Meet our researchers

Behind CAMM-CRM stands a team of dedicated researchers whose work advances knowledge and drives innovation across the critical raw materials value chain.

Nils Jansson

As Director of CAMM-CRM, Nils Jansson leads the centre’s mission to strengthen Europe’s access to critical raw materials through research, innovation and responsible resource development. CAMM-CRM brings together expertise across the entire raw-materials value chain – from geological exploration and ore characterisation to processing, recycling and environmental impact. In his recent interview, Nils highlights how the centre is driving solutions that support the green transition by identifying sustainable sources of key metals and improving circular material flows.
Read the interview here.

Lena Sundqvist-Öqvist

Professor Lena Sundqvist-Öqvist has been at the forefront of rare earth element research in Sweden, serving as REE Research Pillar Leader for CAMM-CRM while also contributing decades of expertise in process metallurgy at Luleå University of Technology. In our conversation, she explores the opportunities and challenges of building a sustainable European value chain for critical materials, and shares what motivates her in this rapidly evolving field.

What do you see as the most exciting opportunity for Sweden in rare earth element research?

I think there are several exciting opportunities. Even from an overview perspective, it is inspiring that we can contribute to the entire value chain needed to enable the extraction of rare earth elements – so that this kind of production actually takes place in Sweden and Europe, and we can supply REE within the region. Achieving that would be truly exciting.

I also believe that our collaboration with industrial partners, as well as exploring the scientific aspects of the process, is really interesting. The work is driven by curiosity and by developing an understanding of how the chemical systems we use actually function. Gaining insights into each process step can meaningfully support the development of industrial processes. So, when companies work at pilot and demo scale, hopefully our research will contribute to their understanding and adoption of the various process steps.

It is also exciting to train researchers and build knowledge within our field so that we can contribute to this value chain. This is something we are actively developing through our ongoing projects. We will learn a lot, and this will create opportunities for new people to work in these applications – and eventually for companies that plan to establish extraction of rare earth elements and phosphorus.

So, in many ways, there are numerous exciting contributions we can make. And of course, it’s always rewarding to see that the research is implemented in practice. But the knowledge itself is exciting too.

Why is rare earth element research so important right now – for Europe and Sweden specifically?

I think the key reason is securing the supply for Europe and Sweden. But we also need to consider the entire value chain. At the moment, we are quite strong in mining and extraction, but less so downstream – there are not many initiatives focused on producing magnets, for example. And that will be essential in the future. We need stronger links to companies that actually produce magnets.

What motivated you personally to lead this research pillar within CAMM-CRM?

One important motivation is the collaboration we have had with industry so far – it has been really good, which makes the work both enjoyable and meaningful to continue.

Another motivation is my own curiosity. The more you learn about this topic – how the different parts of the process are composed chemically and what types of reactions occur – the more fascinating the scientific aspects become. I think most researchers are driven by curiosity, and that is true for me as well.

What impact do you think this research will have?

One important impact is that we can help secure the supply of rare earth elements for Sweden and Europe. Another is the development of competence. The expertise related to REE and phosphorus can strengthen other types of knowledge and experience that grow from this research.

For LTU, I think this work is valuable for branding and demonstrating our expertise in hydrometallurgy – not only for REE but in general. It is important for expanding our research activities, both in capacity and quality, and for putting LTU on the map.

If you could sum up this pillar’s mission in one sentence, what would it be?

I would say its mission is to contribute to a sustainable value chain for rare earth elements in Sweden and Europe – ensuring the whole value chain is in place while not forgetting the environmental aspects linked to extraction.