CARM Centre

The CARM Centre was established in Norway September 2025 as the first competency centre in the Nordics for recovery of critical raw materials (CRMs). Formed by NORCE, UIA and MIL we aim to develop systems for automated sorting and recycling of critical materials from discarded products and materials.

The goal is to enable resource utilization and recycling of CRMs from household and commercial waste such as electronics, batteries, vehicles and landfill, an area of increasing strategic importance for green transition and industrial self-sufficiency. The potential for CRM extraction from our waste is huge, but a major bottleneck is in the inefficient sorting and dismantling processes.

The project responds to Europe’s growing need for technological sovereignty and circular economy, in light of vulnerable value chains and increasing waste volumes. With Norway’s high EE waste and low recycling of non-ferrous raw materials, there is a need for new, automated solutions.

CARM will contribute to the development of sensor and AI-powered robots and flexible processes for sorting and recycling, and at the same time strengthen competence, education and innovation in Agder, NORWAY and Europe

The results will contribute to sustainable value chains, new jobs and international competitiveness in green technology and resource recovery.

CARM start-up is funded by the Sørlandets Kompetansefond in 2025–2027 period.