Critical raw materials and sustainable use of natural resources are at the heart of Siiri Perämäki’s research

Senior Lecturer Siiri Perämäki’s research at the University of Jyväskylä is focused on the recovery of critical raw materials, particularly rare earth elements. Her work aims to recycle metals, which promotes both environmental protection and the green transition. She finds her work meaningful not only because of her research results, but also because of its impacts. 

“With the right solutions, we can reduce environmental impact and get other actors involved in doing their part,” says Perämäki. “Research related to rare earth elements – which are classified as critical raw materials – is particularly timely from a geopolitical perspective and plays a key role in building self-sufficiency and a sustainable future for Europe and Finland.” 

Bringing critical raw materials back into use

The two-year REEVIVE project, which began in February, is exceptionally important to Perämäki, as it marks a new phase in her research career and brings together her previous research experience. A central aim in the project is to find out in where rare earth elements could be recovered from in the future other than by mining. Perämäki has been in charge of the project from start to finish, beginning with the funding application, and the project strongly reflects her own expertise and field of research. 

“End-of-life electronic waste contains, among other things, permanent magnets, which are a significant source of valuable metals such as neodymium, praseodymium and dysprosium,” Perämäki explains. “The project is focused on the recovery and sustainable utilisation of metals used in magnets as part of solutions based on circular economy.” 

Perämäki feels that through this project she can have a concrete impact on both a sustainable materials economy and future industrial solutions, which also makes the project societally significant. Six companies have already committed to the project, providing funding for the research and supporting it by participating in the steering group.

“This shows that our research is responding to a real and timely need and that companies are truly seeking solutions,” Perämäki says. “It’s inspiring to see that this topic resonates with people and brings different stakeholders together to work for shared goals.”

The University of Jyväskylä is coordinating the project under Perämäki’s leadership. REEVIVE is a two-year project funded by Business Finland, set to run from 2026 to 2028. The project’s other research partner is the Finnish Environment Institute (Syke).

Towards longer-lasting devices

Perämäki’s research team is also involved in the DemoEPR project. It is a large European project (EU Horizon) involving 24 partners from 13 countries. The project’s total budget is approximately 5 million euros. The project is coordinated by the Finnish Environment Institute (Syke), while the University of Jyväskylä accounts for one of its major work packages.  

“Our work in DemoEPR is focused on enhancing the circular economy for critical raw materials, especially for ICT devices such as computers, laptops and smartphones,” explains Perämäki. “The goal of the project is to develop solutions that keep the devices in circulation for as long as possible.”  

A key theme of the project include is the development of extended producer responsibility toward a circular economy as well as digital solutions that allow material flows to be tracked and managed more efficiently than before. The project will also examine how devices could be designed and manufactured to be more repairable and recyclable, that is, how they can be reused, repaired, returned to circulation, and ultimately recycled efficiently so that valuable and critical raw materials can be recovered.  

DemoEPR has received a funding decision, and the consortium agreement is currently being drafted. The project is planned to launch on 1 August 2026 and will last for three and a half years.  

How to get rid of PFAS compounds?

Perämäki is also involved in coordinating a Co-Research project application for Business Finland, together with VTT, the Technical Research Centre of Finland and Syke. A large group of companies from various sectors have been contacted to participate. The project aims at developing solutions to analyse and remove PFAS compounds. PFAS compounds are perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, which are extremely slow to decompose in the environment, and which get accumulated in living organisms and cause health risks.

“The persistence and accumulation of PFAS compounds in food chains make them an especially challenging environmental and health problem,” Perämäki emphasises, “which is why restricting their use and developing reliable analytics and removal solutions is more important than ever.” 

Environmentally friendly methods at the core of her research team’s work

Over the next few years, Perämäki’s goal is to clarify the identity of her recently officially established research team and build it into a strong and independent group. The team is focused on the recovery of critical raw materials and precious metals using sustainable and environmentally friendly methods. 

“In my research, I make use of organic acids, for example, which can offer a greener alternative to traditional processes that place a greater burden on the environment,” Perämäki explains.

Another key research focus is the use of wastes and side streams from industry as raw materials for absorbents, which supports the circular economy and reduces the need for virgin materials. The goal is to develop solutions that combine efficient material management, environmental protection and industrially viable applications.

Companies actively involved in research projects

The recovery of critical raw materials, and rare earth elements in particular, has sparked companies’ interest in the research projects led by Perämäki. 

“My projects aim to find ways to recover valuable metals in an environmentally friendly manner, to better utilize industrial waste streams, and to strengthen self-sufficiency in raw materials,” Perämäki says. “For companies, this means not only new business opportunities, but also ways to respond to future environmental and sustainability requirements.” 

Students also benefit from the involvement of companies and organisations, as the research projects feature prominently in Perämäki’s teaching. Current projects are integrated with the studies as concrete examples as well as through course work and theses.

“Companies can hire students for various projects, and in many cases such project work provides important work experience or may even lead to employment,” Perämäki states. 

She encourages students to be active, talk about their interest during courses and to reach out boldly, as the best research projects and thesis opportunities often arise through interaction, alumni contacts and corporate collaboration.