The development of materials with their unit dimensions lying in the nanoscale represents the most significant sector of the rapidly rising nanotechnology. EcoResources invests in the design and incorporation of nanomaterials in the field of biomedicine but also in more traditional technology fields such as the treatment and purification of drinking water and exhaust gases. In addition, EcoResources optimizes methods for their synthesis starting from low-cost raw materials, their recovery after use and their reuse. In this frame, EcoResources collaboration with research organizations resulted in the invention of two innovative products based on inorganic nanoparticles, oriented to the removal of heavy metals from water and the localized release of heat and drugs on cancer tissues, respectively. The products are protected by corresponding patents (ES2621190, GR20170100132) being tested in laboratory scale towards their commercial exploitation.

Production and consumption rates in the EU drive an environmental and geopolitical crisis of resource scarcity and waste production; the mining of minerals and metals from the Earth produces annually vast amounts of by-products and wastes. In a circular economy, waste that can be recycled is injected back into the economy as secondary raw materials. These materials can be traded and shipped just like primary raw materials but, at present, they still account for only a small proportion of the materials used in the EU. EcoResources is targeting to the core of this issue by investing in oriented research on this particular field. In close collaboration with mining companies, EcoResources is re-examining their waste streams as potential sources of alternative products while minimizing the environmental footprint and ensuring an enhanced dialogue framework between industry and society.

With the advent of nanotechnology into the pharmaceutical and cosmeceutical field, the novel field of nanomedicine was born. Due to their unique properties in terms of size, conformation and targeted delivery, nanomedicines are able to overcome many drawbacks of conventional medicine. As nano-sized formulations have made their way into more and more therapies, it has become clear that these very unique properties create hurdles for nanomedicines in successfully traversing the regulatory pathways and there is a need to develop nanomedicines, as well as cosmetics with bioactive ingredients (cosmeceuticals) in a more controlled and consistent fashion.

Ecoresources, utilizing the elements of a quality by design (QbD) enables the development of nano-based formulations (pharmaceutical and/or cosmeceutical) in a way that maximizes the possibility of success.

Securing a sustainable supply of raw materials is a key priority for the EU. Raw materials, such as metals and minerals, have become increasingly important to the EU’s economy, growth, and competitiveness. Even if we recycle better and more, primary raw materials will continue to play an important role in the economy. EcoResources holds a strong academic and research background in the whole chain of the raw materials production chain: exploration, evaluation, validation, production and operation management. Moreover, special attention is given by EcoResources to Critical Raw Materials (CRMs) sector, which are those elements that are economically and strategically important for the economy but have a high risk associated with their supply. It is important to note that these materials are not classified as “critical” because they are considered scarce; rather, they are classified as such because they have a significant economic importance for key sectors in the economy, such as consumer electronics, environmental technologies, automotive, aerospace, defense, health, and steel.