In a nutshell
MareMag LIFE is a close-to-market project proving an operational-scale, renewables-powered process to extract magnesium hydroxide (Mg(OH)₂) from bittern, the brine left after salt harvesting.
Our goal: eliminate hazardous chemicals, cut CO₂ emissions, save freshwater, and offer a safer alternative to brominated flame retardants, while strengthening Europe’s supply of a critical raw material.
Why it stands out
- Circular economy in action: turning saltworks brines into valuable secondary raw material.
- Safer by design: avoids hazardous reagents and replaces brominated flame retardants with Mg(OH)₂.
- Powered by renewables: a fully decarbonized production pathway.
- Built for replication: second plant installed in Greece + roadmap for EU saltworks.
“MareMag will influence market practices as it is a close-to-market project, whose aim is not only to provide valid environmental solutions but also to ensure their adoption by society at large scale.” – Simonetta Pulicati
What changes on the ground
- Cleaner chemistry: fewer harmful substances across the value chain.
- Lower footprint: reduced GHG emissions, freshwater use, and land take by leveraging existing saltworks.
- Stronger autonomy: less EU dependence on imported magnesium compounds.
Partners & buy-in
A broad stakeholder base; NGOs, local authorities, financiers, and industry leaders (Groupe Salins, Europiren) was engaged early, securing support letters to accelerate permitting, uptake, and market pull.
Monitoring & risk control
A holistic monitoring system (environmental, technical, financial) ensures early risk mitigation and data-driven decisions throughout implementation.
Scale & replication
- Twin-track deployment: Trapani (IT) → Kitros (GR) during the project.
- EU roll-out: additional saltworks mapped for transfer post-validation.
- After-LIFE plan: technical + business validation toward a 15,000 t/year facility in Trapani; market entry for three product lines: flame retardants, environmental applications, detergents.
Policy & market impact
By delivering a bankable circular process and product, MareMag LIFE is set to influence procurement choices, industrial formulations (non-halogenated FRs), and national circular-economy strategies aligned with Italy’s Ecological Transition Plan.
Takeaways for applicants
Winning LIFE proposals are clear, coherent, and evidenced:
- Right consortium
- Crisp objectives
- Realistic budget & timeline
- Measurable results
- Replication business case
All explicitly mapped to LIFE award criteria.
LIFE success
From salt-pan brine to clean magnesium, cutting hazards, carbon, and imports while powering Europe’s circular economy.
