About us

CRITICAL. develops unprecedented combinations of existing technologies for the sustainable and maximum recovery of Critical Raw Materials ('CRMs') from electronic and industrial waste. Our projects contribute to a Circular Economy and build a future in which CRMs remain available for future generations.

We are a developer and future operator of ambitious Critical Raw Materials projects 

CRITICAL. was founded in late-September 2024 by Niels Wagemaker, co-founder of Circular Industries (November 2017).

In December 2024, the Intellectual Property (‘IP’) and assets of Circular Industries were acquired by Niels Wagemaker. 
The IP concerns the development of the Urban Mining Factory (‘UMF’) project, aimed at the maximum and sustainable recovery of (Critical) Raw Materials from Waste Printed Circuit Boards ('WPCBs').

The UMF is one of the projects we are responsible for and will continue to develop. ​The potential of this project is enormous and the knowledge gained is literally worth gold.

CRITICAL. will expand its team, in the course of Q1 2025, with new 'Criticalians'. By the end of Q1 2025, 6 Criticalians will be working on the most challenging projects for the recovery of Critical Raw Materials from complex metal-containing waste streams, in particular e-waste.

Niels Wagemaker presenting in Rome, at the request of the Dutch embassy in Italy. Octo​ber 17th 2024.