At the recent COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, Inger Andersen emphasized the importance of transitioning to a circular economy for a sustainable future. In Belfast, the QUILL research center at Queen’s University is at the forefront of this shift. Professor Peter Nockemann and his team are leveraging the unique properties of ionic liquids to revolutionize recycling processes, particularly in recovering rare earth metals from magnets used in renewable energy technologies. Their method avoids harsh acids and harmful solvents, achieving a purity level of about 99.9% for the recovered materials. This contributes to a truly circular approach, reducing the need for mining rare earth metals. Collaboration with industry partners like Seren Technologies and Chevron enhances the commercialization of their technologies. QUILL is also researching redox flow batteries using abundant metals like iron, which is more sustainable than vanadium. This innovation addresses the scarcity and environmental impact of critical metals. Moreover, their work on hydrogen fuel cells aims to improve efficiency and reduce costs by utilizing ionic liquids in membranes and catalyst layers. The center's dedication to sustainability and environmental leadership is evident through its focus on developing innovative solutions for a more eco-friendly future. By combining cutting-edge research with industry partnerships, QUILL is driving the adoption of circular economy practices and advancing renewable energy technologies.