Pär Jonsén, Chief Technology Officer at LKAB, speaks at WISE Dialogue 2026

Start / News / Pär Jonsén, Chief Technology Officer at LKAB, speaks at WISE Dialogue 2026

Pär has had a long career in technology, industry, and research, and today he serves as Chief Technology Officer at LKAB Business Area Special Products.

In his talk, Pär will present LKAB’s new plans to extract critical minerals from mining waste. This includes the strategy for research and development in mineral processing, as well as the challenges of scaling technologies from laboratory scale to pilot, demonstration, and ultimately full industrial scale.

Why is this topic important for LKAB and the industry as a whole?

The world is constantly evolving, and we clearly see that the demand for base materials will continue to grow. At the same time, new types of materials such as rare earth elements (REEs) and other critical minerals are becoming increasingly important in a highly unbalanced global market.

There is a real risk that Europe may fall behind in the global race for access to critical minerals and materials. The current geopolitical situation further highlights the urgency and strategic importance of securing these resources.

What breakthrough in sustainable materials inspires you the most today?

If I were to highlight one breakthrough in sustainable materials that truly inspires me today, it would be hydrogen-based, fossil-free steel, particularly the HYBRIT development here in northern Sweden.

This initiative is also on a demanding upscaling journey, very similar to what we are experiencing in the development of critical minerals.

What do you hope participants will take away from your talk?

Sweden is home to several highly interesting projects and is currently undergoing an important industrial transformation. However, this transition also brings significant challenges.

There is a substantial shortage of expertise, and a long development journey lies ahead for universities, research institutes, and industry across Europe and the wider Western world. New skills and competencies are needed at all levels, and many more people must become engaged in addressing these challenges if we are to succeed.