1. In a nutshell, could you briefly describe what RELiEF is all about?
RELiEF project is about reducing Lithium (Li) waste from unused secondary Li sources.
2. What is the impact of RELiEF? Who will benefit the most?
The impact is multidimensional. It covers, among others , the environment (waste reduction), social (sustainability awareness), political and institutional (implementation of effective policies to encourage and support circular business models), battery factories (adoption of recycling in battery manufacture).
3. Could you briefly describe your institutional and personal role within the RELiEF project?
The institution's role is to coordinate the project, providing a defined organizational framework, guidance, supervision, and revision of all project activities. At the scientific level, it provides support in the pre-treatment, characterization, material validation, and process demonstration. The project's coordination is my personal role.
4. Which results have already been achieved on your end and what will be the next milestones?
Apart from the ongoing activities that the coordination entails, so far, we have reported on the use cases, KPI and test definition as well as materials and intermediate requirements. Results that are essential to precisely defining the project's guiding criteria. The next milestone is to ensure the delivery of the waste pre-processed material to conduct the effective leaching processes.
5. For you personally, what has been the most exciting/most challenging part of the project so far?
There are numerous aspects of the project that I am excited about. The fact of connecting with people towards a common goal is exciting. Every partner has their own viewpoint and expertise in the field, so being able to connect with them, learn, and solve practical problems is what I enjoy the most.
6. Which are the most significant challenges and opportunities related to the recycling of raw materials in your opinion?
The hardest part, in my opinion, is to translate recycling and sustainability concepts and/or ideas—which often are very ambitious—into practical, effective solutions. But once a solution is found, it inspires the next one, and one realizes that earlier recycling challenges are easier to solve than previously believed.
7. How will RELiEF concretely contribute to the reduction of lithium waste in the future?
RELiEF offers the opportunity to combine innovative recycling technologies and exploitation strategies into one main goal, to reduce the Li waste. The outcome of the project will definitely help to improving future recycling processes as it implements a panel of different recycling technologies and unique scientific expertise that would not otherwise be possible to integrate.
