RAW MATTERS

Peter Tom Jones (SIM² KU Leuven)

🎙️ Welcome to RAW MATTERS, your v/podcast about the critical metals and minerals that determine our common future, hosted by Peter Tom Jones (SIM² KU Leuven) and Julia Poliscanova (Transport & Environment). Hosted by Peter Tom Jones (Director, KU Leuven Institute for Sustainable Metals and Minerals) and Julia Poliscanova (Senior Director for Electric Vehicles & Batteries at Transport & Environment), the vodcast brings together leading voices from around the world — across civil society, academia, industry, and policymaking. Episodes will unpack key topics such as the increasing weaponisation of critical minerals; the future of green steelmaking; the complex supply chains for rare earths, lithium and other critical minerals; the production and recycling of batteries, magnets and EVs; and the search for benefit-sharing responsible mining models. Whether you're a policymaker, researcher, investor, or simply curious, RAW MATTERS is your gateway to the debates shaping our common future.

  1. 1 day ago

    “Can Europe decarbonise without Chinese cleantech?” [Victor van Hoorn, Hosts: Jones/Destresse S2:E1]

    "Let's just buy Chinese EVs, batteries or solar panels. Problem solved." Or is it? If Europe imports everything needed for the green transition, what happens to our industry, our jobs, our innovation capacity and our economic resilience? This is the core question we address in the first Episode of Season 2 of the RAW MATTERS podcast. For this episode, hosts Peter Tom Jones and Agathe Destresse welcome Victor van Hoorn, Director of Cleantech for Europe, for a fast-paced discussion on the future of Europe's clean-tech economy. Together, they tackle some of the most urgent questions facing Europe: ✅ Is Europe's cleantech industry thriving or merely surviving? ✅ How did China build its overwhelming dominance across batteries, solar PV, wind power and advanced manufacturing? ✅ Why are critical minerals the forgotten foundation of the climate transition? ✅ Can Europe achieve climate neutrality while relying on imported cleantech? ✅ What happens if Europe loses control over the industries that power the energy transition? ✅ And most importantly: what must Europe do before 2030 to remain competitive? From lithium and rare earths to batteries, electric vehicles, industrial strategy and strategic autonomy, this episode explores the uncomfortable reality behind Europe's green ambitions. No minerals. No cleantech. No transition. Europe faces a historic choice. Become a technology maker. Or become a technology taker. Welcome to Season 2 of RAW MATTERS.

  2. 1 Jul

    Ann Mettler on Europe's toxic complacency, cleantech challenge & energy security crisis (RM#12)

    We end Season 1 of the Raw Matters podcast with a big bang. We close with a conversation that goes straight to the heart of Europe’s competitiveness and energy‑security challenge. After a season of deep dives into critical minerals, geopolitics and industrial strategy, we end with someone who has shaped Europe’s thinking at the highest levels: Ann Mettler, President of Catalyse Europe, former VP at Breakthrough Energy (with Bill Gates), and one of Europe’s sharpest voices on industrial strategy and clean tech. Hosts Peter Tom Jones and Julia Poliscanova open with the uncomfortable question: How did Europe manage to deepen its fossil‑fuel dependencies while simultaneously creating new ones for the clean‑energy transition? This paradox sets the tone for a conversation about Europe’s "toxic complacency" - a theme Ann has highlighted repeatedly (cf. Quote by Sir Richard Shirreff), and one that now defines the continent’s strategic vulnerability. We explore Ann’s professional journey, then dive into the big issues: 👉 The staggering cost of Europe’s fossil‑fuel exposure, from Ukraine to the Hormuz crisis. 👉 Whether the Draghi report’s diagnosis of Europe’s competitiveness gap is being acted upon. 👉 Why Europe’s energy security - in fuels, technologies and critical minerals - remains fragile. From there, we zoom into cleantech: the battleground where Europe’s future will be decided. Ann explains why Europe cannot rely on cheap imported batteries - the general‑purpose technology of the electrification age, essential not only for EVs but also for stationary storage and defence (drones, humanoid robots). “We cannot and should not rely on China for critical infrastructure.” We discuss which technologies Europe must fight to keep, which ones to onshore, and which ones to strategically let go. And which Asian partners Europe should work with and why technology alliances matter. We close with the policy angle. Ann deliberately avoids commenting on specific policy files (CRMA, IAA, Circular Economy Act…). Instead, she exposes the systemic problem: silo‑based policymaking in the EU and the lack of people in Brussels who genuinely understand how industry works, how technology functions or how investments are made. Echoing Salvatore Pinizzotto, she calls for real synchronisation in policymaking and genuine “ecosystem building”, overcoming the endemic “professional optimism” in the Brussels bubble. This GRANDE FINALE is a wake‑up call. Unless Europe confronts its toxic complacency, it will continue drifting into deeper dependency at the very moment it needs strategic autonomy the most.

  3. 29 Jun

    "Stop dawdling: Central Asia's critical minerals revolution is here" (Amir Abidov, RM#11)

    Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan are ready to do CRM business with the EU but will not wait forever. Europe must decide quickly. Get on the bus or get left behind. Some hard talk by Amir Abidov (UzTMK) in the Raw Matters podcast (Episode #11), hosted by Peter Tom Jones and Julia Poliscanova. After months of posts, debates, MoU’s and Julia’s jokes about my “Central Asia obsession”, we finally bring Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan into the centre of Europe’s critical minerals narrative - where they belong. For this episode we welcomed Amir Abidov, Deputy Chairman of TMK (Uzbekistan Technological Metals Complex), the massive state-led CRM company in Uzbekistan (population: 39 million). Getting Amir into the studio was a journey in itself, involving last-minute travel across Europe, a stop at Neo Performance Materials Silmet in Estonia, excessive heat, and a shared determination to make sure Central Asia speaks for itself in the EU CRM debate. We open with the big picture: both Uzbekistan and #Kazakhstan have signed Strategic Partnerships with the EU. Both are rich in critical minerals. Both are moving fast. And both are ready to do business with Europe - now. The question is whether Europe can keep up. With Amir, we explore Uzbekistan’s resource potential. We compare UZ and KZ - two neighbours with different strategies, different industrial legacies, and a different energy basis. A key theme is the Green Resource Curse and how Uzbekistan can overcome it. Or better: how it is already taking massive strides in overcoming it. Amir explains how Uzbekistan is building real midstream and downstream cleantech capacity rather than just exporting raw materials. We then confront the geopolitical reality: Can Europe offer a credible, respectful, win‑win collaboration model - or will it miss the bus? We compare the Chinese, US and EU approaches, discuss the CRMA, and outline what Uzbekistan actually expects from Europe: technology transfer, expertise and offtake. We also touch on the role of bottom‑up collaboration with research centres (such as SOLVOMET R&T Centre (KU Leuven)’s collaboration on rare-earth SX with UzTMK) as a complement to top‑down EU policy. In the ideal world both strategies support each other. This episode is a wake‑up call for all Europeans. We need to recalibrate our position in the world, be more humble and react faster. Europe must decide whether it wants to be on the bus, or watch it drive away.

  4. 24 Jun

    How to make European Metals Great(er) Again? [James Watson, Julia Poliscanova, Peter Tom Jones RM10]

    How to make European Metals Great(er) Again? [James Watson, RAW MATTERS #10] A mine without a refinery is just a hole in the ground. Time to dive into the refining - and broader midstream - side of Europe’s mine-to-cleantech supply chains. Let’s not beat about the bush: Europe’s metal sector is under serious pressure. So how do we move from surviving to thriving? In this new RAW MATTERS episode, hosts Peter Tom Jones and Julia Poliscanova welcome James Watson, Director General of European Metals, for a no-nonsense discussion on the current state and future of Europe’s metals sector. 🔥 What we unpack in this episode: 1. Europe’s midstream problem - and why it matters Refining is the choke point of the entire value chain, where China’s dominance really hurts (from lithium to copper, from nickel to aluminium). Yet margins are collapsing, global competition is fierce, and even industry leaders are questioning the viability of European smelters (cf. Trafigura’s CEO Richard Holtum at the EIT RM Summit) 2. A dangerous disconnect across the value chain We connect the dots between: • Upstream: limited domestic mining & fragile sourcing • Midstream: struggling refining capacity and pCAM/CAM production • Downstream: an automotive sector under pressure 3. Europe is leaking its own resources Scrap. Black mass. Secondary materials. The paradox of the circular economy: while Europe talks recycling, strategic materials are flowing out of the continent. “China sucks away the scrap from our urban mines, starving our smelters,” says Watson. 4. Policy ambition vs. industrial reality CRMA. NZIA. Circular Economy Act. IAA. Europe excels at setting ambition - but execution lags behind. Two years in, progress on strategic projects is… underwhelming. And the clock is ticking. Will Europe miss the bus? 💡 The core message? Critical raw materials are not just commodities. They are synchronisation assets - linking mining, refining, manufacturing, energy, defence, and finance. And Europe’s real challenge is not geology. It’s governance, coordination, and industrial courage. 🎧 If you care about Europe’s industrial future, this is one you cannot miss.

  5. 15 Jun

    “Can responsible mining truly exist? How IRMA shows the way forward” [Cecilia Mattea, RM#9]

    🎙️ “Can responsible mining truly exist? How IRMA shows the way forward” [Cecilia Mattea, Julia Poliscanova, Peter Tom Jones - RM#9] As the global energy transition accelerates, so does the demand for critical raw materials. But this raises a fundamental question: can responsible mining truly exist? In this episode of RAW MATTERS, host Peter Tom Jones and co-host Julia Poliscanova are joined by Cecilia Mattea (IRMA) to unpack one of the most pressing dilemmas of the energy transition. 🎯 What you’ll learn in this episode: • Why more mining is unavoidable - even under the most optimistic circular economy scenarios • What “responsible mining” actually means in practice - beyond slogans and green claims • How IRMA works as a global standard for environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance (examples covered: Imerys’ EMILI project in France; Eramet in Senegal; AngloAmerican in South Africa, Brazil, Peru and Chile; Novandino in Chile] • Why third-party audits and scoring systems matter for building trust across supply chains • The true cost of responsible mining - and why it is surprisingly small compared to total project investments • Europe’s mining paradox (“The elephant in the room”): ambitious policy goals vs. strong local resistance to new projects • Whether Europe is outsourcing environmental and social impacts through continued reliance on imports • How to balance urgency and legitimacy - fast-tracking projects vs. meaningful community engagement (including FPIC) • What recent Nordic debates reveal about (reindeer-herding Sami) tensions between speed, scale, and social acceptance • The growing role of EU policy and due diligence, including the Battery Regulation and corporate sustainability frameworks • Why responsible mining is central to the credibility of the energy transition itself 🎙️ Why this episode matters Without trust, transparency and accountability, the mining projects needed to decarbonise our economies may simply not happen. 🎧 RAW MATTERS is your go-to podcast on the geopolitics, sustainability and future of critical raw materials. Follow us on YouTube, Apple, Spotify and LinkedIn.

  6. 9 Jun

    The Umicore perspective on why battery recycling isn’t scaling in Europe (yet) [Cédric Demonthy, RM#8]

    To recycle or not to recycle lithium‑ion batteries in Europe? That’s no longer a theoretical question - it’s a strategic one. In this episode of RAW MATTERS, hosts Peter Tom Jones and Julia Poliscanova sit down with Cédric Demonthy, Vice-President of Battery Recycling Solutions at Umicore, to unpack one of the most critical - and misunderstood - pillars of Europe’s clean energy transition. From cutting-edge technology to hard economic realities, this conversation goes far beyond the usual optimism around circularity. What you will learn in this episode: • Why Europe already has world-class battery recycling technology - but still struggles to scale it • The logic behind Umicore’s pyro‑(lean) hydrometallurgical approach, and why it remains superior in terms of technical and environmental performance • The fundamental difference between NMC and LFP recycling, and why not all batteries are equal in a circular economy • Why the real bottleneck is not technology, but economics - including feedstock scarcity and weak market demand (in the EU) • How black mass leakage to Asia undermines Europe’s circular ambitions • What lessons Europe should draw from the Northvolt debacle • Why policy, enforcement, and investment certainty will determine whether recycling actually happens at scale The key takeaway? Battery recycling in Europe is technically feasible - but economically fragile. Without alignment, consistent rules, and real control over material flows, Europe risks exporting its waste… and re-importing the value. This isn’t about adding more frameworks – it’s about clarity: setting the course, sticking to it, and making the system work in practice. If Europe wants to build a truly strategic battery ecosystem, closing the loop is not optional - it’s essential. RAW MATTERS is your go-to podcast on the geopolitics, sustainability, and industrial strategy of critical raw materials shaping our common future.

  7. 31 May

    "Do we really need 293 new (critical mineral) mines - or just a new mindset?" [Bryan Bille, RM#7]

    Do we really need 293 new (critical mineral) mines for the energy transition – or just a new mindset? Will some of those copper, lithium, graphite, rare-earth… mines be built in the EU or will Europeans continue to ask the Global South to carry the burden? Bryan Bille of Benchmark Minerals joined the RAW MATTERS podcast to unpack China’s dominance, Europe’s execution gap, and the brutal realities of the global critical minerals race. Episode #7: “The Great CRM Reality Check: Mining, China, and Europe’s Race Against Time” (Bryan Bille, Julia Poliscanova, Peter Tom Jones (May 2026)) The global energy transition runs on critical minerals - but the Western world is nowhere near ready. In this explosive episode, Julia Poliscanova and Peter Tom Jones sit down with Bryan Bille, Policy & Geopolitical Lead at Benchmark Mineral Intelligence, to break down the hard truths behind supply, demand, geopolitics, and China’s overwhelming dominance. From BMI’s headline figure of 293 new mines needed by 2030, to Europe’s chronic inability to turn MoUs into real projects, this conversation cuts through the noise and exposes the structural weaknesses shaping the next decade of EVs, batteries, magnets and clean‑tech supply chains. We tackle the big questions: • Do we truly need 293 new (Cu, Li, Ni, graphite…) mines by 2030 - and where will they be built? • Are recycling and demand‑side measures enough, or political fantasy? • Why does China still control the upstream, midstream and the pace of the transition? • Can Europe derisk and diversify supply chains, collaborating with the likes of Kazakhstan & Uzbekistan, or will the EU miss the metaphorical (CRM synchronization execution) bus for good? • What tools - from CRMA to IAA to real public‑private partnerships - could finally make Europe competitive? If you care about the geopolitics of cleantech, this is an episode you cannot afford to miss.

  8. 28 Apr

    “How China can switch off Europe's wind turbines” [Alberic Mongrenier, RM #6]

    “Minerals, Missiles and Megawatts: Europe’s Strategic Vulnerability”. A new Raw Matters podcast with Alberic Mongrenier, Julia Poliscanova and Peter Tom Jones, on the Mineral Security Trap and why Europe can’t afford naivety. SUMMARY In Episode #6 of RAW MATTERS, hosts Julia Poliscanova and Peter Tom Jones speak with Albéric Mongrenier, Executive Director of the European Initiative for Energy Security (EIES). Together, they explore how critical raw materials, energy security, cybersecurity, and military demand are becoming tightly interlinked in today’s unstable geopolitical landscape. The conversation examines how CRMs underpin both the clean‑energy transition – from wind turbines and batteries to electrolysers – and the defence sector, including F‑35 fighter jets, drones and missile systems. Albéric also highlights a growing blind spot in Europe: the cybersecurity risks created by widespread dependence on Chinese inverters and digital components in solar panels, wind turbines, EVs and grid infrastructure. This reliance gives external actors potential leverage over Europe’s electricity systems, from data harvesting to the theoretical ability to trigger grid‑level disruptions. As Albéric notes, Europe remains surprisingly naïve about these vulnerabilities. The episode further contrasts the strategic responses of the US and EU, from the Trump-led (aggressive) top-down mineral partnerships and state capitalist measures to Europe’s (timid) efforts to strengthen its energy, digital and military resilience. Albéric Mongrenier Albéric serves as Executive Director of EIES, the European Initiative for Energy Security, where he develops and builds support for national and supra-national policies that drive energy and national security across the European continent. Albéric is an energy policy expert with over a dozen years of experience at the intersection of energy and security. 🎙️RAW MATTERS is your podcast about the critical minerals that determine our common future. Hosted by Peter Tom Jones (Director SIM2 KU Leuven) and Julia Poliscanova (she/her) (Senior Director at T&E) and directed by Stijn van Baarle, the podcast brings together leading voices from around the world.

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About

🎙️ Welcome to RAW MATTERS, your v/podcast about the critical metals and minerals that determine our common future, hosted by Peter Tom Jones (SIM² KU Leuven) and Julia Poliscanova (Transport & Environment). Hosted by Peter Tom Jones (Director, KU Leuven Institute for Sustainable Metals and Minerals) and Julia Poliscanova (Senior Director for Electric Vehicles & Batteries at Transport & Environment), the vodcast brings together leading voices from around the world — across civil society, academia, industry, and policymaking. Episodes will unpack key topics such as the increasing weaponisation of critical minerals; the future of green steelmaking; the complex supply chains for rare earths, lithium and other critical minerals; the production and recycling of batteries, magnets and EVs; and the search for benefit-sharing responsible mining models. Whether you're a policymaker, researcher, investor, or simply curious, RAW MATTERS is your gateway to the debates shaping our common future.

Information

  • Creator
    Peter Tom Jones (SIM² KU Leuven)
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    13
  • Copyright
    © KU LEUVEN
  • Show Website
    RAW MATTERS
  • Provider

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