ANTIMONY DAY 2025
PROGRAMME & SPEAKERS/PANELISTS
DAY 1 (17 NOV.)
Securing Strategic Value Chains: The Role of Lithium, Antimony, Gallium and Graphite Materials in Europe’s Green and Digital Transition
12:00 | Registration and light lunch | |
12:50 | Welcome and institutional remarks | |
Raymond Devaux – President, I2A | ||
Katarzyna Palaczanis – Board Member, CRM Alliance
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Peter Handley – Moderator
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13:00 | Opening Keynote
“Europe’s Critical Raw Materials Act: What’s Next?”
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Securing access to critical raw materials is one of Europe’s key strategic challenges. As the Critical Raw Materials Act takes shape, attention turns to what’s effective, what gaps remain, and how policy can drive industrial resilience and sustainability. | ||
Michal Spiechowicz – Policy Officer of DG DEFIS, European Commission –
Securing Strategic Value Chains for Europe’s Defence and Space Industries.
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Albéric Mongrenier – Executive Director, European Initiative for Energy Security
Critical Raw Materials and the EU’s economic and defence resilience.
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Joris Teer – Research Analyst, European Institute for Security Studies
Outlook for securing Critical Raw Materials
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Nicolas Goffaux – MineSpans Asset Leader, McKinsey
Global Strategic Outlook: Materials Under Pressure: Global Dynamics, Local Realities
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14:30 | Coffee Break | |
15:00 | Spotlight Talk: Antimony, Lithium, Siliceous: The Overlooked Enabler of Resilience | |
Lesser-known materials like antimony, lithium, graphite, gallium, and germanium are vital to Europe’s energy, tech, and defence sectors. As demand rises, securing their supply and strategic use will be key to long-term resilience. | ||
Amar Kaadouch – Sales Manager Precious and Minor Metals, Umicore
Antimony, Lithium, Graphite: The Overlooked Enablers of Resilience
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Anton Aranzabal – Director General, Graftech/President, ECGA
The role of graphite in Europe’s economic and defence resilience
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Solomon Cefai – MineSpans Asset Senior Price Reporter, Fastmarkets/Minor Metals Trade Association
Gallium and Germanium: Geopolitical Dynamics Shaping Minor Metals Markets
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16:15 | Innovation & Circularity: From Primary to Secondary: Unlocking the Circular Potential
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Transitioning from primary to secondary raw materials is key to unlocking circular potential. Innovation in recycling and material recovery can drive sustainability, reduce dependency, and strengthen industrial resilience. | ||
Hendrik Engelkamp – Policy Officer of DG ENV, European Commission | ||
Michael Blakeney – President, CRM Alliance/Head of Government and Public Affairs, Cobalt Institute | ||
Dr. Stian Madshus – Senior Vice President Sales, Marketing and Strategy, Vianode | ||
Hans Vercammen – Division Director Specialty Chemicals, Campine | ||
17:00 | Closing Remarks | |
Michael Blakeney – President, CRM Alliance | ||
Lars Hintz – Board Member, International Antimony Association | ||
17:45 | Networking Cocktail | |
DAY 2 (18 NOV.)
Antimony: The Element Europe Can’t Ignore
Critical, strategic, indispensable
8:45 | Coffee and registration | |
9:30 | Welcome & Institutional Remarks | |
Wim de Vos– CEO, Campine | ||
David Rose– Moderator | ||
9:45 | Beyond Tariffs and Tensions: Crafting Europe’s Competitive Edge in a Divided World
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In a fragmented global landscape, Europe must rethink its industrial strategy to secure its economic future. Critical raw materials highlight the need for a resilient, competitive, and autonomous approach – balancing open trade with sovereignty, and innovation with security. | ||
Dr. Antonios Nestoras Founder and CEO, European Policy Innovation Council | ||
Dr. Peter Tom Jones Director, SIM2 KU Leuven | ||
Dr. James Watson Director General, Eurometaux | ||
10:30 | Invisible but Essential: Antimony’s Role in Europe’s Green and Sovereign Future
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Often overlooked, antimony is vital to Europe’s energy transition and strategic autonomy. It strengthens batteries, enhances solar technologies, and plays a key role in defence – from ammunition to flame-retardant materials. Unlocking its potential is essential for decarbonisation, innovation, and industrial resilience. | ||
Melis Arin Sustainability Manager, ICL Industrial Products, representative of BSEF | ||
Francesco Gattiglio Vice President External Affairs, Albemarle Europe | ||
11:15 | Antimony and Power: How China’s Export Controls are Redrawing the Industrial Map
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China’s dominance in antimony exports poses strategic risks for Europe. It threatens industrial competitiveness and highlights the need for diversification, stronger supply chains, and a unified response to safeguard economic and geopolitical stability. | ||
Denis Redonnet Deputy Director General of DG TRADE, European Commission | ||
Dr. Fabian Zuleeg Chief Executive, European Policy Centre | ||
12:00 | Lunch and Networking | |
13:30 | Closing the loop: The future of Antimony Recycling in Europe’s Industrial Strategy | |
Antimony recycling is key to Europe’s circular industrial strategy. Recovering antimony from waste streams can reduce import dependency, support sustainability goals, and strengthen supply chain resilience. | ||
Morvan Gaudin Researcher, DEEEMines | ||
14:00 | Antimony in Innovation: Unlocking the Next Frontier in Materials and Technologies | |
Antimony is driving innovation in batteries, flame retardants, and semiconductors – but rising prices and supply risks challenge its future. Industries are exploring substitutes like zinc borate, and phosphorus compounds to balance performance, cost, and sustainability. | ||
Liam Farley Founder and CEO, Xcelsior Capital | ||
Scott Eldridge Chief Executive Officer, Military Metals Corp. | ||
14:45 | Coffee Break | |
15:15 | Strategic Outlook: Antimony Market Update: Supply, Demand | |
Antimony demand is rising while supply remains constrained by geopolitical shifts and export controls. With prices surging and mining concentrated in few regions, Europe faces strategic decisions on diversification, recycling, and long-term resource planning. | ||
Cristina Belda Deputy Editor, Argus Media | ||
Dr. Nils Backeberg Founder and Director, Project Blue | ||
16:00 | Wrap Up | |
Raymond Devaux President, I2A | ||
19:00 | Social Event | |
SPEAKERS AND PANELISTS
RAYMOND DEVAUX
Raymond Devaux graduated from ULB Belgium (Brussels Polytechnic School) with a degree in chemical engineering. He started his career in the antimony world in 1995 by joining Sica as a sales engineer and later became director of the company in 2002. Since 2012 Raymond has been the president of AMG Antimony (a business unit of AMG Advanced Metallurgical Group N.V.) His responsibilities include strategic raw material purchasing, sales policy, R&D orientation, production improvement, and HQSE. Raymond has been an active member of the International Antimony Association since its inception and more specifically as the chairman of the general assembly.
KATARZYNA PALACZANIS
Katarzyna Palczanis is a Board Member of the Critical Raw Materials Alliance and the incoming Secretary General of the European Carbon and Graphite Association, representing the interests of Europe’s carbon and graphite industry. She has over 20 years of experience in public affairs within the minerals and metals sector, gained across diverse organisations, including the private sector, European trade associations, and international organizations.
PETER HANDLEY
Peter Handley specialises in sustainability and resilience as the founder of his PHASE32 consultancy. His current advisory roles include external senior advisor with McKinsey & Company; special advisor to the Global Council for Responsible Transition Minerals (a Paris Peace Forum initiative); senior fellow with the European Initiative for Energy Security; strategic advisor with the Hague Centre for Strategic Studies, and senior associate with the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership.
MICHAL SPIECHOWICZ
Michal Spiechowicz works as a Policy officer in DG DEFIS, with an expertise in industrial and economic security policies, high-tech and space&defense value chains risk assessment and governance, critical raw materials diplomacy and investments. Graduated as economist at the European University Viadrina in Frankfurt (Oder). Postgraduate diploma in global development policies and management at the Open University in London.
ALBÉRIC MONGRENIER
Albéric Mongrenier 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, previously as Director for Energy, Mobility and Climate at the Centre for Regulation in Europe, in advisory capacities, in energy markets analysis, and as an Editor in Europe, the Middle East and Central Asia. He holds a B.A. in Political Science and a Masters in International Security from Sciences Po's Paris School of International Affairs. A French national, he is a former auditor of France's Institut des hautes études de défense national (IHEDN).
JORIS TEER
Joris Teer is the Research Analyst leading the portfolio on economic security and technology at the EU Institute for Security Studies (EUISS). On behalf of EUISS, he is a Senior Advisor to the Chips Diplomacy Support Initiative (CHIPDIPLO). Prior to joining EUISS, Joris was a China and strategic foresight analyst at the Hague Centre for Strategic Studies (HCSS), focusing on the dilemmas of deep economic interdependence at a time of great power rivalry. Joris is also a PhD-candidate at the Centre for Security, Diplomacy and Strategy at the Free University of Brussels, focusing on the implications for the EU of the growing use by China and the US of weaponized interdependence-strategies.
NICOLAS GOFFAUX
Nicolas Goffaux is an Asset Leader with MineSpans, based out of McKinsey’s Brussels office in Belgium. He leads the battery raw materials (Li, Ni, Co, Mn, Graphite) group at MineSpans, building supply outlooks, cost curves and CO2 emissions data and insights. Additionally, Nicolas has been helping in the development of McKinsey’s insights on the global metals and mining industry, across commodities.
AMAR KAADOUCH
Amar Kaadouch holds a Master’s degree in Business Engineering from KU Leuven. He has been with Umicore for over seven years, developing an expertise in commodities and global metal markets. Currently, he serves as Sales Manager Precious and Minor Metals at Umicore Precious Metals Refining, where he leads worldwide sales, hedging strategies, and financing solutions for precious and minor metals. Passionate about innovation and sustainability, Amar is committed to shaping resilient supply chains and driving value for partners across the globe.
ANTON ARANZABAL
With over 25 years of experience at GrafTech International, Anton Aranzábal has held several key leadership positions, including Plant General Manager in Pamplona, CEO of GrafTech Switzerland, and Corporate Vice President of Operations. His career has stood out not only for his strong leadership in operations, but also for his active role in industry associations, where he has consistently represented the interests of the company and the sector. He has been President of the ECGA since 2018, having served multiple terms. He currently holds the position and continues to contribute to key initiatives that support the development of the sector.
SOLOMON CEFAI
Solomon Cefai is a Senior Price Reporter at Fastmarkets, covering a wide range of critical minor metals. He was covering gallium and germanium in 2023, when China’s export controls pushed them from being comparatively sleepy markets to being at the forefront of a new era of geopolitics-driven supply anxiety and market realignment. And he has tracked those markets since then, closely watching as prices outside of China quadrupled and as material shortages threatened to undermine economically crucial downstream consuming sectors.
HENDRIK ENGELKAMP
Hendrik Engelkamp's work at DG ENV focuses on hazardous substances in electrical equipment and the circularity of critical raw materials. Having studied chemical engineering and gained experience of the industry from different perspectives, he is familiar with its practical side. He has worked for the European Commission since 2020, contributing to a stronger circular economy within the EU. He has been following CRM initiatives that promote circular and sustainable practices for several years.
MICHAEL BLAKENEY
Michael Blakeney is responsible for the Cobalt Institute’s external engagement, including government and public affairs. In particular, Michael leads on the CI’s global regulatory and political advocacy. With over a decade’s experience under his belt, Michael has worked with many of the world’s largest mining and metals companies, including the likes of Anglo American and Rio Tinto. Michael has also supported government affairs and communications activities for major international blue chip brands, some of the world’s largest financial services companies, as well as large industrial clients.
DR. STIAN MADSHUS
Dr. Stian Madshus is the Senior Vice President Sales and Marketing in Vianode, a Norwegian based company producing advanced sustainable anode graphite materials for lithium-ion batteries. He has a PhD in carbon materials science. During his 20 years of experience in the carbon and graphite industry, Stian has held positions within senior leadership, strategy, marketing and sales, process management, research and product development. Stian is a board member in Battery Norway and the European Advanced Carbon and Graphite Materials Association (ECGA).
HANS VERCAMMEN
Hans Vercammen joined Campine in 2016 as Division Director Specialty Chemicals. Campine is a leading European specialist in fire retardancy, concentrates, masterbatches, PET catalysts and lead recycling (via its subsidiary Campine Recycling NV). In May 2018, he was elected chairman of the i2a (International Antimony Association). He has a broad area of expertise in general and operations management, business & strategy development and sales in a technological environment related to non-ferrous industry (Umicore, Campine), semiconductors (Alcatel Microelectronics) and innovation (Sirris). He obtained a PhD in material science and an MBA from Antwerp Management School.
LARS HINTZ
Lars Hintz studied Economics in Cologne and spent several years in Online Marketing/SEO before moving into chemicals. He joined ANTRACO, a family-owned chemical trading company, in 2010, where he learned the business hands-on and became involved across sourcing, sales, logistics, and compliance. He has been responsible for REACH since 2012 and has served as General Manager since 2021.
WIM DE VOS
Born in Belgium in 1969, Wim De Vos holds a Master’s degree in Chemical & Polymer Engineering from the University of Gent, an Executive MBA from Vlerick Management School, and has completed the Senior Executive Program at London Business School. His career began in 1991 at Eurocompound, and he later joined Recticel in 1996, where he was appointed Business Unit Director in 2004 with responsibilities including the setup of a factory in China. In 2009, Wim became the CEO of Vitalo, expanding its global reach with operations across Europe, Asia, and the Americas. In 2012, he became CEO of the Society of Plastics Engineers in the USA, before taking the helm at Campine in 2017 as CEO, focusing on metal recycling and specialty chemicals. Wim also holds several advisory and non-executive roles across various industries.
DAVID ROSE
David Rose has a 20-year international track record of successfully delivering tailored communication services for European institutions, national governments, international organisations, European advocacy associations, the corporate sector and NGOs.An experienced moderator and mediator, he regularly leads international-level conferences and debates across a wide range of sectors and policy areas, including environment, climate, energy, trade and industry, health and social policy. In parallel, David regularly chairs EU-level working groups and stakeholder consultations, as well as advising on strategy, effective programme design and innovation for internal and external events across Europe and beyond.
DR. ANTONIOS NESTORAS
Dr. Antonios Nestoras is a leading voice on EU policy at the intersection of security, technology, and sustainability, with over 15 years of experience across academia, think tanks, and public administration. A seasoned analyst and policy innovator, he regularly contributes to debates on the future of Europe, with work featured in top-tier EU media such as Euronews, Euractiv, and EUObserver. He has authored or edited more than 40 publications – from analytical reports to peer-reviewed articles and academic books – and is the Founder and Chief Editor of the Future Europe Journal. Dr. Nestoras holds a double PhD in Social and Political Science and is a recipient of the Huygens Scholarship for International Talent. He currently leads the European Policy Innovation Council (EPIC), a next-generation thinking movement working to revitalize European politics through strategic foresight and evidence-based innovation.
DR. JAMES WATSON
Dr. James Watson is a seasoned professional with over 25 years of experience in industry, public policy and government. He joined Eurometaux, the European non-ferrous metals industry association, as Director General in 2024. Prior to this role, he served as the Secretary General of Eurogas, the European Gas Industry Association, for six years. Before his tenure at Eurogas, Dr. Watson was CEO of SolarPower Europe for 5 years, representing the interest of the European solar industry to the European Institutions. He has worked as Director of Public Affairs at Weber Shandwick in Brussels, also as a Trade Policy Advisor for the Commonwealth Secretariat based in Ethiopia, and held a number of academic and policy positions prior to that. He is a published academic on international trade law, environmental law and public policy. He has also been a Visiting Professor at the VUB in Brussels.
DR. PETER TOM JONES
Dr. Peter Tom Jones is the director of the KU Leuven Institute for Sustainable Metals and Minerals (SIM²), an interdisciplinary research hub of experts dedicated to the exploration, extraction, processing, refining, and recycling of energy-transition metals crucial for clean energy and mobility. He has co-authored or contributed to around 40 granted European projects on critical metals and sustainable metallurgical processing, with a strong emphasis on lithium, cobalt/nickel, and rare earth elements. He is the (co-)author of 80+ peer-reviewed publications on sustainable metallurgy. His deep-rooted interest in the intersection of environmentalism and metallurgy has shaped his work for over 30 years, focusing on the role of critical metals in achieving climate neutrality. He has (co-)authored seven books addressing climate and environmental crises, as well as the transition to climate neutrality. Since 2022, Jones has expanded his impact by presenting authors’ documentaries that explore the connection between metals and the climate transition. His most recent film is Europe’s Lithium Paradox (May 2025).
FRANCESCO GRATTIGLIO
Francesco Gattiglio joined Albemarle in January 2022. At Albemarle, he works on different dimensions of external affairs, encompassing competitiveness, sustainability and regulatory. Before joining Albemarle, he worked as Director EU Affairs & Policy at EUROBAT, the Association of Industrial and Automotive Batteries Manufacturers. Francesco has over 10 years’ experience in Brussels, with a focus on electrification of transport, raw materials, energy and environment policy. Francesco has Master Degrees in International Relations and International Political Economy.
MELIS ARIN
Melis Arin is the Sustainability Manager at ICL Industrial Products Division. She has earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Materials Science and Engineering, and PhD degree in Inorganic Chemistry from Ghent University, Belgium. She has started her work career in 2013 at Sensata Technologies as Design Engineer and moved in 2014 to Milliken as Development Engineer for technical textiles. Then, in 2017, she has started working at Chemours as Technical Marketing Manager and Business Development Consultant for Titanium dioxide in plastics. Since 2023, she is within ICL-IP and responsible for recycling and sustainability programmes for plastics containing flame retardants as well joining task forces of the chemical industry to implement solutions related to Circular Economy.
DENIS REDONNET
Denis Redonnet is an economist by training, and started his career as a corporate banker for a French bank in the city of London. Since 1995 he has been a career European Commission official, having held positions in the monetary, international economic affairs and internal market directorate generals of the EU Executive. He served as advisor to EU Trade Commissioner Pascal Lamy and a Deputy chief of staff to EU Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson. Afterwards he headed the WTO division and then the Strategy division in the Directorate General for Trade in the European Commission. Between 2015 and 2020 he acted as Director for "WTO, Legal Affairs and Trade in Goods" in the Directorate General for Trade in the European Commission. In July 2020 he was appointed Deputy Director General and Chief Trade Enforcement Officer in the Directorate General for Trade in the European Commission.
DR. FABIAN ZULEEG
Since being appointed as Chief Executive in October 2013, Dr. Fabian Zuleeg has overall responsibility for the European Policy Centre, including providing strategic direction, managing its staff and resources and representing the EPC. He remains Chief Economist at the same time (a post he has held since January 2010). Fabian holds a PhD on the political economy of EU accession from Edinburgh University. Before coming to the EPC, he worked as an economic analyst in academia, the public and the private sector. He is currently a Member of the Executive Board of Transparency International EU, Honorary Fellow at the Europa Institute of the University of Edinburgh and Honorary Professor at Heriot-Watt University. He also chairs the International Philanthropy Committee for the King Baudouin Foundation.
MORVAN GAUDIN
Morvan Gaudin is a French researcher with a PhD in chemistry. He earned his doctorate from Chimie Paris, where he specialised in the recycling of antimony and bromine found in waste electrical and electronic equipment, under the supervision of Grégory Lefevre and Frédéric Rousseau. His work has resulted in the acquisition of a patent and two articles. Morvan is currently employed as a researcher at the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA). He is currently working with Kristell Riou-Nivert on establishing an industrial start-up, with the aim of translating his PhD research findings into practical industrial applications. Morvan Gaudin is passionate about sustainable chemistry and innovation, and is committed to contributing to a more environmentally friendly future through his research and entrepreneurial endeavours.
LIAM FARLEY
Liam Farley is the Founder and CEO of Xcelsior Capital, a UK-based advisory and investment firm specialising in financing off-exchange critical metal and mineral projects that are essential to supply chain resilience and the energy transition. A geologist by background, Liam has hands-on experience in mining and oil & gas operations and private equity, building a career at the intersection of natural resources and investment. Before founding Xcelsior Capital, he held senior roles at Proterra Investment Partners, where he focused on natural resources investments. He has also worked with industry leaders such as BHP and Schlumberger and has served as a Non-Executive Director for multiple companies. His expertise spans deal origination, structured financing, and commodities trading, leveraging deep industry knowledge to create value in the metals and minerals sector.
SCOTT ELDRIDGE
Scott Eldridge brings 17 years of experience in the metals and mining industry focused on capital markets, having served in various buy-side, sell-side and issuer roles. Scott was a co-founder of Euroscandic International Group, an advisory firm where he raised upwards of $350M of combined equity and non-equity for the mining industry. He also served as CFO of Amarillo Gold prior to its takeover by Hochschild Mining. Scott is currently a director of Nevada Lithium Resources, a company developing one of the largest lithium deposits in North America. He is also a founder of Patriot Critical Minerals, a company that owns the United States largest tungsten deposit. He currently serves as a Director and CEO of Military Metals, a company focussed on antimony with a portfolio spanning the US, Canada and Slovakia, being the EU's largest antimony deposit. Scott holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree and a Master's of Business Administration.
CRISTINA BELDA
Cristina Belda is an associate editor at Argus Media in London, covering critical minerals including antimony, tungsten, gallium, and germanium. She has over eight years of international experience as a mining journalist. Cristina holds a master’s degree in financial journalism from City University in London. More recently, she completed an advanced course on minerals governance from the Natural Resource Governance Institute (NRGI) and ETH Zürich. Her main areas of interest are the transition to a low-carbon economy, energy security, and geopolitics.
DR. NILS BACKEBERG
Dr. Nils Backeberg is the co-founder of Project Blue, providing market intelligence on critical raw material supply chains. Nils has combined his academic and industry experience as an economic geologist towards commodity market analysis covering raw material value chains for alloys, new-energy and technology sectors at leading firms including Metals Focus, Roskill and Wood Mackenzie. Nils’ academic background spans three continents with a MSc from the University of Cape Town in South Africa, a PhD from McGill University in Canada, and a post-doctoral post at University College London in the UK. He is also a Research Fellow at the University of Stellenbosch.
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