What are your responsibilities at Circular Materials?
I focus on the recovery of critical metals from end-of-life lithium batteries (black mass), working both on laboratory-scale research and development and on the treatment of large volumes. I am also responsible for the preparation and characterization of secondary products, coordinating activities on analytical instruments.
What is your educational background?
I studied Industrial Chemistry (Master’s degree) and then pursued a PhD in Materials Science, where I deepened my knowledge of materials for lithium batteries, positioning myself at the interface between academia and industry.
How have you developed your skills at CM?
The technical skills—both instrumental and process-related—that I gained form the foundation of my daily work at CM, where I continue to refine and adapt them to an industrial context. The opportunity to collaborate with various partners and tackle new topics is highly stimulating and allows me to strengthen my ability to solve problems that require a multidisciplinary approach.
How would you describe your relationship with the team?
The young and dynamic environment I joined fosters a strong exchange with team members, enabling us to approach daily tasks from different perspectives.
What aspects of Circular Materials’ project do you appreciate the most?
The project is highly ambitious but also essential for addressing the economic and social challenges of the energy and ecological transition. This objective was a key factor in my decision to join CM, where the ability to recover critical raw materials that would otherwise be lost is a central pillar.
Federico Barbon
R&D Specialist
