Guardian Jobs’ Post

A short introduction to James Parr 👇

Let's do a big old check-in. Because you're not alone, whatever you're doing. And neither am I! Let's find some common ground, or just get our intentions, our commitments, our current opportunities out into the world. I'll start, below, in the first comment.

What's a recent project or client problem that you've worked on and resolved? ➜ Share your experience, the challenges you faced, the solutions you implemented, and the results achieved.

Here are some relevant project accomplishments:

We made a short film recently, and let’s be honest—it didn’t exactly hit the mark. But you know what? We’re actually quite thrilled about it. Why? Because our primary goal was to create something, and we succeeded in doing just that. The process taught us invaluable lessons about our capabilities and what it takes to get results. Sometimes, it's not about immediate success but about learning and growing through the experience. Every step, every project, no matter how it turns out, is a step forward. P.S. - What’s a project you’ve worked on recently that didn’t go as planned but still taught you something valuable? Share your experience below! 

what am I doing with my time? Am I having any impact? I ask it because with so many responsibilities facing me, it’s easy to end up doing too much. The busier I feel, the more likely it is that I am not using my time well, and that I’m not having the impact that I want. Because if I have my face in the detail, and I’m ploughing through the tasks, ticking things off my to do list (which is a great feeling)…. Then I’m no longer thinking strategically. And it’s easy to go off course. How do you keep on track with the big picture? How do you navigate the day to day, while working towards that long term goal? What’s the question or activity that helps you stay on track? I have these moments, and then I get myself back on track. I clear up time in my day, have a call with Helen House, and get my shit together. She's my "so, what do you really want? ok, let's go do that then 😀 " person. Get yourself someone who will help you do the stuff you need to do, so that you stay on track, do what you really want, and have fun doing it.

What I've seen: the bigger the project, the more the roles and responsibilities need to get defined in detail.

Thank you very much to all our speakers and panelists for the great contributions and insights provided. I hope that the attendees learnt more about the RESPECT recycling project and the challenges and opportunities to contribute to closing the gap between the aspirations of the Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA) and the practical realities of achieving a secure, sustainable, and circular European Li-ion battery manufacturing industry. During the event, the speakers from the European Commission, BEPA - Batteries European Partnership Association, industry and partners of EU-funded RESPECT project discussed how they can fill in the needs and requirements of the battery ecosystem and provide a solid response to the upcoming challenges on the path of the green transition      Mrs Maria Nyberg from the DG-GROW presented us the main topics of the Critical Raw Materials Act and its implementation. Eduard Antics from CINEA - European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency presented the Horizon Europe programme and its valuable contribution in terms of innovation and research to secure and supply competitive and sustainable critical raw materials for Europe. As mentioned by Antoine Driancourt (CEA-Liten), the first technological results of RESPECT project are encouraging: the innovative pre-treatment process and the hydrometallurgical processes allow a highly efficient recovery of critical raw materials complying with the battery regulation targets. Efficient recycling technologies are key to secure supply of critical materials in the European Union and to reach the objective of the CRMA to provide at least 25% of the EU’s annual consumption of strategic raw materials with recycled material. Enrique Moliner Santisteve (LOMARTOV SL) provided some insights from social, environmental, and economic impacts. NMC recycling brings more sustainability benefits than LFP recycling. Recovery of metals from EoL batteries, such as Co and Ni, increases social sustainability by avoiding burdens from virgin raw materials extraction in countries like DR Congo, Indonesia or Gabon. Guillaume Barbe (CEVA Logistics) shared some thoughts on the challenges and logistical solutions to achieve CRMA’s objectives. The RESPECT project provides streamlined administrative processes, guidelines and collaboration with stakeholders. Dr. Franz Geyer (BMW) shared point of view of an EOM, the strategy and the challenges to overcome for a successful implementation of circular supply chain. Fabrice Stassin provided some information on BATT4EU and BEPA as well as the RD&I topics of the roadmap defined from SRIA.   At least we have a very interesting roundtable discussion on the ambitions of the CRMA and the Battery regulation and their acceptances by the stakeholders, the opportunities and difficulties for their future implementations and how these regulations could contribute to create a strong and future-proof battery recycling industry in Europe Orano RESPECT recycling

Take a look at your business. Take a look at the graph below. Ask yourself where you are. All too often we are helping businesses who have waited too long to act. Simply put, it makes the growth journey exponentially harder the longer you work.