Peter Tom Jones has a clear mission: to shake up Europe when it comes to producing the metals we need for the energy transition. He advocates responsible mining and refining in our own European backyard. ‘It’s time for fair metals.’
You have to do your best these days not to stumble upon Peter Tom Jones in Flemish, Dutch and international media. This chemical engineer and ‘green’ activist is making a name for himself with his advocacy for responsible mining in response to the growing call for strategic autonomy and the European Critical Raw Materials Act. Jones, Director of the Institute for Sustainable Metals and Minerals (SIM2) of KU Leuven seeks publicity in an original and appealing way, namely by making documentaries. Recently, Made in Europe: From mine to electric vehicle premiered. There is now plenty to read about the geopolitical and economic necessity of a new, European strategy to obtain crucial raw materials. We visited Jones in Leuven to hear more about the role and contribution of chemistry and chemists in this important issue. ‘Working from a deep molecular understanding, that’s what it’s all about.’
