News of March7, 2023

New Department Leader Process Metallurgy at Helmholtz Institute Freiberg for Resource Technology

In the log term Dr Ajay Patil focus on establishing a competence center in process metallurgy and circular economy of critical raw materials and technology metals

Since the beginning of March, Dr Ajay Patil has headed the Process Metallurgy department at HIF. Thus, a key role at the institute and on the way to a sustainable circular economy for mineral and metalliferous raw materials has been reoccupied. In this interview, Dr Patil introduces himself and outlines his short- and long-term goals within Process Metallurgy. Welcome at the HIF!

Mr. Patil what´s your professional background?

I am PhD in analytical chemistry, radiochemistry and hydrometallurgy of actinides and rare earth metals. I have 9 years of international experience in four countries in different scientific or leadership roles. I was CEO and co-founder of REMRETEch GmbH in Switzerland. In addition, I am senior lecturer in circular economy and analytical chemistry at University of Jyväskylä in Finland. I am a member of different critical raw materials and circular economy expert groups such as European raw materials criticality assessment group and committees for EU Horizon proposal evaluations. Therefore, I have multifaceted professional background as scientist, entrepreneur, executive and academician.

Why you decided to onboard at HIF?

I find my peace and interests in resolving problems around critical raw materials and circular economy as you could follow from my professional up-bringing. HIF is one of the unique institute in European landscape, which has dedicated focus on these topics with technical scope. Therefore, shared vision and scope makes a natural partner for the long term.

In the current role, it would also be possible to use my cross-functional professional background to push the German + European interests and technological needs relevant to technology metals by developing futuristic processes. Therefore, HIF is the place to be for me with these perspectives.

What do you want to achieve in the Process Metallurgy department in the short and long term?

I have an ambitious yet a realistic vision for leading the process metallurgy department. In the short term, I will focus on increasing the number of projects and talent pool to the fullest capacity of the department. This will also involve the operational rolling out of the large research and piloting facilities in the department and also developing the downstream structure of 4 - 5 groups with key process metallurgy technologies as their dedicated scope.

In the long term, sky is the limit for us. We aim to be the leading and globally renowned competence center in process metallurgy and circular economy of critical raw materials and technology metals, which will have outstanding and clearly visible technological, academic, industrial, and socioeconomic impact and partnerships.

It is very noticeable that you are passionate about scientific topics. Is there also a hobby that you pursue with so much passion?

Beside science and business, I am good at farming. I can do most of the farming work right from milking the cows, up to driving the tractor in the farm. And my main hobbies are swimming and reading. In addition, I have a great interest in following the geopolitics and markets of metals.