- Dr. Michel Siemon appointed as first CEO of Primobius GmbH
- Supervisory Board: “Right time for a strategic expansion of the leadership team”
- Managing Directors, Merrill Gray and Horst Krenn, continue to head joint operations
As Primobius commences its transition from R&D organisation to commercial plant supplier, it has commenced the strategic expansion of its leadership and senior management teams. Michel Siemon, has been appointed CEO of Primobius, the lithium-ion battery recycling joint venture between SMS group and Neometals Ltd.
Michel Siemon, CEO of Primobius: ‟Primobius has already been able to set some remarkable milestones in the few years since our foundation. At our demonstration plant in Hilchenbach, we have continuously improved the recycling process and recovery rates. The shredding ‘Spoke’ component of the recycling plant is now operating commercially. With Mercedes Benz and Stelco, we have landmark projects in two important markets as the global interest in our process grows. We have set a clear course for the years ahead and my task is to focus on the strategic development of the company. I am very much looking forward to continuing the success together with the whole team.”
Michel Siemon has been with Primobius since the very beginning. He was responsible for setting up the joint venture in 2020 and for helping to drive the strategic positioning to date. He currently also holds the position of Head of Corporate Development at SMS group. Michel has more than ten years of strategic business development experience across industries including, but not limited to, automotive, industrial goods, and metals.
Chair of the Supervisory Board of Primobius, Chris Reed: “Now is the right time for a strategic expansion of the leadership team. Michel was on board from the first hours of the joint venture. We are pleased that he is now a formal part of the management team. He knows all the processes and has already played a decisive role in shaping the successful path of Primobius to date. Together with Merrill Gray and Horst Krenn, who will continue to jointly perform the duties of Managing Director, he will help us to reach our ambitious goals.”
About Primobius
Primobius – Battery recycling without limits
Primobius is a Joint Venture Partnership between Neometals Ltd, Australia, and SMS group GmbH, Germany. The company uses sustainable technology to recycle lithium-ion batteries. Using a two-step process, systems shred end-of-life and scrap batteries from electric vehicles, appliances or stationary energy storage applications and salvages the materials they contain, putting valuable materials such as lithium, nickel, and cobalt back into circulation for re-use in battery manufacturing. The concept is flexible: Primobius itself acts as a system operator, designs systems and components for customers, and offers needs-centered collaboration models for sustainable battery recycling. www.primobius.com
SMS group is renowned worldwide for its future-oriented technologies and outstanding service for the metals industry. The company applies its 150 years of experience and its digital know-how to provide the industry continuously with innovative products and processes – even beyond its core business – and generates worldwide sales of more than 3.1 billion euros. SMS is the right partner for challenging projects, and supports its customers throughout the lifecycle of their plants, enabling profitable and resource-efficient value creation chains. Paving the way for a carbon-neutral and sustainable metals industry is the company’s stated goal. As a global player with German roots, SMS takes responsibility for its about 14,400 employees.
SMS group GmbH
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http://www.sms-group.com
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