Summit | Recycling Renewables

Born in Cologne in 1994, Jan is an Economist for Data Economy at the German Economic Institute (IW). He studied economics at the University of Bonn from 2013 to 2019, and worked as a junior consultant in a competition economics consulting firm from 2019 to 2020. Jan has joined the IW in 2020 as Economist in the research unit Digitalization and Climate Action. Main research areas include: digitalization, data economy and artificial intelligence.

Michael Koebele is the Compliance Director at JA Solar, where he oversees ESG, regulatory affairs, and compliance. With a strong background in human rights and international law, Michael is an expert in transforming supply chains to meet evolving ESG and regulatory requirements. His career began with a doctorate from the Max Planck Institute, where he focused on the relationship between human rights and multinational companies. Since then, he has applied his expertise as a consultant, facilitator, and advisor across a wide range of industries and countries, making him a pivotal voice in the responsible development of the solar sector.

Philippe is Chief Operating Officer at the Becquerel Institute, a leading advisory firm specialised in solar photovoltaics, with offices in Belgium, France, Italy, and Spain. With a decade of experience in the PV sector, he combines deep expertise in economics, markets, policies, supply chains, as well as environmental and social impacts to deliver actionable insights through consulting and applied research. Philippe holds a double academic background, with MSc in Industrial Engineering & Mangement as well as in Environmental Sciences & Management.

Alan specializes in the circular economy for renewable energy, currently serving as a Lecturer and PhD Candidate at SRH Hochschulen GmbH – Campus Berlin, alongside his applied research role at ABCircular. With a Master of Engineering focused on renewable energy, water, and waste management, Alan's work is dedicated to developing scalable solutions for resource management. His current research centers on the complex challenge of recycling crystalline silicon photovoltaic modules, providing crucial insights into transforming end-of-life solar waste into a sustainable resource. Alan brings a blend of academic rigor and practical industry focus to the future of the solar supply chain.

With a background in sustainable business management and the circular economy, Britt works as a Sustainability Advisor at Sustenuto, a consultancy helping organizations make sustainability strategic, measurable, and credible. In her role, Britt supports companies in developing and implementing sustainability initiatives at both organizational and product levels. At the product level, she helps companies integrate circularity throughout their value chain: from circular sourcing and product design to sustainable business models and circular infrastructure. Whether it’s improving a single product or shaping a global circular product portfolio, Britt's focus is on turning sustainability ambitions into practical and scalable solutions.

Germain is a Bioengineer specialized in environmental sciences, who brings a wealth of cross-industry experience to the solar sector, having a career dedicated to enhancing environmental performance and embedding sustainability into business strategy. His background includes significant roles at GSK and Etex, where he led corporate-level environmental management and strategic initiatives. At PV CYCLE, he is at the forefront of navigating the complex regulatory landscape, ensuring the solar sector adheres to its obligations under Extended Producer Responsibility schemes. His work is crucial in building a more circular economy for photovoltaic technology, from managing end-of-life solar panels to the recovery of valuable materials.

Andreas is a renewable energy executive with over 25 years of international project leadership experience, including more than 15 years in utility-scale solar PV and energy storage. He has delivered more than 1 GWp of large-scale projects across Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and East Asia, holding senior roles in EPC execution, project development, and corporate leadership. His expertise spans CAPEX optimization, grid-connection processes, and the integration of BESS with utility-scale PV to enhance yield, reliability, and lifecycle economics. He combines hands-on construction experience with strategic program management in multi-country portfolios and complex grid environments.

Timo is a Business Development expert at Siemens, where he focuses on the Sustainable Digital Enterprise. In this role, he is at the forefront of helping companies transition to more sustainable operations through the integration of digital technologies. His experience at Siemens includes working on a range of solutions, from Industrial AI to strategic partnerships, and enabling the digital transformation of machine builders. Timo's background also includes valuable experience as a consultant at EY and Roland Berger, giving him a unique perspective on strategic advisory. His expertise in leveraging digital solutions to solve complex challenges makes him a key voice in the conversation on how technology can drive the energy transition.

Frans-Willem de Kloet is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at Ecochain Technologies since 2021, and has been a technology executive with over 25 years of international experience in Telecoms, Internet, IT & Software companies. Former CEO & Managing Director at several Liberty Global operations across Europe, Frans-Willem has held previous leadership roles at Hewlett-Packard, Verizon, and KPN Telecom. He is a graduate of the University of Amsterdam.

As Secretary General of EUCOBAT, Eric is a key figure in the implementation of the new EU Battery Regulation, supporting members across Europe as they navigate the new framework. He joined EUCOBAT in 2020, where he was deeply involved in the process of the new regulation, working on a European level with both EUCOBAT and Member States, as well as on a national level as director of two Dutch PROs for batteries. With over two decades of industrial experience in batteries and consumer electronics, including leadership roles at Varta Consumer Batteries and Canon, Eric combines a deep understanding of the market with a strong command of public affairs. His expertise is crucial in shaping Europe's circular economy and advancing battery recycling.

Suhas Dixit is the CEO and Co-founder of APChemi, a leading pyrolysis technology company transforming plastic, tire, and biomass waste into circular materials. An inventor with 12 patents in pyrolysis and oil purification technologies, he has overseen the development of 49+ commercial-scale pyrolysis projects processing 179 million kg of waste over 1.3 million operational hours since 2007. Under his leadership, APChemi has secured support from global corporations including Shell, Unilever, and PepsiCo for chemical recycling initiatives. APChemi is funded and backed by the Technology Development Board, Government of India. The company's breakthrough PUROIL™ technology enables the conversion of previously non-recyclable plastics into refinery-grade blendstocks. Suhas holds a degree in Chemistry from ICT Mumbai, studied contract management at IIM-A, and has been recognized with multiple awards including the FICCI Circular Technology Disrupter Award and KPMG's Ready-to-Scale Venture Award. Since 2007, his work has focused on developing efficient pyrolysis solutions. An insightful and sought-after keynote speaker, Mr. Dixit regularly presents at international forums on circularity and decarbonization.

Clarice is the newly appointed Sustainability Specialist at Greenchoice, bringing a unique blend of expertise and hands-on project management to the energy transition. She is a known advocate for out-of-the-box solutions, pioneering ideas that disrupt the status quo of linear systems. Her background includes a significant role as a Project Manager at Vattenfall, where she drove energy sector initiatives, ensuring her perspective is grounded in both academic insight and practical business application.

Pierre-Yves is a key figure at Sinovoltaics, where he brings a unique cross-industry perspective to the renewable energy sector. With a career spanning FMCG and pharmaceuticals, he has dedicated the past decade to digitalization and sustainability, an expertise that is now crucial for the energy transition. He is a leading voice on the EU’s bold new Battery Regulation, and he is at the forefront of helping the industry navigate this transformation. Pierre-Yves offers vital insights into how this landmark legislation will fundamentally reshape the supply chain, creating a more efficient green economy. He understands the practical challenges for manufacturers and SMEs while highlighting the significant opportunities, from unlocking new jobs to driving greater transparency throughout the entire product lifecycle. Sinovoltaics is a Dutch-German Battery Energy Storage (BESS) and solar photovoltaic (PV) technical compliance and quality assurance firm founded in 2009. Since its inception, Sinovoltaics has been a pioneer in the BESS and PV industries, with a mission to eliminate product defects and minimize investment risks.

Jurre is a highly experienced public and regulatory affairs advisor at Ørsted, a global leader in green energy with a special focus on offshore wind. In his work, Jurre focuses particularly on EU regulation in the fields of ESG, renewable energy auctions, and the post-2030 target infrastructure for climate and energy. He provides strategic guidance to policy makers to inform ambitious policy from a practical understanding of the market and project reality in the wind sector. This expertise makes him an important voice in shaping the right policies for a world that runs entirely on green energy.

Tomaso Charlemont is an executive with over three decades of extensive experience in Business Development and Supply Chain. A graduate of the Technical Naval Institute, he transitioned to the renewable energy sector in 2008, developing deep expertise across various facets of the industry. His background includes significant contributions to companies involved with PV inverter OEMs, WTG manufacturing, EPC services, and renewable development. This broad experience provides him with a comprehensive understanding of the lifecycle of renewable assets and the critical role of robust supply chains in the energy transition. His insights into market dynamics and strategic growth are particularly relevant for discussions on the sustainable management and future of renewable energy components.

Being in charge of the Sustainability Department, Kamila drives the European non-ferrous metals industry's commitment to a sustainable future. With an impressive background covering environmental consultancy and having had key roles in the household appliance and machine tools industries, Kamila brings extensive expertise in critical areas such as energy efficiency, e-waste management, ecodesign, and chemicals policy. Her work is pivotal in shaping the industry's approach to the circular economy and responsible resource management. Kamila's deep understanding of environmental protection and industrial sustainability makes her a vital voice in discussions on the lifecycle and responsible sourcing of materials crucial for the energy transition.

Jan has a master’s in law and has taken additional courses at the Vlerick Management School and EHSAL in Belgium. For a few years, he worked as a manager in production and logistics in the meat industry and then moved to the waste industry. He worked in various positions at Van Gansewinkel, now Renewi, for 12 years where he accumulated much experience in setting up voluntary and mandatory collection systems for waste such as packaging, electric and electronic equipment, discarded tyres, cooking oil and fat, and waste oil. In 2008, he became the General Manager and, in 2016, a Board Member of PV CYCLE, the first collection system for solar panels in the world. Up to 2014, this system was voluntary and in 2014, it became a mandatory producers’ collective.

Irene plays a key role in coordinating the policy framework development for RETRIEVE, ensuring Europe creates the right conditions for a thriving PV recycling market. Her work is instrumental in building a strong policy network that supports the development of recycling infrastructure across the continent, paving the way for a truly circular economy in the solar sector. Through her efforts, Irene is not only advancing Europe’s clean energy goals but also contributing significantly to its raw materials independence by upcycling existing solar panels and reintegrating them into the manufacturing cycle.

Dr. Hilton joined IHS Markit (now S&P Global) in 2020 and has eight years of experience in the clean energy sector. He focuses on clean energy technologies in Europe, Middle East and Africa and has a particular interest in how energy storage integrates with other industries. He has recently published work on recycling, energy storage for EV charging, vehicle-to-grid technologies, second life batteries and the use of batteries in hydrogen production. He leads the global forecast for energy storage. He has published articles in multiple well-respected journals, responded to government calls for evidence on energy storage and electric vehicles (EVs), and has been quoted in a range of media outlets. Dr. Hilton holds a first-class Master of Engineering degree in mechanical engineering and a PhD in energy engineering with a focus on energy storage integration with renewable energy and EV infrastructure, both from the University of Southampton, United Kingdom.

Dr. Jan-Philipp Mai is a pioneer in the field of solar energy, emphasizing sustainable and economical solutions. His work is characterized by a deep commitment to reducing the carbon footprint through innovative technologies. At the core of his achievements is the founding of JPM Silicon GmbH in 2010, a company that stands on a foundational patent for efficient silicon production, a critical component in solar cells. Additionally, Dr. Mai co-founded Solar Materials GmbH in 2021, which is at the forefront of recycling photovoltaic modules, addressing a crucial need in the solar industry for sustainable end-of-life management of solar panels. His ventures contribute significantly to the circular economy, pushing the boundaries of what's possible in renewable energy and resource recovery.

Dee Yon Chng (pronounced Dion) is a project manager for Solarplaza spearheading the following events in chronological order: Agri-PV 2023, Floating-PV 2023, Energy Storage Spain 2023, Romania 2024, France 2024. Prior to Solarplaza she helped co-found a "floating" coaching company, and worked as sustainability consultant. She is a strong believer in knowledge sharing around sustainability topics, with 10 years of chairman experience in facilitating a collaborative and fruitful discussion.

Victor is a Program and Event Manager at Solarplaza. With long-standing experience in public speaking and in organizing B2B events, he enjoys bringing together industry leaders to share insights and drive the energy transition. Victor is dedicated to creating dynamic platforms that foster knowledge sharing, networking, and productive discussions among peers.