What?
With the KU Leuven Institute for Sustainable Metals and Minerals (SIM²) we perform cutting-edge research on the sustainable production and recycling of the metals we need to produce wind turbines, electric buses, batteries, heat pumps, electrolysers… All of this cleantech is essential in achieving the required transition from a fossil-fuel based economy to a sustainable, climate-neutral society.
As KU Leuven Institute we also see it as our duty to communicate about our work to the general public. We do this through interviews in the press, vodcasts, podcasts and, since some years ago, also documentary videos. During the past two years we have produced four films together with the Belgian (small) film making company Storyrunner. These films are “Responsible mining in Europe: a new paradigm to counter climate change” (2022), the award-winning “Made in Europe: from mine to Electric Vehicle” (2023), “The Sami Perspective” (2024), and “Europe's Mining Renaissance” (2024).
New documentary on Europe’s lithium paradox
For our new documentary project we will delve into the world of lithium, the metal we need to manufacture batteries for e-mobility and stationary storage of renewable energy. Why this film? In an increasingly unpredictable and hostile global landscape, Europe stands on shaky ground, heavily dependent on foreign nations for lithium imports. This reliance leaves Europe in a vulnerable position. Yet, in a twist of irony, Europe is home to abundant lithium reserves spread across the continent. However, Europe currently struggles to convert these lithium deposits into operational mines. This struggle is largely due to slow permitting processes and opposition from mining-sceptic groups. The absence of lithium mines is further compounded by a lack of lithium refineries and lithium-ion battery recycling facilities.
Our documentary will explore how Europe could potentially mine, refine, and recycle lithium in the future, supplemented by strategies for lowering primary demand for lithium (e.g. more public transport). We will highlight key European lithium mining projects, trying to understand where the mining opposition comes from. We will be giving the floor to all stakeholders, including the groups opposing mining projects. The documentary will also delve into lithium refining and lithium-ion battery recycling. We will examine whether European companies are truly leading the way in terms of environmental and social standards. Will Europe be able to unravel its lithium paradox? The filming for this documentary will be done in the period September-December 2024. The film will be released in March-May 2025.
Why is your support needed?
Making documentaries is costly, especially when footage is created abroad, requiring international transport for a film crew consisting of the director, the sound technician, the cameraman and the presenter. Finding funding for such documentaries is not straightforward. In the past we have (just) been able to fund these projects through European research projects (Work Package on Communication and Dissemination) and additional KU Leuven support. However, the budget required for this new film is about 180,000 euro, only half of which is provided through EU project funding (Horizon Europe LITHOS project – 75k) and SIM² KU Leuven (15k). The other half we are hoping to raise through crowd funding. In this way, the general public becomes a co-owner of the film in many ways and we do not rely on direct company funding. This is essential for the unbiased character of the documentary project.
We hope you are willing to contribute to making this film a success. Without lithium and other metals, there is no cleantech production possible and without cleantech we cannot “save the climate”. It’s as simple as that. Thank you for your support!
If you donate at least 40 euros on an annual basis, you will be entitled to a tax certificate and a 45% tax reduction on the donated amount. You will receive your certificate in the month of March of the year following your donation. Thank you very much for your solidarity.
Do you prefer to give via bank transfer? You can also support the action by making a donation to account number BE45 7340 1941 7789, BIC code KREDBEBB of KU Leuven, stating the structured communication +++400/0026/55314+++. Your donation will be included in the total amount within the week. Do you have a question? Always welcome: contact us.
With the KU Leuven Institute for Sustainable Metals and Minerals (SIM²) we perform cutting-edge research on the sustainable production and recycling of the metals we need to produce wind turbines, electric buses, batteries, heat pumps, electrolysers… All of this cleantech is essential in achieving the required transition from a fossil-fuel based economy to a sustainable, climate-neutral society.
As KU Leuven Institute we also see it as our duty to communicate about our work to the general public. We do this through interviews in the press, vodcasts, podcasts and, since some years ago, also documentary videos. During the past two years we have produced four films together with the Belgian (small) film making company Storyrunner. These films are “Responsible mining in Europe: a new paradigm to counter climate change” (2022), the award-winning “Made in Europe: from mine to Electric Vehicle” (2023), “The Sami Perspective” (2024), and “Europe's Mining Renaissance” (2024).
New documentary on Europe’s lithium paradox
For our new documentary project we will delve into the world of lithium, the metal we need to manufacture batteries for e-mobility and stationary storage of renewable energy. Why this film? In an increasingly unpredictable and hostile global landscape, Europe stands on shaky ground, heavily dependent on foreign nations for lithium imports. This reliance leaves Europe in a vulnerable position. Yet, in a twist of irony, Europe is home to abundant lithium reserves spread across the continent. However, Europe currently struggles to convert these lithium deposits into operational mines. This struggle is largely due to slow permitting processes and opposition from mining-sceptic groups. The absence of lithium mines is further compounded by a lack of lithium refineries and lithium-ion battery recycling facilities.
Our documentary will explore how Europe could potentially mine, refine, and recycle lithium in the future, supplemented by strategies for lowering primary demand for lithium (e.g. more public transport). We will highlight key European lithium mining projects, trying to understand where the mining opposition comes from. We will be giving the floor to all stakeholders, including the groups opposing mining projects. The documentary will also delve into lithium refining and lithium-ion battery recycling. We will examine whether European companies are truly leading the way in terms of environmental and social standards. Will Europe be able to unravel its lithium paradox? The filming for this documentary will be done in the period September-December 2024. The film will be released in March-May 2025.
Why is your support needed?
Making documentaries is costly, especially when footage is created abroad, requiring international transport for a film crew consisting of the director, the sound technician, the cameraman and the presenter. Finding funding for such documentaries is not straightforward. In the past we have (just) been able to fund these projects through European research projects (Work Package on Communication and Dissemination) and additional KU Leuven support. However, the budget required for this new film is about 180,000 euro, only half of which is provided through EU project funding (Horizon Europe LITHOS project – 75k) and SIM² KU Leuven (15k). The other half we are hoping to raise through crowd funding. In this way, the general public becomes a co-owner of the film in many ways and we do not rely on direct company funding. This is essential for the unbiased character of the documentary project.
We hope you are willing to contribute to making this film a success. Without lithium and other metals, there is no cleantech production possible and without cleantech we cannot “save the climate”. It’s as simple as that. Thank you for your support!
If you donate at least 40 euros on an annual basis, you will be entitled to a tax certificate and a 45% tax reduction on the donated amount. You will receive your certificate in the month of March of the year following your donation. Thank you very much for your solidarity.
Do you prefer to give via bank transfer? You can also support the action by making a donation to account number BE45 7340 1941 7789, BIC code KREDBEBB of KU Leuven, stating the structured communication +++400/0026/55314+++. Your donation will be included in the total amount within the week. Do you have a question? Always welcome: contact us.
Donate an amount of choice
Your contribution is an essential step in the realization of the documentary about lithium mining, refining and recycling in Europe, among other things. For amounts higher than €40, you are entitled to a tax certificate and a 45% tax reduction on the amount donated.
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Donate 50 euro
Donate 50 euro to help fund the documentary exploring the lithium paradox in Europe. Your tax benefit is 22,5 euro (45% of your donation). Your donation will actually cost you just 27,5 euro.
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Donate 100 euro
Donate 100 euro to help fund the documentary exploring the lithium paradox in Europe. Your tax benefit is 45 euro (45% of your donation). Your donation will therefore actually cost you only 55 euro.
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Donate 500 euro
Donate 500 euro to help fund the documentary exploring the lithium paradox in Europe. Your tax benefit is 225 euro (45% of your donation). Your donation will therefore actually cost you only 275 euro.
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