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Dr. Michal Šyc is the Director and Senior Scientist at the Institute of Chemical Process Fundamentals of the Czech Academy of Sciences, where he also leads the Research Group of Waste Management and Sustainable Technologies. With a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, Dr. Šyc has expertise in waste management, circular economy and environmental security. He is the Principal Investigator of the Centre of Environmental Research project, funded by the Technology Agency of the Czech Republic, which focuses on transitioning the Czech Republic to a circular economic model. Dr. Šyc’s work involves innovative technologies aimed at reducing the use of primary raw materials, while maximising material recovery and addressing environmental contamination. His contributions to the field are well-documented through numerous publications and his active participation in interdisciplinary research initiatives.

Q1: Given your extensive experience in waste management, what innovative approaches do you believe are essential for advancing the recycling and reuse of PV panels and batteries within the SOLMATE project?

R: Personally, I consider it necessary to involve multidisciplinary consortia and knowledge to solve this task. I personally believe that it is necessary to apply and perceive the same chains of operations for recycling as for primary raw materials, i.e., a combination of mechanical operations with the application of pyro- or hydrometallurgy to pre-concentrated raw materials.

Q2: Looking ahead, what are the challenges and opportunities you foresee in the field of sustainable waste management for PV systems and batteries, and how can the SOLMATE project address them?

R: Given the complexity and intricacy of both matrices, I consider it necessary to streamline the entire recycling process with high yields under economically acceptable conditions. However, I see the main opportunity in applying the principles of ecological design in the production of batteries and photovoltaic panels based on feedback obtained during their recycling. Similarly, I consider it necessary to introduce some form of passporting or labelling of batteries for easy sorting and subsequent recycling. SOLMATE should therefore share its recycling experience with key stakeholders so that we do not always have to solve problems in a complicated way from the end.

Q3: The Centre of Environmental Research is built on an interdisciplinary approach. [So is the SOLMATE consortium.] How do you see this approach enhancing the outcomes of the SOLMATE project, especially in terms of integrating scientific, technical and socio-economic aspects?

R: I will follow up on my previous answer here. Waste management is a complex issue, and it is not always possible to solve it with even the best recycling method. Therefore, change requires the integration of various sectors and approaches, from technical to socioeconomic. In the case of batteries in particular, we often face insufficient battery collection and not just technical recycling problems.