December 2022 saw sustainable metals producer Hannans Ltd readmitted to the Australian Stock Exchange following Greenhouse Investments Ltd, based in the UK and Ireland, taking a stake in the business.
The company’s 2023 objective is to confirm binding agreements that will deliver sustainable quantities of lithium battery (LiB) feedstock for the manufacture of electric vehicles (EVs) and support the expansion of gigafactories across Europe.
Hannans’ newly appointed European team, secured through its acquisition of Greenhouse commercialisation rights and licences, brings significant experience gained across the continent in renewable energy and EV manufacturing projects, as well as the battery recycling sector.
The company engaged Michael O’Leary-Collins, chief executive, Greenhouse, to lead its European Operations. A Bond University, Australia, MBA and law graduate with an investment banking and venture capital consulting background, he founded Greenhouse 17 years ago to provide combined access to capital markets, international trade finance and urban mining projects. Urban mining is simply the process of reclaiming raw materials from spent products, buildings and electrical waste.
Other key Greenhouse executives appointed by Hannans to lead its European expansion include:
- Aljosa Antolin, director, Business Development. Mr Antolin is responsible for securing LiB feedstock supplies with partners in the UK/Ireland, Italy, Scandinavia, Slovakia and SE Europe.
- Scott Coleman, chief commercial officer. A Stanford Law and London School of Economics graduate, Mr Coleman provides general counsel on all aspects of Hannans’ European operation and commercialisation agreements with prospective joint venture (JV) partners.
- James Gunn, chief operating officer. With a background in scaling operations for venture capital-backed businesses in the clean technology, IT, mining and energy sectors, Gunn’s role includes delivering project management during the expansion of European operations, managing the business across future joint ventures created with prospective JV partners, and leading external affairs and communications.
- Hrvoje Katicic, chief financial officer. With a 20-year career in corporate finance and commercial development across Europe, Mr Katicic will supervise operations, deliverables and financial control across all joint ventures created with JV partners, as well as reporting on climate-related financial disclosure, alongside ensuring compliance across multiple jurisdictions.
Further strategic appointments will be announced.
In the medium term of up to 2025, Hannans is focused on securing LiB feedstock supply and identifying sites for potential shredding and sorting plants for EV and other batteries.
