Insights from Abroad: Strengthening Collaboration in Critical Minerals Research with France

Key points: 

• R&D Hub International Engagement Manager Carla Gonzalez Zlatar, Dr Marzi Barghamadi, CSIRO Manufacturing Research Scientist, and Dr Karen Kozielski, CSIRO Energy Scientist travelled to France in October 2025

• The main purpose of the trip was to attend the 2025 FACET (France – Australia Centre for Energy Transition) Symposium in Grenoble, which included site visits to IFPEN Energies Nouvelles, University of Grenoble Alps, CEA Liten Grenoble, and CEA Marcoule

• This trip was an opportunity to continue discussions with French counterparts on critical minerals R&D collaboration and to identify joint research projects under the Australia-France Critical Minerals Dialogue

Touch down in Lyon

The Critical Minerals R&D Hub’s international engagement continues to grow, with recent discussions in France reinforcing the importance of strategic global collaboration in advancing sustainable and resilient critical minerals supply chains. 

Earlier this month, the Hub’s International Engagement Manager, Carla Gonzalez Zlatar, travelled to France with 2 scientists from CSIRO to meet with leading research organisations and participate in key discussions on critical minerals R&D collaboration.

Connecting with France’s critical minerals innovation leaders

Carla, alongside CSIRO Manufacturing Research Scientist Dr Marzi Barghamadi, visited IFP Energies Nouvelles (IFPEN) in Lyon, France.

IFPEN, a French government research and training organisation, specialises in energy, transport and environmental technologies. The meeting with IFPEN’s battery research team focused on sharing research interests and exploring potential areas for collaboration between Australian and French researchers in the energy materials space. 

Australia’s R&D capabilities shine on the global stage

Carla, Dr Barghamadi and CSIRO Energy Scientist Dr Karen Kozielski attended the 2025 Franco-Australian Center for Energy Transition (FACET) Symposium in Grenoble, France. It was at the opening ceremony of the Symposium that Carla became reacquainted with Dr Antoine Leydier, a recent participant in the R&D Hub International Study Tour.

The event opened with an announcement of this year’s funded projects under the FACET initiative, highlighting the ongoing investment in collaborative energy and materials research. 

In the afternoon, Carla co-chaired a session on “Towards Efficient Use of Critical Materials Ores” alongside Stéphanie Riché, Director of Circularity at the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA). She also presented on “Mapping Australia’s Critical Minerals R&D System”, showcasing Australia’s coordinated research capabilities and the Hub’s role in fostering collaboration across agencies and institutions.

Concurrently, Dr Kozielski presented “Hydrogen at the Crossroads: Technology, Infrastructure and Partnerships”, highlighting Australia’s expertise and progress in hydrogen innovation.

On the ground with France’s critical minerals researchers 

Following the Symposium, Carla and Dr Barghamadi took part in a series of strategic meetings and sites visits supporting Australia’s efforts to build resilient critical minerals supply chains and foster research excellence. 

First, they visited the University of Grenoble Alps (UGA) to meet with the ISTerre critical minerals research team and tour the IMAP platform, a facility dedicated to mineralogical and geo-resource analysis.  

The visit concluded at the CEA Laboratories in Marcoule, where the pair toured the hydrometallurgy materials and chemical analysis and supercritical fluids laboratories, which are key facilities underpinning France’s research in sustainable research processing. 

Building pathways for future collaboration

These engagements continue to build on the Hub’s growing international network and highlight shared priorities between Australia and France in developing responsible, innovative approaches to critical minerals research and technology. 

As the global demand for critical minerals continues to surge, these collaborations will be vital to supporting both countries’ ambitions to strengthen supply chain resilience and accelerate the clean energy transition. 

Find out more about the Hub’s international engagement program