The founding team
EMME is led by an experienced team supported by an ecosystem of leading engineering and industrial construction companies.
-
Antonin Beurrier
He is the manager of his own industrial investment fund «Kul Loesningar» with operations focused on energy transition materials, in France and the United States.
A former senior executive at Michelin, Sandvik Glencore (a mining and metallurgical leading group, Base Metals division – Nickel, Copper, and Cobalt), and Xstrata (a mining, metallurgical, and logistics group active in the Nickel and Cobalt sectors across the Asia-Pacific region), he brings strong industrial and financial expertise to the project.
-
Sarah Maryssael
She is Strategy Director at a leading lithium company and previously managed battery raw material sourcing for Tesla.
She has a unique understanding of the market and its key players across Asia, the United States, and Europe.
Her expertise and well-established industry relationships in the battery sector are a key asset to the success of the project. -
Lucas Dow
He is currently President of Sayona Lithium and a former senior executive at Adani Australia, South32 and BHP Billiton (a leading mining company).
His deep knowledge of mining operations, metals, and large-scale project management brings significant value to the project.
Cofounders
-
Philippe Mareine
Extensive financial experience as former Executive Vice President at Atos and having held multiple positions in the French Treasury and Ministry of Finance.
-
Christophe Salmon
CFO of Trafigura with over 25 years’ experience in financial and commodity-related positions.
-
Socrates Economou
Former head of Nickel and Cobalt trading at Trafigura.
The management team
Nearly 60 people are currently working on the EMME project, including key leaders such as:
-
Sylvie DUBOIS-DECOOL
General Manager
A graduate of Mines Engineering, Sylvie has over 25 years of experience in the automotive, energy, and metallurgy sectors, working with SMEs, mid-sized companies, and international groups.
-
John Whitaker
Chief Construction Officer
John has extensive experience in industrial projects, including project construction, engineering, contract management, and consulting, with a particular specialization in metallurgical processing industry projects.
-
Vincent SMITH
Technical Director
Vincent has 20 years of experience in the field of battery chemicals, specializing in the production of nickel and cobalt intermediates, refining battery-grade sulfates, and battery recycling.
-
John GOUMA
Director of Industrial Processes
An Australian national with over 35 years of experience managing and launching metallurgical and hydrometallurgical plants. John has successfully led the startup of three nickel refineries in Australia and Madagascar.
-
Benjamin ENAULT
Director of Sustainable Development
For 25 years, Benjamin has supported numerous industrial companies across various sectors, as well as associations, on sustainable development, impact management, and circularity.
-
Nicolas JOBERT
Chief Financial Officer
Nicolas brings over 20 years of experience in finance and financial structuring in the commodities industry. His background spans both banking and commodity trading, with extensive experience in France and international markets.
-
Frédéric TIREL
Operations Director
Frédéric brings nearly 30 years of experience managing operations in metallurgical and hydrometallurgical plants.
-
Matthieu DECUISERIE
Operations Manager
Matthieu has 15 years of experience in operations and maintenance of hydrometallurgical plants.
-
Antoine TARDY
Technology Expert Engineer
Antoine has 15 years of experience studying and optimizing chemical processes including 7 years in hydrometallurgical plant.
-
Voltaire SAMAKI
Project manager
Support to the project as Senior Project manager and accounting monitoring and follow-up.
-
Antoine FROPO
Expert Technology Engineer
A graduate of École Polytechnique, Antoine brings his expertise in numerical simulation and mechanics to the development and optimization of the process.
-
Jacky GAO
Expert Process Manager
Jacky has 22 years of experience in non-ferrous metallurgy industry, including 7 years education specialized in nickel, cobalt, manganese, lithium refining and battery recycling. He has worked in Hatch, CINF and BASF in technology development, engineering and project management. Jacky is located in CINF office, China.
Our engineering partners
The company collaborates with several leading, globally recognized engineering firms, including:
CINF in China, an internationally recognized engineering company renowned for its expertise in hydrometallurgical process design and engineering.
Artelia, a French consulting, technical expertise, and project management firm. With 10,000 experts worldwide, Artelia has established itself in five major areas of development and construction: mobility, water, energy, building, and industry. Artelia’s experts work in partnership with EMME teams, particularly to address French-specific requirements and water-related processes.
In addition, the project relies on specialized firms covering various aspects, including Ginger (geotechnical engineering), Seister (seismic expertise), Geomines (pyrotechnic soil remediation), Daxtachem (scientific consulting in ecotoxicology).
For the architectural aspect, the company relies on JDSA Architecture. This firm has built an international reputation based on concepts of landscape integration, ergonomic design, and the use of innovative energy management techniques.
Nearly 60 people are currently working on the EMME project on different continents.
Business support companies
Institutional partners
Meet the EMME team :
Matthieu Decuiserie, Operations Manager at EMME
Matthieu has just joined the EMME team as Operations Manager. He is responsible for maintenance, safety, and industrial environmental aspects within the project’s design phase.
Why did you join such a project?
“It’s a concrete opportunity to contribute to strengthening French mainland industry, especially in the crucial field of battery chemistry. During my 18-year career in industry in New Caledonia, I enjoyed working on forward-looking projects that allowed me to apply my expertise in process engineering. Joining EMME means putting myself at the service of innovation while continuing to learn and grow. Beyond the technical aspect, what convinced me was the ambition to develop an industrial project that sets a benchmark for social and environmental commitments. As a young father, this strongly resonates with my personal values.”
Who do you work with on a daily basis?
“Bringing a project like this to fruition with the highest scientific and environmental standards requires building a team of passionate professionals with international expertise. Engineers, researchers, technicians — each of us contributes our vision, experience, and specific skills. We share a common drive to progress and a strong solidarity that emerges whenever challenges arise. This dynamic environment, demanding yet human, encourages me to step out of my comfort zone and grow.”
What is your biggest upcoming challenge?
“Obviously, it’s successfully launching the EMME project while meeting all the environmental, societal, and industrial requirements we have set. It’s not just about developing innovative technology. We need to consider many factors — technical performance, regulatory compliance, economic viability, and social acceptance. Moving from concept to reality is a decisive step that demands strong teamwork, smooth coordination among project stakeholders, and meticulous planning. Agility will also be essential! It’s a demanding challenge, but one that gives full meaning to my commitment.”