RCS Global and CATL expand collaboration to develop responsible batteries

As an expansion of its established cobalt, lithium, and graphite audit and supplier improvement program, the partnership now also covers CATL’s aluminium, copper, nickel and manganese supply chains.

The partnership is considered one of the most advanced economic, social, and governance (ESG) programmes in the battery industry and now covers around 80 CATL suppliers at all tiers of the value chain. Going forward, the core focus rests on the assessment of responsible sourcing, responsible mining and ESG performance, including the active verification of corrective actions implementation.

The new partnership significantly increases the scope of the 2020/2021 programme, which completed 37 sub-supplier audits and identified 174 unique sub-suppliers for CATL. Corrective action plans (CAPs) are implemented by the suppliers to eliminate potential or identified risks and to drive improvement in ESG practice across the value chain. The audits have been carried out for a wide range of CATL customers, including Volkswagen Group, Daimler, Volvo Cars, and Stellantis, further highlighting the strong ESG alignment between CATL and leading OEMs.

The partnership is key to CATL developing fully responsible batteries for the global market, as well as to drive ESG practice in the battery industry as an industry leader. It provides a robust, data-driven basis for CATL to engage its suppliers and sub-suppliers to better explain and monitor adherence to responsible sourcing, responsible mining and ESG performance requirements in its supply chain, as well as to measure and demonstrate its positive impact both on society and the environment.

Additionally, by supporting RCS Global’s Better Mining programme in partnership with other global industry leaders, CATL is making a direct contribution to improve conditions in mining communities. RCS Global in 2022 is looking to expand the scope of the programme beyond 40 artisanal and small-scale mine (ASM) sites.

RCS Global CEO, Dr Nicholas Garrett, said: “CATL is making a significant statement of intent here, so to move the dial on responsibility and ESG performance in various battery materials value chains. RCS Global’s work programme sets a benchmark for EU Battery Regulation-aligned responsible sourcing, and with CATL’s reach, it offers significant opportunities for measurable improvement of practices throughout a large section of the global battery supply chain.”

CATL's Director of Sustainability, Dennis Pan, added: “CATL is firmly committed to delivering excellent contributions to the new energy industry and views sustainable development as a strategic objective of the company. In supporting the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals and our customers’ requirements, we are glad to expand our collaboration with RCS Global for responsible sourcing activities.”

Read the article online at: https://www.globalminingreview.com/environment-sustainability/13102021/rcs-global-and-catl-expand-collaboration-to-develop-responsible-batteries/