BMW Group commissions study on sustainable lithium extraction
2020-12-18 13:14:55 [Print]
The BMW Group is continuing its efforts to achieve sustainable supply chains and has commissioned two renowned American universities to conduct a scientific analysis of water consumption in the lithium extraction process. The aim of the study will be to investigate the impacts of lithium extraction on the hydrologic environment in Latin America.
BASF SE contributes to finance the study. Both companies – BMW Group and BASF SE – are already working successfully together with other partners in the "Cobalt for Development" project in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Two thirds of the world's lithium reserves are found in Latin America. However, there has so far been a lack of scientific research into how lithium extraction impacts the region. The BMW Group intends to fill this gap with the study it has commissioned.
The final results of the study should be available in the first half of 2022 and will include a five-tier rating system. This rating is designed to provide companies with better guidance on sustainable lithium extraction in Latin America.
The BMW Group is sourcing lithium for its fifth-generation high-voltage batteries itself and making it available to its battery cell supply chains. The company currently sources its Lithium feedstock from Australian mines that use hard rock mining to extract the material.
BASF SE contributes to finance the study. Both companies – BMW Group and BASF SE – are already working successfully together with other partners in the "Cobalt for Development" project in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Two thirds of the world's lithium reserves are found in Latin America. However, there has so far been a lack of scientific research into how lithium extraction impacts the region. The BMW Group intends to fill this gap with the study it has commissioned.
The final results of the study should be available in the first half of 2022 and will include a five-tier rating system. This rating is designed to provide companies with better guidance on sustainable lithium extraction in Latin America.
The BMW Group is sourcing lithium for its fifth-generation high-voltage batteries itself and making it available to its battery cell supply chains. The company currently sources its Lithium feedstock from Australian mines that use hard rock mining to extract the material.
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