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RCS Global and CATL consolidate and expand cross-supply chain collaboration to develop responsible batteries

  • The landmark partnership will expand to assess around 80 CATL suppliers for responsible sourcing, responsible mining and ESG performance.
  • In addition to cobalt, lithium and graphite, the expanded partnership will now also cover aluminium, copper, nickel and manganese.
  • The partnership optimizes CATL’s risk management strategy for supply chains to meet its social responsibility aspirations as well as expectations from customers and the global market.
  • RCS Global and CATL have already completed supplier responsibility audits for customers, including Volkswagen Group, Daimler, Volvo Cars, Stellantis and several others.


Ningde /London, October 13, 2021. RCS Global Group (RCS Global) and Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Ltd. (CATL) have announced a major consolidation and expansion of their responsible battery supply chain partnership, which was first launched in November 2020.

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) programs 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 program, 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 program 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 program beyond 40 artisanal and small-scale mine (ASM) sites.

Speaking about the partnership, 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 program 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.”

RCS Global CEO Dr. Nicholas Garrett.

Speaking about the partnership, CATL’s Director of Sustainability Dennis Pan said:

 “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”

CATL’s Director of Sustainability Dennis Pan.

About Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Limited
Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Limited (CATL) is a global leader in new energy technology innovation, committed to providing premier solutions and services for new energy applications worldwide. In June 2018, the company went public on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange with stock code 300750. According to SNE Research, in the year 2020, CATL’s EV battery consumption volume ranked No.1 in the world for four consecutive years. CATL also enjoys wide recognition by global OEM partners. To achieve the goal of realizing fossil fuel replacement in stationary and mobile energy systems with highly efficient electrical power systems that are generated through advanced batteries and renewable energy, and promote the integrated innovation of market applications with electrification and intelligentization, CATL maintains continuous innovation in four dimensions including battery chemistry system, structure system, manufacturing system and business models. For more information, please visit https://www.catl.com

About RCS Global Group
RCS Global Group (RCS Global) is the global leader in data-driven ESG performance, responsible sourcing and responsible mining assurance. The leading automotive and electronics OEMs, battery manufacturers and the most significant mining operators work with RCS Global on value chain conformance with the EU Battery Regulation and other global legislative and normative frameworks advancing ESG performance improvements in the global battery economy.

 


Battery Raw Materials Partnership