- Northvolt is looking to source cobalt for EV battery chemicals from the Democratic Republic of Congo.
- Over two-thirds of the EV battery market uses cobalt for its energy density, safety and performance attributes.
Swedish battery maker, Northvolt, said today it is looking to source cobalt, used to make chemicals for electric vehicle (EV) batteries, from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The company has trialled material, studied work processes and compared plans to improve social and environmental sustainability to find long-term partners. The firm currently sources cobalt from Australia and other countries.
Congo is the world’s largest cobalt supplier, where up to a fifth of its production is generated by artisanal miners working in filthy and dangerous conditions with little pricing power for their hard-won ore. Northvolt has been in talks with local stakeholders participating in large-scale artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM). The company said it was not ready to source ASM cobalt but has joined the Fair Cobalt Alliance, which aims to make artisanal mines safer, minimise their environmental impact and create suitable working conditions for miners.
According to The Cobalt Institute, EV makers have embraced non-cobalt battery chemistries like lithium-iron-phosphate. Still, over two-thirds of the EV battery market uses cobalt for its energy density, safety and performance attributes. Northvolt has raised billions of dollars to build factories across Europe and North America and has more than $55 billion worth of contracts from carmakers.