Mercedes-Benz Expands Lithium Manufacturing in Germany

There was a number of concern about battery supplies and international geopolitical dangers. In some methods, it will be straightforward to simply maintain counting on China for uncommon earth minerals, lithium, and different issues we want for the power transition. However, as we’ve discovered prior to now, relying on anyone an excessive amount of offers them a lever they’ll use in opposition to you.

The bean counters who assume by way of quarterly income will disagree and say that we’re mis-allocating wealth, however the dangers have confirmed themselves prior to now. In 2010, China’s resolution to withhold provides from Japan resulted in Japan’s vulnerability to compromise on a border dispute. This occasion might have been a driving drive behind Japan’s resolution to take a definite strategy to wash know-how, which might doubtlessly clarify their continued emphasis on hydrogen know-how for vehicles. In distinction, most different nations are presently prioritizing the event of battery-electric autos.

So, if we don’t wish to get the rug pulled from beneath us sooner or later, and set the clear know-how revolution again, we’d higher discover a higher rug to face on.

Luckily, U.S. and European leaders have wised up. A great instance is the Inflation Discount Act of 2022. In a bit limiting which autos are eligible for tax credit, it says:

“EXCLUDED ENTITIES.—For functions of two this part, the time period ‘new clear automobile’ shall not embrace–

‘(A) any automobile positioned in service after December 31, 2024, with respect to which any of the relevant crucial minerals contained within the battery of such automobile (as described in subsection (e)(1)(A)) had been extracted, processed, or recycled by a overseas entity of concern (as outlined in part 40207(a)(5) of the Infrastructure Funding and Jobs Act (42 U.S.C. 18741(a)(5))), or

‘‘(B) any automobile positioned in service after December 31, 2023, with respect to which any of the parts contained within the battery of such automobile (as described in subsection (e)(2)(A)) had been manufactured or assembled by a overseas entity of concern (as so outlined).’’

International entities of concern discuss with nations that aren’t trusted by the US authorities and will pose a possible risk to US pursuits. This phrase is used to explain nations which may be deemed untrustworthy or harmful within the eyes of the US. It isn’t unusual for the US to impose sanctions or different measures on these nations to guard its nationwide safety and pursuits. On this case, they’re placing battery supplies from China on uneven footing to provide minerals from the U.S. and allies a greater likelihood.

A lot of the information of response to this has come out of the USA itself and Canada, nevertheless it’s essential to notice that the ripple impact extends to Europe. They’re going through the same drawback, and wish extra home lithium manufacturing, and never only for automakers to promote into the USA.

And, an announcement from Mercedes-Benz a couple of days in the past reveals that the corporate is taking this significantly. Right this moment, Rock Tech Lithium Inc., a German-Canadian startup, held a groundbreaking ceremony for its lithium plant in Guben, Brandenburg. This occasion marks a big milestone for Mercedes-Benz, enabling higher vertical integration and localization in its drive applied sciences as a part of its electrification targets in Europe. The partnership with Rock Tech will enable Mercedes-Benz to offer its battery companions with high-grade lithium hydroxide, which is able to support in scaling up manufacturing of absolutely electrical autos.

“For Mercedes-Benz, the shift in direction of electrical mobility additionally means a change in our provide chains. Three targets are central to us: Sustainability, uncooked supplies safety and localisation of procurement,” mentioned Markus Schäfer, Member of the Board of Administration of Mercedes-Benz Group AG. Chief Know-how Officer, Improvement & Procurement. “Right this moment’s groundbreaking in Guben is subsequently one other milestone for Mercedes-Benz in direction of the sustainable manufacturing of state-of-the-art batteries. With regards to our lithium provide right here in Europe, Rock Tech will play a key function for Mercedes-Benz sooner or later.”

Mercedes-Benz and Rock Tech’s strategic partnership was revealed in the course of the German-Canadian summit held in August 2022 in Toronto. The partnership adopted the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Mercedes-Benz AG and Canada. This MOU paved the best way for deeper collaboration between the 2 corporations throughout all facets of the automotive worth chain, with a specific deal with the event of pure assets.

In keeping with the availability settlement between Mercedes-Benz and Rock Tech, the 2 corporations will work collectively to create a plan to attain web carbon-neutral manufacturing of lithium hydroxide by 2030. Moreover, the lithium hydroxide equipped by Rock Tech should originate from mining websites which have undergone an audit by the Initiative for Accountable Mining Assurance (“IRMA”).

A part of a Greater Effort

Mercedes-Benz identified within the announcement that it has been doing different issues to strengthen the lithium business in Europe. The corporate has been actively pursuing varied initiatives to ramp up its electrical automobile manufacturing capabilities. The corporate will leverage its battery vegetation positioned in Untertuerkheim (Hedelfingen & Bruehl), Kamenz, and Jawor (Poland), in addition to the introduced websites in Sindelfingen and Koelleda to assist its EV plans. ACC will provide the batteries, which shall be produced in three European factories: Douvrain, Kaiserslautern, and Termoli. Furthermore, the eCampus middle for competence in analysis and improvement, which is being developed on the coronary heart of the Untertuerkheim plant, will deal with creating new battery and battery cell generations.

Mercedes-Benz can also be engaged on growing its renewable power technology capabilities. The corporate goals to cowl over 70% of its energy technology wants with renewable power sources by 2030. It has begun development of its personal battery recycling plant in Kuppenheim, Germany, and is creating a high-power charging community in Europe.

Lastly, Mercedes-Benz has taken steps in direction of sustainable closed-loop recycling of battery supplies to scale back useful resource consumption. These initiatives are in keeping with the corporate’s sustainability technique, Ambition 2039, which prioritizes the enablement of EV charging with inexperienced power.

This newest announcement, mixed with these different efforts, present us that the corporate is fairly critical about not simply promoting EVs, however ensuring that the supplies come from extra moral and geopolitically protected sources. Mixed with bulletins like this we’ve coated from different corporations, it’s clear that the business is attempting to do the best factor.

Featured picture supplied by Mercedes-Benz.

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