- Joining the FCA is evidence of Britishvolt’s commitments of doing the right thing for the right reasons, and aligns with its core Environmental, Social and Governance Principles and Commitments
- Britishvolt aims to set new benchmarks across the battery supply chain, and this is further proof of the company’s drive to be a flagbearer for equality, diversity, inclusion and belonging regardless of where in its supply chain
- BV joins other stakeholder including Tesla, Glencore and The Impact Facility
Northumberland 7/10/21: Britishvolt, the UK’s foremost investor in battery cell technologies and associated R&D, is proud to join the Fair Cobalt Alliance (FCA). The FCA is a multistakeholder action platform committed to developing responsible and fair Artisanal mining (ASM) cobalt supply in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The FCA brings together participants from across the cobalt mineral supply chain to improve the lives of mining communities in the DRC. This is achieved through strategies which improve vital health and safety conditions at artisanal cobalt mining sites; address and remediate child labour; promote more transparent cobalt remuneration; and extend greater opportunities to local ASM communities – through fostering entrepreneurship both inside and outside the mines.
The news is in line with the world-class ESG strategy being structured by BV. Part of the ESG Principles and Commitments states: “Assessing labour, human rights and ethical procurement performance of our suppliers, seeking to co-operate with suppliers on ESG issues when necessary.”
Britishvolt believes that collective action and collaboration is essential for a successful energy transition.
“This is a great initiative to be part of. Britishvolt has a very clear and defined ambition to create one of the best-in-class ESG frameworks. By joining the FCA we are aiming to reduce environmental impact, improve working conditions for miners and support action that redirect children to school and education in the Democratic Republic of Congo. BV believes that it’s the responsibility of the entire battery industry, including manufacturers, to ensure that everyone involved is treated with respect and given the right opportunities. Collaboration is of vital importance to ensure success for all.”
The FCA website also states the importance of unity across the supply chain.
“Only by joining forces throughout the cobalt supply chain, can we address and reverse these complex negative social and environmental impacts.”
It also states that, “The FCA drives the development of fair cobalt by supporting the professionalisation of ASM site management, ensuring an uptake of responsible mining practices and channeling financial investment into mine improvements, with the goal of making mines safer, minimising environmental impact and creating decent working conditions for men and women working at the mines.”
Craig Woodburn, Head of ESG at Britishvolt
“We welcome Britishvolt to the FCA. The business complements our growing membership and represents the breadth of stakeholders in the cobalt value chain that we are able to bring together.
“It is a bold step for a company starting out to make this commitment – we look forward to seeing how Britishvolt’s role in the FCA helps to shape its CSR strategy now and in the future.”
Dr Assheton, FCA’s Executive Director
Sep. 6 Britishvolt instructed ISG to commence enabling works on the UK’s premier Gigaplant site in Cambois, Northumberland. This followed planning approval, by unanimous decision, in July, 2021.
The development is a major boost for Northumberland, and indeed the country, and will bring around 3,000 direct highly-skilled jobs and another 5,000+ in the associated supply chains.
Britishvolt is on target to manufacture some of the world’s most sustainable, low carbon battery cells on the site of the former Blyth Power Station coal stocking yard located in Cambois, Northumberland.
The project will be built in phases towards total capacity by end-2027 onwards. This allows the business to keep on top of any technological advancements. First production will commence in late-2023.
Once at full capacity, the Gigaplant will have a production capability equating to approximately enough cells for around 300,000 electric vehicle battery packs per year, intended primarily for the automotive industry.
It will be the first large full cycle Gigaplant in the UK.
Safe Harbour.
Certain statements in this press release concerning our future growth prospects are forward-looking statements regarding our future business expectation intended to qualify for the ‘safe harbor’ under the U.S. Private Securities Reform Act of 1995, which involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in such forward-looking statements.
The risks and uncertainties relating to these statements include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties regarding fluctuations in earnings, fluctuations in foreign exchange rates, our ability to manage growth, competition including those factors which may affect our cost advantage, equipment procurement, wage increases, our ability to attract and retain highly skilled professionals, time and cost overruns on fixed-price, fixed-time contracts or time and material construction contracts, customer concentration, restrictions on immigration, industry segment concentration, our ability to manage international operations, reduced demand, disruptions in telecommunication networks or system failures, our ability to successfully complete and integrate potential acquisitions, liability for damages related to battery service agreements, the success of the companies in which Britishvolt has made strategic partnerships, withdrawal or expiration of governmental fiscal incentives, political instability and regional conflicts, legal restrictions on raising capital or acquiring companies and unauthorised use of our intellectual property and general economic conditions affecting our industry. In addition, please note any forward-looking statements contained herein are based on assumptions we believe to be reasonable as of the date of this press release.