The objectives of the European Union to become a self-sufficient producer of batteries for electric vehicles is in danger if this is included in the list of dangerous elements for human health.
The European Union wants to become a self-sufficient producer of batteries for electric vehicles in 2025, thus ceasing to depend on Asian countries, mainly China. However, if the proposal of the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) to classify some lithium compounds as hazardous to health, this will not be possible.
And it is that, as reported by Reutersthe aforementioned continental body has proposed to the European Commission that it include the lithium carbonate, chloride and hydroxide on the list of dangerous elements for human health.
The consequences of classifying lithium as hazardous to health
If this proposal is approved, lithium could continue to be used and imported into the European Union, but costs would increase as a result of a stricter legislation on processing, packaging and storage.
One of the world’s leading producers of lithium, the American company Albemarlehas denounced that if the inclusion of these lithium compounds on said list is finally confirmed, it is very likely that it will be forced to close its plant in Langelsheim (Germany).
“Albemarle would no longer be able to import our main raw material, lithium chloride, putting the entire facility at risk of closure”, has indicated the financial director Scott Tozier. “With sales of approximately $500 million annually, the economic impact to Albemarle from the potential closure would be significant,” Tozier added.
In the past two years, both Europe and the United States have redoubled efforts to build independent supply chains that reduce China’s strength in the industry of minerals needed to make electric vehicles, wind turbines and solar panels.
Tozier reiterates that the measure being studied by the European Commission “would make it difficult to locate the European Union’s battery supply chain and, instead, would move the process to a location outside the EU, thus creating the need to import”.
“Future battery recycling and cathode manufacturing would move outside the EU. Albemarle would not be able to convert materials locally, and any lithium feedstock from the EU would have to be exported to create cathodes”enlarge.
ECHA’s proposal will be discussed at a meeting to be held by the member states of the European Union on July 5 and 6although the final decision probably won’t come until later this year or early 2023.
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