Areas of application automotive industry.

• Main areas of application: Battery (high-voltage storage, low-voltage storage)

The BMW Group systematically analyzes globally known and typical risks in connection with the extraction and processing of raw materials and derives appropriate measures.

Analyzing risks.

• Environmental impact on biodiversity and water bodies due to excessive use of surface water and improper disposal of mining residues, e.g. tailings
• Water consumption in arid (dry) areas
• Endangering the rights of local communities and indigenous peoples

Catalog of measures.

• To promote the procurement of raw materials from responsible sources, the BMW Group relies, among other things, on the direct purchase of lithium
• IRMA memberships of important lithium producers from Chile and Argentina have been obtained
• Investments in innovative technologies via the Venture capital fund BMW Ventures (US startup Lilac Solutions) to improve the extraction of lithium from brine in terms of efficiency, costs and sustainability
• Establishment of a closed material cycle to reuse the raw materials nickel, lithium and cobalt from high-voltage batteries in China
• Scientific study on the impact of lithium mining on local water resources in Latin America by the Universities of Alaska-Anchorage and Massachusetts-Amherst. The research results are summarized in the following Research Summary (EN/ES)
• Lithium pilot project (automotive industry dialog): Disseminating and publicizing country-level quality and action recommendations for responsible lithium mining
• Engagement in the on-site project "Responsible Lithium Partnership"

Initiatives.

• Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance (IRMA): collaboration on the further development of the IRMA standard
• Industry dialog in the automotive industry: participation in the working group "Respect for human rights in raw material value chains and supply networks"
• Membership of the multi-stakeholder platform "Responsible Lithium Partnership"
• Battery Pass consortium: collaboration on the development of a battery passport based on the new EU Battery Regulation
• Membership of the Global Battery Alliance: development of a sustainable and responsible value chain for batteries