Areas of application in the automotive industry.

• Main areas of application: Cathode material in the battery cell (high-voltage storage, low-voltage storage)
• Other areas of application: Transmission, engine and electronic components 

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 of mining residues on water, soil and air, e.g. tailings and Ocean Mine Water Disposal, and loss of biodiversity
• CO₂-emissions, especially in mining and during processing due to energy consumption and dependence on fossil fuels
• Violation of workers' rights, e.g. due to a lack of occupational safety measures and potential toxic emissions during further processing
• Threats to the rights of local communities and indigenous peoples
• Weak state control of existing environmental and social standards

Catalog of measures.

• Cooperation with suppliers along the supply chain and planning of audits to increase the proportion of secondary materials and reduceCO₂-emissions
• On-site visits to critical stakeholders and conducting a scoping study to develop risk mitigation measures.
• Empowering direct suppliers in the procurement process and actively demanding recognized certifications (e.g. IRMA and RMI) for mines and smelters/refiners
• Establishment of a closed material cycle for the reuse of the raw materials nickel, lithium and cobalt from high-voltage batteries in China

Initiatives.

• Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance (IRMA): collaboration on the further development of the IRMA standard
• Responsible Minerals Initiative: BMW Group membership
• Cross-manufacturer initiative work as part of the Raw Materials Working Group of Drive Sustainability: Nickel risk profile for all automotive manufacturers (OEM), the so-called Raw Material Outlook, developed
• Membership of the Global Battery Alliance: Development of a sustainable and responsible value chain for batteries
• Battery Pass consortium: collaboration on the development of a battery passport based on the new EU Battery Regulation