Britishvolt and Circulor enter carbon-tracking strategic partnership
Britishvolt has entered into a strategic partnership with Circulor, the leading provider of sustainable supply chain and dynamic CO2 traceability, to set a new benchmark in CO2 footprint tracking across all of its process, including the build of its Gigaplant and wider supply chain monitoring.
The process will lead to an industry wide benchmark platform, that paves the way for others, to track its roadmap to net zero.
The news represents a major milestone for Britishvolt’s quest to assist vehicle OEMs on their roadmap to electrification, underscoring its values and dynamic Environmental, Social & Governance Principles and Commitments.
While European Gigaplants are seen to be entering a sustainability race, with many saying they will produce the world’s greenest batteries, Circulor and Britishvolt [BV] are turning words into actions through the announcement of their strategic partnership to deliver tangible proof of their contribution towards achieving a low carbon, net-zero society.
BV has instructed Circulor to trace building material supply chains to fully understand inherited CO2 emissions used in BV’s Gigaplant and in the process make this information readily available. It is believed to be the first time that both CO2 emissions from construction materials and a combined assessment of the social, economic and environmental impact on the local and regional economy for a large building have been tracked in this way.
Circulor will provide BV with a dynamic and living digital building inventory for the Gigaplant during the build phase to set a new global benchmark for sustainable/green construction and manufacturing. This will help on the company’s quest to build some of the world’s most low carbon battery cells.
Circulor will also ensure supply chain traceability for the battery materials used by BV, from source to manufacturing. This will allow BV to map CO2 emissions and other ESG considerations in its supply chains, and ensure materials are responsibly sourced.
Orral Nadjari, Britishvolt CEO/founder, said: “This is another prime example of Britishvolt going above and beyond on its mission to decarbonise society. This data will allow for a complete and honest audit of the company’s net zero ambitions. We will set a new CO2 footprint traceability tool that will redefine industry standards.
“Producing some of the greenest batteries on the planet isn’t just about tracking the raw materials supply chain, it’s also about making sure the facilities we build, the energy we are supplied, in fact everything we do, is as sustainable and ethically delivered as possible.
“We are very excited to be partnering with Circulor on this project. Britishvolt has a strong social values agenda, as well as world-class Environmental, Social and Governance Principles and Commitments. At our very heart is doing the right thing. This project is the right thing for UK plc, and its people, on the roadmap to a low carbon, sustainable future.”
Luise Müller-Hofstede, Client Partner, Circulor, said: “It’s time to turn words into actions. We are truly excited to be working with Britishvolt and to have found this strong partner for jointly setting and, more importantly, demonstrating a new
global standard for green construction and battery cell production.
“We believe this is pioneering work, tracking both CO2 emissions from construction materials for a large building, and its social, economic and environmental impact on its local and regional economy, for the first time. Doing the right thing is contagious and being part of BV’s journey is truly exciting.
“With BV racing forward, I hope this will encourage the wider industry to act responsibly. We all have to work together, collectively, on the road map to net-zero.”
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.
Enabling works started on the site Sep. 6, following a unanimous planning application approval in July, 2021.
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. First production will start at the end of 2023. This allows the business to keep on top of any technological advancements.
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.
Image: Shutterstock
