SP Member News Roundup – April 2024

SP provides a forum for global automotive manufacturers and their large and small suppliers to work together toward a shared vision of an automotive industry with positive environmental impact.

This monthly series collects recent news and updates through April 2024 highlighting efforts of SP member companies and partners to advance initiatives with positive environmental impact.

• American Battery Technology Company Announces Commissioning of First-of-Kind Facility for Manufacturing of Battery Grade Lithium Hydroxide from Nevada Claystone Deposit, American Battery Technology Company announced the completion of construction and start of commissioning of its lithium hydroxide (LiOH) pilot plant marking a significant milestone in the commercialization of its internally-developed processes to access an unrealized domestic primary lithium resource. Click Here
• Alight, Lear expand onsite solar partnership with 5 additional projects across Europe, Alight announced an expanded onsite solar partnership with Lear Corporation. Through this partnership, Alight will develop, own and operate five additional onsite solar assets at Lear locations in Spain, the U.K. and Poland. Click Here
• Ascend Elements and Elemental Strategic Metals Establish AE Elemental, and Electric Vehicle Battery Recycling JV, Elemental Strategic Metals of Zawiercie, Poland and Ascend Elements of Westborough, Mass., announced the formation of AE Elemental™, a joint venture based in Zawiercie, Poland. Together, the companies will jointly own (50/50) and operate a newly constructed, best-in-class electric vehicle (EV) battery recycling facility in Zawiercie, Poland. Click Here
• Cirba Solutions Launches “SustainABILITY 10,000” as it Commits 10,000 Hours to Sustainability Education in Local Communities, Cirba Solutions announced a considerable investment in sustainable battery recycling education. A new initiative titled, “SustainABILITY 10,000,” looks to turn communities into educated eco-living experts by Cirba Solutions and its team who will commit to 10,000 hours of community engagement, sustainable practices and education in communities across North America. Click Here
• Community Spirit Grows in Cummins’ Giving Garden, During the warm spring and summer months, groups of Jamestown Engine Plant (JEP) employees step away from the engine assembly line and into the Giving Garden. Click Here
• Covanta Celebrates its Transformation into Reworld™, Following two years of investment, transformation and growth, Covanta proudly announces the next milestone in its strategic evolution as a pioneering sustainable waste solutions company with its new identity: Reworld™. Click Here
• Cox Automotive Deploying Industry-First, VIN-Specific EV Battery Health Solution Across Manheim Locations, Cox Automotive is rolling out the used car industry’s only solution that will measure the EV battery health for each specific VIN across Manheim. In addition, the company is expanding LotVision’s capabilities of reporting battery health for each unique vehicle. Both enhancements give wholesale buyers and sellers the information they need to make more informed and confident decisions. Click Here
• Cox Enterprises Recognized for Achieving 92% Waste Diversion from Landfill, Becoming the First Enterprise wide Service Company Verified by GreenCircle, Cox Enterprises has announced the achievement of its ambitious goal to send Zero Waste to Landfill by 2024. Cox is the first U.S.-based, enterprise-wide service company to be verified by GreenCircle Certified as achieving a 92% waste diversion rate. This achievement meets Zero Waste USA’s definition of a zero-waste business. Click Here 
• CSX Unveils Its First Hydrogen-Powered Locomotive in Collaboration with CPKC, CSX has unveiled its first hydrogen-powered locomotive, marking a significant milestone in sustainable freight transportation. This pioneering achievement is the result of a successful partnership between CSX and Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) and demonstrates the company’s commitment to innovation and environmental stewardship. Click Here
• D.E.E.P. is the First Dealership Program Ever to Receive a DOE Better Practice Award, In early April, Toyota’s Dealership Environmental Excellence Program (D.E.E.P.) was recognized with a Department of Energy (DOE) Better Practice Award. DOE’s prestigious Better Project and Better Practice awards recognize partners for innovative and industry-leading accomplishments implementing decarbonization, energy and water efficiency, or waste reduction initiatives. Click Here
• DENSO, Manufacture 2030 Partner to Improve Supply Chain Sustainability, DENSO is collaborating with Manufacture 2030 to boost supply chain sustainability. Through the partnership, which began last spring, DENSO is encouraging its suppliers to join Manufacture 2030’s cloud-based platform, a dynamic tool that allows participants to measure, manage and reduce carbon emissions from their operations. Click Here
• Enel and Eaton complete largest clean energy microgrid in Puerto Rico, Enel North America and intelligent power management company Eaton today announced the completion of Puerto Rico’s largest clean energy microgrid. The system, located at Eaton’s circuit breaker manufacturing facility in Arecibo, combines a 5-megawatt (MWac) solar system with a 1.1 MW battery and existing onsite generators. Click Here
• ERA Celebrates 29 Years as a Leading EHS Provider for the Automotive Industry, ERA commemorates its 29th year as one of North America’s most in-demand providers of EHS software, consulting, and compliance assistance, a reputation it owes to a company culture that prioritizes personal connection and scientific expertise. Click Here
• EVelution Energy and Glencore Sign a Letter of Intent to Supply EVelution’s U.S. Cobalt Processing Facility, Glencore and EVelution Energy, have signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) to support the development of EVelution’s cobalt processing facility in the United States. Cobalt sulfate is a critical material for EV batteries and is crucial to America’s initiative to electrify the nation’s automotive fleet and transition to a net-zero economy. Click Here
• Gentherm Releases 2023 Sustainability Report, Gentherm, published its 2023 Sustainability Report.The 2023 Sustainability Report highlights Gentherm’s key areas of focus: People, Planet and Places, and provides updates on previously established environmental performance metrics. Click Here
• Honda Plans to Establish Comprehensive Electric Vehicle Value Chain in Ontario, Canada, Honda Motor Co., Ltd. announced that it plans to build a comprehensive EV value chain in Canada with an approximate investment of CAD$15 billion, including investment by joint venture partners, to strengthen its EV supply system and capability to prepare for a future increase in EV demand in North America. Click Here
• Honda Awards $500,000 Grant to Establish 2024-2025 HBCU Band Scholarship Program with Thurgood Marshall College Fund, Honda has announced a $500,000 grant to Thurgood Marshall College Fund that will be dedicated to awarding scholarships to students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) participating in band programs. Click Here
• Huntsman To Donate $500,000 Over Next Five Years to Montgomery County Food Bank to Help Feed Additional 5,000 Households Per Month, Huntsman associates participated in a celebratory groundbreaking event on Wednesday to help expand the Montgomery County Food Bank in Conroe, Texas.  A longtime benefactor of MCFB, Huntsman Corporation’s $500,000 donation over five years is also being matched by Brynn and Peter Huntsman. Click Here
• MAGNA International Releases 2023 Sustainability Report, At Magna, we are committed to making a positive impact on the environment and society. This report highlights our efforts, achievements, and future goals in the realm of sustainability. We believe that sustainability is not just a responsibility but an opportunity to create a better future for all. Click Here
• Orbis Introduces Orbishield ECO™ Dunnage, ORBIS Corporation is proud to announce its latest innovation in sustainable packaging materials with the introduction of ORBIShield ECO™, a new eco-friendly dunnage product line focused on providing protective packaging solutions while reducing environmental impacts. Click Here
• Toyota Charges Up Investment and Jobs in U.S. Manufacturing, Toyota will prepare for assembly of an all-new, three row battery electric SUV in the U.S. as part of a new $1.4 billion investment in its Princeton facility, affirming Toyota’s commitment to reinvesting profits in its U.S. operations and bringing total investment in Toyota Indiana to $8 billion. Click Here
• Toyota Ventures Raises Another $300 Million to Expand Early-Stage Investments in Frontier Technology and Climate Solutions, Elemental Strategic Metals of Zawiercie, Poland and Ascend Elements of Westborough, Mass., announced the formation of AE Elemental™, a joint venture based in Zawiercie, Poland. Together, the companies will jointly own (50/50) and operate a newly constructed, best-in-class electric vehicle (EV) battery recycling facility in Zawiercie, Poland. Click Here
• VLS Environmental Solutions, LLC Releases 2023 Sustainability Report, This publication marks a milestone in VLS’s journey towards enhanced sustainability and ethical business practices. Amidst a transformational year, characterized by new leadership, the advent of groundbreaking business initiatives, and an expanded operational footprint, we’ve reinforced our pledge to prioritize health, safety, and positive community and environmental impact. Click Here
• Yamaha Moves Toward Carbon Neutrality in Georgia with Installation of Solar Arrays at Kennesaw and Newnan Facilities, Yamaha Motor Corporation will install solar arrays at the company’s Southeastern Headquarters in Kennesaw, Ga. and Yamaha Motor Manufacturing Corporation of America (YMMC) in Newnan, Ga. this summer. Click Here
• Growing Collaboration of Global Automakers and Suppliers Driving Carbon Reporting and Reduction through Supply Chain. A collaborative effort facilitated by the Suppliers Partnership for the Environment (SP), Manufacture 2030 (M2030), and leading automakers and suppliers such as DENSO, Ford Motor Company, General Motors, Honda Development & Manufacturing of America, Magna, and Toyota Motor North America is engaging nearly 20,000 automotive supplier manufacturing sites globally seeking to improve consistency in Scope 3 emissions reporting and to reduce carbon emissions within the supply chain. Click Here

SP members may send their environmental sustainability news to info@supplierspartnership.org for consideration in future news roundups. And, be sure to follow us on LinkedIn to keep up with the latest SP news and updates.