ESG Overview

ESG is reshaping the business landscape, combining financial and ethical values. Organizations need to align these principles with their strategy, capital allocation, and operations to navigate the challenges of the future. ESG will be a driving force in the next wave of transformation amid global shifts such as technological disruption, climate change, geopolitical changes, social tension, and the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Volterra aims to address environmental challenges with its long-life battery technology. This technology is crucial for large-scale clean energy projects and electric vehicles, offering a sustainable alternative to current batteries with short lifespans. Volterra's batteries contribute to renewable sustainability by integrating clean energy sources in their production. The technology also minimizes the environmental impact associated with the production, processing, and disposal of batteries.

A life cycle analysis of lithium-ion batteries underscores the importance of recycling to reduce environmental and health impacts. Batteries with cathodes containing nickel and cobalt were found to have the highest environmental impacts, including resource depletion, global warming, ecological toxicity, and human health effects. Recycling processes, such as hydrometallurgical and pyrometallurgical recovery, can significantly reduce these impacts by recovering metals at the end of a battery's life.

The report emphasizes the need to increase battery lifetimes, reduce the use of cobalt and nickel, and incorporate recovered materials into battery production. While historically focused on cobalt, battery recycling is evolving to address other materials like lithium and nickel. Recycling will play a vital role in preserving virgin resources and reducing the environmental impact of battery production. Overall, the report identifies opportunities to enhance the life cycle impacts of lithium-ion batteries through sustainable practices and innovation.