Month: September 2023

September 7, 2023 /3BL/ – A new guidebook was released today to provide companies with a resource to support responsible corporate engagement efforts in the electric vehicle (EV) battery supply chain that will improve resiliency, advance sustainability, and reduce the social and environmental impacts of scaling up EV battery production.

Electric Vehicle Batteries: A Guidebook for Responsible Corporate Engagement Throughout the Supply Chain comes as many private and public companies are already operating electric vehicle fleets or plan to soon purchase fleets to reduce their carbon footprint and capture cost savings. For these companies, electric vehicle fleets are supporting their business goals to meet their financial and climate targets. With EV markets undergoing exponential growth, the pressure on EV battery supply chains is intensifying, thereby amplifying the challenges companies already confront. This soaring demand for batteries hinges on critical mineral extraction and refining processes that inherently carry both environmental and social impacts.

“Corporate and consumer demand for electric vehicles is already playing a critical role in decarbonizing the country’s transportation sector. And that demand is only going to expand, along with the need for critical minerals and other materials for the batteries that will help power those vehicles.” said Sara Forni, director of clean vehicles and head of the Corporate Electric Vehicle Alliance at Ceres. “Companies have the potential to exert considerable influence over how the supply chain operates through thoughtful purchasing practices and advocacy, and this guidebook equips them with the knowledge and tools necessary to foster and promote a more sustainable and resilient EV battery supply chain.”

The guidebook highlights three key areas in the EV battery supply chain where corporate engagement can have the greatest impact: the mining of critical minerals, the recycling and reuse of batteries, and transparency and traceability along the supply chain. It categorizes corporate action in these areas by principles for procurement and engagement and actions.

The guidebook recommends that:

Fleet owners and vehicle manufacturers prioritize battery minerals sourced from Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance (IRMA)-certified mining operators where possible, and advocate for U.S mining reform that includes the remediation of abandoned mines and the implementation of royalties for local communities.Fleet owners and vehicle manufacturers prioritize EVs and batteries that are inherently designed for second-life use and recyclability, marked by clear labels indicating instructions for end-of-life processing. Manufacturers should also actively participate in extended producer responsibility schemes and establish partnerships for second-life usage and recycling initiatives.Companies use manufacturers engaged in the Global Battery Alliance’s Battery Passport initiative and encourage suppliers and collaborators to do the same. Companies should also advocate for federal policies that establish standardized EV battery labeling and traceability mechanisms.

Further, the U.S. has enacted several federal policies geared at fortifying supply chains and nurturing domestic EV battery manufacturing. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 includes substantial funding for critical minerals mining, processing, and research activities in the U.S. The Biden administration’s invoking of the Defense Production Act in 2022 has also served as a catalyst for increased domestic battery investment, fostering a reduced reliance on imports. The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 has subsequently expanded and redefined EV tax credits by including increasingly stringent material sourcing requirements including one that requires manufacturers to source or produce EV battery materials domestically or from nations holding free trade agreements with the U.S.

Corporate fleet operators are influential stakeholders in the EV supply chain, wielding substantial collective influence and purchasing power that can effectively shape policy agendas and industry priorities. The strategies contained in this guide are designed specifically for U.S. on-road fleets and other major companies. However, the information and recommendations included hold the potential to be of immense benefit to all stakeholders in the expansive EV supply chain network.

Ceres, in coordination with UC Berkeley’s Center for Law, Energy & the Environment, developed and released the guidebook. Ceres works to decarbonize the transportation sector—the highest-emitting sector of the U.S. economy—through the work of its Corporate Electric Vehicle Alliance and Ambition 2030 initiative.

About Ceres

Ceres is a nonprofit organization working with the most influential capital market leaders to solve the world’s greatest sustainability challenges. Through our powerful networks and global collaborations of investors, companies and nonprofits, we drive action and inspire equitable market-based and policy solutions throughout the economy to build a just and sustainable future. For more information, visit ceres.org and follow @CeresNews.

Media Contact: Reginald Zimmerman, rzimmerman@ceres.org, 617-247-0700 ext. 136

A necessidade de inovações tecnológicas favoráveis ao meio-ambiente acelerou o desenvolvimento de soluções que promovam economia de carbono nas operações de tratamento de superfícies. Ser mais eficiente com menor impacto ambiental, desejo de qualquer empresa, é importante não apenas em termos de negócios: ser produtivo com maior preservação dos recursos naturais se tornou um valioso pilar estratégico de responsabilidade social das empresas, o “S” do ESG, com a aplicação, de fato, da sustentabilidade das companhias, e não apenas em discursos.

Neste aspecto, a aplicação da nanotecnologia em camadas de substratos metálicos mostra-se uma poderosa ferramenta capaz de aliar eficiência, otimização de processos e maior proteção ambiental e laboral por meio de um processo altamente sustentável.

A adoção da nanotecnologia no tratamento de superfície de linhas brancas pode representar economia de até 70% de água, em razão, sobretudo, da menor quantidade de etapas químicas de limpeza em relação ao método convencional, reduzindo em média de 11 para seis etapas na operação de lavagem em linhas de eletrodomésticos, dispensando processos como o refinador de cristais e passivação, por exemplo. 

Essa redução de água se torna ainda mais significativa quando aplicada em grandes processos industriais de desengraxe ou conversão, com tanques de 30 mil a 100 mil litros em atividade 24 horas por dia. O processo feito pela Henkel com nano à base de Zicôrnio permitiu, por exemplo, que 270 mil litros de água fossem economizados na produção de linha branca de uma multinacional. Essa economia equivale a pouco mais de ¼ de uma piscina semiolímpica (25 metros). A otimização de etapas de pré-tratamento também significa menos equipamentos e mais espaço na área da fábrica.

Do ponto de vista energético, os desengraxe e conversores nano no sistema de tratamento de superfície feito com redução de temperatura em até 30°C promove maior eficiência energética com economia substancial no consumo de energia. Isso porque os produtos inovativos Henkel não precisam de aquecimento reduzindo complexidade de processo e podendo oferecer ao mercado um processo limpo, livre de metais pesados e garantindo a qualidade do produto dos nossos clientes. 

Com menos energia dispensada para lavagem das superfícies com baixa temperatura, é possível otimizar a utilização de recursos naturais e assegurar maior segurança laboral dentro da fábrica. 

As ações sustentáveis dentro das operações de tratamento de superfície requerem amplitude em suas atuações, analisando todos os processos produtivos até o descarte. Pré-tratamentos de pintura com processos de fosfatização resultam em uma certa quantidade de resíduos negativos à natureza. A borra de fosfato gerada necessita de uma eficiente gestão de resíduos na companhia para que essa lama seja descartada corretamente ou ganhe outras finalidades sem prejuízo ao meio-ambiente. 

Todo esse sistema de recolhimento de resíduos envolve profissionais e custos. As operações com nanotecnologias apresentam baixa formação de borra. Diferentemente da borra de fosfato, o pouco de borra gerado pode ser descartado diretamente na ETE (Estação de Tratamento de Superficie). Não há necessidade de destinação em empresa especializada.

Tão importante quanto se alinhar às boas práticas sustentáveis visando um bem maior, as novas tecnologias de pré-tratamento de superfície estão ganhando cada vez mais espaço no mercado em razão de sua performance robusta e em atendimento às normas e exigências dos clientes, podendo cooperar com um mundo mais sustentável. 

La necesidad de innovaciones tecnológicas respetuosas con el medio ambiente ha acelerado el desarrollo de soluciones, que fomenten el ahorro de carbono en las operaciones de tratamiento de superficies. Ser más eficiente con menor impacto ambiental, el deseo de cualquier empresa. Ser productivo con una mayor eficiencia en la preservación de los recursos naturales se ha convertido en un valioso pilar estratégico de la sostenibilidad corporativa, la “S” de ESG.

En este sentido, la aplicación de nanotecnología en capas de sustratos metálicos es una poderosa herramienta capaz de combinar eficiencia, optimización de procesos y mayor protección medioambiental y laboral a través de un proceso altamente sostenible.

La adopción de la nanotecnología en el tratamiento superficial de líneas blancas puede suponer un ahorro de hasta el 70% de agua, debido principalmente al menor número de pasos de limpieza química en comparación con el método convencional, reduciendo de media de 11 a seis los pasos de la operación de lavado en líneas de electrodomésticos, prescindiendo de procesos como el refinado de cristales y la pasivación, por ejemplo.

La reducción de agua se hace aún más significativa cuando se aplica a grandes procesos industriales de desengrase o conversión, con tanques de 30.000 a 100.000 litros en actividad las 24 horas del día. El proceso de Henkel con nano a base de Zircón permitió, por ejemplo, ahorrar 270.000 litros de agua en la producción de electrodomésticos de línea blanca de una multinacional. Este ahorro equivale a algo más de ¼ de una piscina semiolímpica (25 metros). La optimización de las fases de pretratamiento también supone menos equipos y más espacio en la zona de la producción.

Desde el punto de vista energético, el desengrase y los nano convertidores en el sistema de tratamiento de superficies realizados mediante la reducción de la temperatura en hasta 30°C promueven una mayor eficiencia energética con ahorros sustanciales en el consumo de energía. Esto se debe a que innovaciones como las presentadas por Henkel, no requieren un calentamiento previo ni posterior, reduciendo la complejidad y proporcionando al mercado un proceso limpio, libre de metales pesados y que garantiza la calidad de los productos de nuestros clientes.

Al utilizar menos energía para lavar las superficies a bajas temperaturas, es posible optimizar el uso de los recursos naturales y garantizar una mayor seguridad laboral dentro de la planta.

Las acciones sostenibles dentro de las operaciones de tratamiento de superficies requieren un abordaje transversal que tenga en cuenta todos los procesos de producción hasta la eliminación. Los pretratamientos de pintura con procesos de fosfatación generan una cierta cantidad de residuos negativos para la naturaleza por esta razón los lodos fosfatados generados requieren una gestión eficaz de los residuos para que los puedan disponer correctamente o utilizarse para otros fines sin perjudicar al medio ambiente.

Todo este sistema de recogida de residuos implica costo. Las operaciones de nanotecnología tienen una baja formación de lodos y a diferencia de los lodos de fosfato, los escasos lodos generados pueden disponerse directamente en la ETE (Planta de Tratamiento de Superficie). No es necesaria la disposición a través de una empresa especializada.

Esta es la razón por la cual es tan relevante hoy en día, alinearse con las buenas prácticas sostenibles para el bien común, las nuevas tecnologías de pretratamiento de superficies están ganando cada vez más espacio en el mercado debido a su sólido rendimiento y al cumplimiento de las normas y requisitos de los clientes, aportando a la construcción de un futuro más sostenible.

SECAUCUS, N.J., Sept. 7, 2023 /3BL/ – Quest Diagnostics (NYSE: DGX), the leader in diagnostic information services, today released its 2022 Corporate Responsibility Report.

The report provides information on the company’s strategy regarding environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues which aligns with The Quest Way, the company’s purpose, strategy and culture.

“Our approach to ESG helps us to deliver on our strategy and our purpose of working together to create a healthier world, one life at a time,” said Jim Davis, Chairman, CEO and President.

“This report highlights our strategies and initiatives in equity and health access, employee and community engagement, governance, and the environment. Quest is well-positioned to play an even more significant role in the evolving healthcare ecosystem, including through our investments in the areas of molecular genomics, oncology and consumer health. I’m proud of the work our team is doing to help create a healthier world, and excited about what lies ahead for us.”

In 2022, Quest took an important step in its ESG strategy, establishing a set of goals based on priorities identified in its materiality assessment. The four pillars of the company’s ESG strategy are: Governance and ethics; Equity and health access; Employee and community engagement; and Environmental sustainability.

“We’re making good progress executing our ESG strategy, driving alignment, and embedding ESG throughout our operations to build long-term sustainable value for all of our stakeholders,” said Sam Samad, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, who leads the company’s ESG Leadership Council. “Realizing our purpose of helping to create a healthier world requires a team effort among our employees, partners and the communities we serve.”

The report features key impact areas and highlights from 2022, including: 

More than 20,000 hours volunteered by employeesApproximately 750,000 test requisitions discounted through the company’s patient assistance programs or donated through Quest for Health Equity, the company’s initiative with the Quest Diagnostics Foundation to reduce health disparities in underserved communities.Approximately $15 million in corporate giving and Quest for Health Equity grants to impacted communities across the nation.More than 50% of U.S.-based Quest employees identify as people of color, representing more diversity than the U.S. workforce. Seventy-two percent of the company’s workforce is female, also exceeding the representation of women in the U.S. workforce.Over 6,000 Quest colleagues were promoted and advanced their careers at the company.Thirty percent of the company’s Board of Directors represent a diverse race or ethnicity. Dr. Luis Diaz, Head of the Division of Solid Tumor Oncology at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, recently joined the company’s Board of Directors. The Board has 10 members, including six men and four women.Additionally, the company received its first ISO14001 environmental management certification for its San Juan Capistrano laboratory.

Click here to view the report on the Quest Diagnostics corporate website.

About Quest Diagnostics

Quest Diagnostics empowers people to take action to improve health outcomes. Derived from the world’s largest database of clinical lab results, our diagnostic insights reveal new avenues to identify and treat disease, inspire healthy behaviors, and improve health care management. Quest annually serves one in three adult Americans and half the physicians and hospitals in the United States, and our nearly 50,000 employees understand that, in the right hands and with the right context, our diagnostic insights can inspire actions that transform lives. www.QuestDiagnostics.com.

SOURCE Quest Diagnostics

For further information: Shawn Bevec (Investors): 973-520-2900 or Dennis Moynihan (Media): 973-520-2800

Originally published on Built From Scratch

September is Workforce Development Month and The Home Depot is proud to highlight the Path to Pro program. Path to Pro provides skilled trades resources, trades training and career networking opportunities through PathtoPro.com, the Skills Program and the Network. 

Brandon Williams is a residential contractor who participated in the Skills Program and joined the Path to Pro Network to secure his first skilled trades job.

Brandon always knew he wanted to get into the trades, but it wasn’t until he discovered Path to Pro that he realized the career opportunity. As a child, he participated in Kids Workshops. “Growing up, I loved building things,” he reminisces. “Path to Pro gave me the option to learn and see if that’s what I wanted to do [as a career].”

With a mix of online trades training and real-world exposure, Path to Pro laid the foundation for Brandon’s career. “I knew some skills for hobby work, but for an actual job, I wasn’t fully trained, and it [Path to Pro] put me in a position where I could get trained,” Brandon explains. “Being able to work at your own pace and learn in your own time was probably one the best parts.”

He was quickly contacted by a potential employer through the Path to Pro Network, and that’s when his journey into the skilled trades truly began. “I’d been looking for something in this profession for months before I learned about Path to Pro, and most employers want someone with experience. Path to Pro really helped with that.”

On his very first day, Brandon found himself diving into a bathroom demolition project alongside his supervisor, who showed him the ropes along the way. Brandon found that this hands-on training made a world of difference. “Every day, and this is the part I love about my job, there’s something new.”

As the Skills Program expands to Spanish, Brandon is eager to share the opportunity, especially with his colleagues he works closely with and who speak Spanish.

Looking to the future, Brandon is set on making a mark in the skilled trades. “Eventually, I would love to run my own company. I’d love to do what she [supervisor] did for me – hire new people, teach them and set that path forward.” When asked if he could see himself hiring through the Path to Pro Network in the future, Brandon exclaimed, “One hundred percent! I wouldn’t really be here right now if it weren’t for Path to Pro.”

“Honestly, the biggest thing I can say is thank you,” said Brandon. I love being able to go to work every day doing what I love, and I wouldn’t be able to do that without Path to Pro.”

Since its inception, Path to Pro has had more than 8,000 people register for the Skills Program. The Path to Pro Network has introduced more than 12,000 jobseekers to millions of The Home Depot’s Pro customers nationwide and has provided exclusive access to more than 2,200 jobs.

Those interested in learning more about careers in the skilled trades can visit PathtoPro.com.

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