Ethical Sourcing in the Age of Electric Vehicles: A New Paradigm

Happy New Year, folks! It's 2024, and in today's episode of the Digital Supply Chain podcast, we delve deep into the fascinating world of supply chain transparency with Ellen Carey, Chief External Affairs Officer for Circulor. It's an enlightening discussion that unveils how Circulor is transforming the way we view and manage our industrial supply chains.Ellen offers us a comprehensive insight into Circulor's innovative approach to ensuring the traceability and sustainability of key minerals and materials. Their focus is not just on mapping the supply chain but also providing granular proof of the provenance of materials right from the source to the end product. This approach is critical, particularly in the context of materials like cobalt and lithium, which are pivotal in the transition to a circular energy economy.We also tackle the pressing issue of responsible sourcing in the era of EVs, discussing the challenges around sourcing minerals such as cobalt, often associated with forced labour, especially in regions like the DRC. Ellen highlights how Circulor's technology is vital in differentiating responsibly sourced materials, thus aligning with consumer and investor expectations for ethical and sustainable products.Another highlight of our conversation is the emerging regulatory landscape. Ellen explains the EU's battery regulation, requiring a digital battery passport for every battery on the market in Europe, and how similar mandates are evolving globally. It's fascinating to see how technology and regulations are intertwining to shape a more responsible supply chain future.As we approach 2024, Ellen's insights on how supply chain transparency is moving beyond just compliance to becoming a strategic imperative are particularly thought-provoking. It's a testament to the growing importance of environmental and ethical considerations in our global economy.Don't miss out on this episode. It's not just informative, but a real eye-opener to the complexities and advancements in modern supply chains. Check out the video version of this episode at https://youtu.be/BH5HGxMej0g. Tune in, and let's explore the future of sustainable supply chains together.And speaking of sustainable supply chains, I'm going to have some big news in the coming weeks, stay tuned...Support the showPodcast supportersI'd like to sincerely thank this podcast's generous supporters: Lorcan Sheehan Krishna Kumar Christophe Kottelat Olivier Brusle Alicia Farag Joël VANDI Luis Olavarria And remember you too can Support the Podcast - it is really easy and hugely important as it will enable me to continue to create more excellent Digital Supply Chain episodes like this one.Podcast Sponsorship Opportunities:If you/your organisation is interested in sponsoring this podcast - I have several options available. Let's talk!FinallyIf you have any comments/suggestions or questions for the podcast - feel free to just send me a direct message on Twitter/LinkedIn. If you liked this show, please don't forget to rate and/or review it. It makes a big difference to help new people discover it. Thanks for listening.

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The Digital Supply Chain podcast is a show hosted by Tom Raftery, discussing thought leadership, trends, best practices, and the latest innovations in delivering a resilient, sustainable supply chain. The show publishes a new episode every Monday and Friday, and features interviews with luminaries in the world of supply chain and Industry 4.0. All aspects of supply chains, and how to optimise them are discussed - everything from the design, planning, manufacturing, production, delivery, all the way through to product operation and service.