Critical Metals and Mobile Devices

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Christina Cain
6 years ago
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1 Case Study Critical Metals and Mobile Devices OECD Global Forum on Environment Focusing on Sustainable Materials Management October 25-27, Mechelen, Belgium

2 Soaring demand Source: International Telecommunication Union 2 of 18

Device size and life span Smaller handsets Advanced materials Competition Consumer demand Corporate responsibility Government regulation Technology development

3 Device size and life span Smaller handsets Advanced materials Competition Consumer demand Corporate responsibility Government regulation Technology development Shorter life spans Consumer preference New and ever expanding functionalities Build-in obsolescence 5 kg 0.7 kg Pb-acid Li-ion (Image from 3 of 18

4 Product complexity Plastics Glass Metals Crystals Rubber Other Source: Source: 4 of 18

5 Mobile phone content 4.1 B global wireless subscriptions 1.2 B mobiles sold annually ~ 84,000 tonnes other aluminum magnesium nickel zinc tin lead silver gold glass plastic copper iron Selected critical metals antimony palladium beryllium platinum 84 t 12.1 t 7 t 0.3 t 5 of 18

6 Critical metals Criticality is subjective, geo-specific and changes through time. One case study metal was palladium: Used in small quantities in mobile phones; potential supply issues so may be critical in that regard Market response through price, linked to availability and demand; when price rises: Material substitution occurs Closed mines re-open or new mining begins 6 of 18

7 The market at work Increased demand from auto sector Supply interruptions Exploration, joint venture deals Pd content reduced in auto catalysts Source: Johnson Matthey 7 of 18

8 Where do old phones go? 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% 3% 4% 10% 21% 25% 27% 8% 19% 52% 45% 36% 15% 22% 12% US 2007 UK 2009 CAN 2008 don't know discarded gave away hoarded recycled Source: (Some numbers are rounded). 8 of 18

9 Reuse and recycling Informal treatment Triage? Refurbishment Integrated pyrometallurgical smelter 2.5%?? Parts Reuse End-of-life 9 of 18

10 Knowledge gaps Where are the mobile phones going? Where is the informal (electronics) recycling sector and how big is it? Life cycle inventory data are incomplete Wireless communication benefits versus improper disposal or recycling? When mobile phones are discarded, what are the emission risks? How small will future mobile phones be and what materials will they be made of? 10 of 18

11 Summary case study questions 1. Material flows and impacts 2. Life cycle insights 3. Policy initiatives to date 4. Active players 11 of 18

12 Summary question (1) What are the major material flows (in terms of environmental impact) and how are they expected to evolve in the future? 1. Material flows cannot by themselves be used to determine environmental impacts. 2. For impact assessment need additional SMM methodologies. 3. Life cycle inventory data for antimony and beryllium are currently unavailable (phasing out anyway) 4. The energy and GHG associated with the production of metals may be used as a first level surrogate for environmental impacts. 12 of 18

13 Summary question (2) How can new insights be gained and translated into new measures when taking a life cycle perspective? Need to understand the interactions and dependencies within the design, production, use, reuse and recovery life cycle stages to facilitate: Collaboration between recyclers and product designers Identification of material efficiency opportunities Development of new measures or policies 13 of 18

14 Summary question (3) What policy measures have been taken or can be taken to stimulate sustainable outcomes? Many efforts are underway including: Corporate social responsibility (CSR) Extended producer responsibility (EPR) Integrated product policy (IPP), Cleaner Production Eco-design, Eco-efficiency Performance standards development EPR for mobile phones Product capture rates will likely rise because of these programs but need to engage the consumer by employing a different business model such as product leasing 14 of 18

15 Summary question (4) To what extent have different actors in society assumed active, ethically based responsibilities for sustainable outcomes? There are many international and domestic initiatives underway: MPPI manufacturer-based partnership promotes ESM guidelines for end-of-life mobile phones EPR for mobile devices is rolling out across Canada as part of larger electronics EPR programs A global inventory of stewardship programs for mobile devices may address this question. 15 of 18

16 Mobile phone life cycle Policy mechanisms? CSR Raw Mining material Processing extraction Design Design & production Manufacture Design & production Eco-design Packaging & distribution EPR ESM Refurbish & reuse End of life device Use & maintenance Resource Recycling Recycle recovery P&PE EPR Program (triage) Discard ESM 16 of 18

17 SMM? Integrating actions CSR Raw material extraction Processing Design Manufacture Eco-design Packaging & distribution EPR ESM Refurbish & reuse End of life device Use & maintenance Recycling P&PE EPR Program (triage) Discard ESM 17 of 18

18 Thank you Rob Sinclair Minerals & Metals Sector of 18

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