Following their in-depth look at the supply chain of cobalt, The Washington Post published an article about the impact of natural graphite production in China.
While many associate graphite with pencils, the substance has become essential for lithium-ion batteries as well, accounting for ten to fifteen percent of the total production cost of such a battery. The production of natural graphite has a significant impact on the communities that are located close to factory sites. The Washington Post heard similar stories from people in different villages: local waters and crops are being polluted, and community members worry about the health risks of eating food and breathing in air that contains graphite particles. Read the full article, which includes reactions from different electronics companies, here.
