COLLABORATION AIMS TO DRIVE COPPER CIRCULARITY

S&P Global estimates that demand for copper will double by 2035, driven by electrification and the clean energy transition. Balancing this demand with the transition to more sustainable practices is one of the mining industry's biggest challenges, with the sector responsible for as much as 7% of global CO2 emissions and Scope 3 emissions accounting for 75% to 95% of its overall carbon emissions.

Schneider Electric is currently shifting its supply chain by directly acquiring raw materials from Glencore and distributing them through its network of sub-suppliers to its European factories, prioritising the use of responsibly sourced materials with high recyclable content.

The industrial technology company is assisting Glencore in advancing its global operations by deploying a mix of automation, digitalisation and electrification technologies, as well as providing consultancy support around sustainable procurement.

Schneider Electric has helped Glencore to develop high-efficiency, low-carbon procurement specifications for capital equipment. The company has also worked with Glencore to develop business cases for fuel switching and energy efficiency measures and is designing and deploying power and energy management systems with measurement and analytics features, helping Glencore to monitor and report on energy consumption more accurately.

To support Glencore in improving efficiency and lowering the carbon intensity of its raw material supply, Schneider Electric is providing industrial digital transformation services and process electrification consulting services.

And, Schneider Electric's Industrial Digital Transformation Consulting team is assisting Glencore in developing its IT/OT Corporate Standards.

"The relationship between Schneider Electric and Glencore is built on the joint aim of decarbonising copper production and building resilience in its supply," said Rob Moffitt, President of Mining, Minerals & Metals at Schneider Electric. "In the past, lowering emissions has been a challenge due to the complexity of supply chains; however, by leveraging digitisation, we are able to close the material loop and boost our circularity. This, together with the integration of power and process all along the asset life cycle, is a critical component in our race towards net zero. This collaboration with Glencore reaffirms our commitment to helping companies reduce their Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions following the launch of our supply chain decarbonisation program, Materialise, earlier this year."

Schneider Electric is an existing partner in the recycling of lithium-ion batteries, working with Glencore and its portfolio company Li-Cycle, a major North American and European battery recycler. Additionally, Schneider Electric is also working towards a copper and electronic waste take-back program. Under this initiative, once the material is utilised, the remnants will be returned to Glencore for recycling.

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This article appeared in Renew magazine. To read more or request your personal digital or print edition of Renew, click here.