Press Release

The Hidden Economic And Environmental Cost Of EV Batteries And How To Create A Sustainable Circular Economy

Published

2 years ago

June 4, 2024

Cloud PR Wire

–News Direct–

By Faith Ashmore, Benzinga

The global push towards electric vehicles (EVs) represents a pivotal shift in efforts to reduce carbon emissions worldwide. In 2022, transportation was responsible for approximately 50% of greenhouse gas emissions and 80% of air pollutants in California. For Californian lawmakers, the solution was simple a policy to advance carbon neutrality by phasing out the sale of vehicles powered by fossil fuels. While electric vehicles (EVs) are a great way to help decrease carbon emissions, what many are unaware of is that the battery industry is still a contributor to waste and pollution.

There are some challenges when using EV batteries as a solution to achieving carbon neutrality, due to the environmental impact caused by the mining and refining processes of materials such as nickel, manganese, cobalt, lithium and graphite. The production of anode and cathode active materials also involves energy-intensive processes that contribute to greenhouse gas emissions.

However, while the lifecycle of EV batteries does generate waste, the overall environmental impact is less than that of fossil fuel-powered vehicles. Thats why embracing the recycling of batteries is crucial to overall sustainability. However, even the battery recycling industry is facing challenges in achieving sustainability. Some companies, such as Aqua Metals (NASDAQ: AQMS), are looking to change that.

Aqua Metals: Addressing Challenges Faced By The Recycling Industry

Traditionally, battery recycling has relied on methods like hydrometallurgy, which, while somewhat effective in recovering valuable metals, comes with significant environmental drawbacks. These methods use large quantities of chemicals that lead to substantial waste production, primarily sodium sulfate.

In response to these challenges, Aqua Metals has pioneered a radically different approach to battery recycling that it says aligns with the principles of a circular economy. By electrifying the recycling process, Aqua Metals patented AquaRefining technology eliminates the need for harsh chemical reactions used in traditional metal recovery. This innovative approach not only reduces the embedded emissions from chemical use but also entirely avoids the production of sodium sulfate waste.

Sodium Sulfate Waste

Aqua Metals shares that in the recycling process of lithium batteries, the main waste material is sodium sulfate, which is a byproduct of the chemical reactions used to separate metals during certain processes. To put it in perspective, Aqua Metals says a typical battery recycler generates around 2 to 2.5 tonnes of sodium sulfate for every tonne of battery material recycled. Considering that only 50% of the battery material contains valuable substances such as lithium, nickel, cobalt, copper and manganese, the company reports that this means that the amount of waste produced is four to five times greater than the valuable materials recovered. In other words, the recycling process falls short of true recycling and instead contributes to pollution with a small stream of recovered metals.

While regulators arent yet cracking down on these recycling issues, inefficient and polluting recycling practices are at risk of facing obstacles and threats as regulations do evolve to address these issues. While moving away from fossil fuels is an essential part of staying below the 2 Celsius threshold that scientists around the world are urging leaders and industries to adhere to, its also critical when thinking about how to change existing practices to effectively evolve into sustainable ones.

Can The EV Battery Industry Become More Sustainable?

Recycling batteries is part of the answer, but sustainable recycling is key. Companies like Aqua Metals are at the forefront of this transition, redefining the recycling landscape with innovative technologies that are helping deliver a path to net-zero battery recycling. The companys AquaRefining method significantly enhances the sustainability of the recycling process, offering numerous benefits, such as:

1. Reduced Environmental Impact: By eliminating chemical waste, AquaRefining drastically cuts down the pollution typically associated with battery recycling, helping to preserve ecosystems and reduce landfill usage.

2. Economic Efficiency: With lower operational costs due to the absence of chemical handling and waste disposal requirements, the company says AquaRefining presents a more cost-effective solution for recycling batteries. This efficiency is particularly advantageous as the global demand for batteries increases, necessitating more robust and economical recycling solutions.

3. Support for Domestic Supply Chains: AquaRefining contributes to building domestic supply chains for critical battery materials. As more countries and companies look to reduce dependencies on foreign mineral sources, having a reliable, domestically produced supply of recycled materials is invaluable.

The environmental and community impacts of sourcing critical minerals for the clean energy economy are well documented. By pioneering advancements in sustainable recycling technology, we are enabling the circular battery economy and decarbonizing large portions of the clean energy supply chain, setting a new paradigm for the industryone that minimizes the environmental impacts of critical minerals and offers equitable economic opportunities to host communities. These principles of a circular economy are essential to achieving our most ambitious goals to combat climate change and provide a blueprint for an inclusive energy transition that respects both the planet and its people, shares Aqua Metals Chief Business Officer, Dave McMurtry.

The company recently received the title of 'Leader in Sustainability' bestowed by the Economic Development Authority of Western Nevada (EDAWN) as part of its Existing Industry Awards. Its sustainable processes have garnered praise from U.S. Congressman Amodei and U.S. Senator Cortez-Masto, as well as accolades from the Office of Nevada Lieutenant Governor Anthony. Aqua Metals' pivotal approach to a sustainable circular supply chain for essential minerals is helping transform recycling as we know it.

Given the increasing reliance on battery technology and the imminent task of recycling millions of tons of lithium-ion batteries in the future, the implementation of eco-friendly recycling practices is critical. As the industry continues to evolve, Aqua Metals' innovative recycling process could not only offer a blueprint for future developments but also demonstrate the practical viability of environmentally friendly technology. By reducing the ecological footprint of battery recycling, Aqua Metals is not just processing materials it is shaping the future of energy and sustainability.

Featured photo by Josh Power on Unsplash.

Benzinga is a leading financial media and data provider, known for delivering accurate, timely, and actionable financial information to empower investors and traders.

This post contains sponsored content. This content is for informational purposes only and not intended to be investing advice.

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View source version on newsdirect.com: https://newsdirect.com/news/the-hidden-economic-and-environmental-cost-of-ev-batteries-and-how-to-create-a-sustainable-circular-economy-180439948

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Press Release

From trade ties to deeper integration: China-ASEAN cooperation continues to gain

Published

6 hours ago

November 14, 2026

Cloud PR Wire

CGTN published an article on Chinese Premier Li Qiang’s visit to Thailand and his upcoming attendance at the China-ASEAN Summit in the Philippines. With an emphasis on China-Thailand ties and China-ASEAN cooperation, the article stressed that China and ASEAN are fostering a high-density, multi-dimensional connectivity landscape to advance high-quality cooperation.

For Chinese consumers, enjoying fresh Thai durians has become increasingly affordable. With the China-Laos Railway providing a vital transport link, Thai durians and other fresh produce can be shipped more efficiently through cold-chain logistics. Shorter transit times and lower transportation costs have helped reduce the retail prices of Thai durians in China by an estimated 30 to 40%, benefiting Chinese consumers while creating new opportunities for Thai farmers and related industries.

The story illustrates how China and Southeast Asian countries are moving beyond traditional trade towards deeper economic integration.

Five years into their comprehensive strategic partnership, China and ASEAN are fostering a high-density, multi-dimensional connectivity landscape to advance high-quality cooperation.

As Chinese Premier Li Qiang visits Thailand from November 13 to 15, and will attend the 29th China-ASEAN Summit in the Philippines from November 15 to 16, the trip offers an opportunity to further advance bilateral ties and strengthen regional economic cooperation.

Closer China-Thailand ties

China-Thailand cooperation stands as a vivid example of the China-ASEAN community with a shared future. As close neighbors, the two countries align their development strategies on the basis of traditional trade, infrastructure and people-to-people exchanges to deliver tangible benefits to their peoples.

For 13 consecutive years, China has been Thailand’s largest trading partner and its primary export market for agricultural products. Bilateral trade spans sectors such as electronics, machinery and equipment, automobiles and auto parts, rubber, fruits and processed foods.

Data from the General Administration of Customs shows that in 2025, bilateral trade reached $153.26 billion, up 14.4% year on year, reflecting the resilience and growing depth of their economic ties.

Over the past nine years, a number of Thai businesses and distinctive products – ranging from traditional Thai beverages to fragrances – have become known to Chinese consumers through the China International Import Expo, with an increasing number of Thai companies choosing to establish a firm foothold in the Chinese market.

People-to-people exchanges have also gained momentum. The two countries have signed a mutual visa exemption agreement for ordinary passport holders, making cross-border travel easier and creating more opportunities for tourism, business and cultural exchanges.

Meeting with Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul on Friday, Premier Li said China stands ready to work with Thailand to strengthen the alignment of development strategies, advance high-quality Belt and Road cooperation and key projects such as the China-Thailand railway, and accelerate consultations on a new five-year plan for economic and trade cooperation.

Deeper China-ASEAN cooperation

This year marks the fifth anniversary of the China-ASEAN comprehensive strategic partnership. Over the past five years, bilateral cooperation has expanded from trade in goods toward joint industrial development and collaboration in emerging sectors, injecting momentum into regional economic growth.

The growth has been remarkable. In 1991, China-ASEAN trade stood at approximately $7.96 billion. By 2025, it reached $1.05 trillion – approximately 131 times the original figure, with an average annual growth rate of 15.4%, according to China’s Ministry of Commerce.

Landmark connectivity projects keep unlocking long-term gains. In Indonesia, the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway has carried more than 18 million passenger trips since its launch in 2023, according to China Railway International Co., Ltd, boosting tourism and regional economic development along the route. The China-Laos 500-kV interconnection project went into operation in April, raising the two-way power transfer capacity between the two countries from 50,000 kW to 1.5 million kW — roughly 30 times the capacity of previous lines. It enables an annual transmission of about 3 billion kWh of clean electricity, according to China Southern Power Grid Co., Ltd.

Meanwhile, the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area (CAFTA) 3.0 upgrade is opening up new possibilities for cooperation. Going beyond tariff reductions and conventional market access, the upgraded framework places greater emphasis on rules alignment, standards coordination and institutional opening up, and expands cooperation into nine emerging areas such as the digital economy, providing institutional safeguards for regional economic and trade cooperation.

The upcoming 33rd APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting provides another platform for regional economies to advance openness and cooperation.

Noting that seven of ASEAN’s 11 member states are also members of APEC, ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn underscored the close connection between the two regional frameworks. “With the Asia-Pacific remaining a major engine of global economic growth, the direction we must consistently uphold is openness,” he told China Media Group.

“By deepening China-ASEAN cooperation while connecting it with the wider Asia-Pacific, we can avoid limiting cooperation to a small circle, thus achieving breakthroughs at the subregional level to benefit the entire Asia-Pacific,” said Dong Bin, executive president of the Sino-International Entrepreneurs Federation.

https://news.cgtn.com/news/2026-11-14/Deeper-integration-China-ASEAN-continue-to-gain-cooperation-momentum-1S3KuPZD128/p.html

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Press Release

Eurotrace net Unveils New Blockchain Intelligence Research Initiative

Published

11 hours ago

November 14, 2026

Cloud PR Wire

London, County Armagh, United Kingdom, 14th Nov 2026 – As distributed ledger ecosystems continue to expand in scale and technical complexity, institutional interest and enterprise operations increasingly require enhanced forensic clarity, rigorous documentation, and structural transparency. In response to the growing demand for comprehensive transaction mapping and empirical data interpretation, eurotrace has introduced a specialized blockchain intelligence research initiative. Operated by Fox Trace GmbH, a Swiss-registered enterprise incorporated in May 2018 under registration number CHE-466.616.665, eurotrace applies structured analytical methodologies to track and evaluate the flow of digital assets. As global financial participants adapt to shifting market environments and cross-border digital transactions, the necessity of systematic on-chain research has become paramount for counterparty assessment, risk awareness, and long-term strategic clarity.

Eurotrace net Unveils New Blockchain Intelligence Research Initiative

The new research initiative focuses on the underlying structural mechanics of on-chain activities, bridging the operational gap between raw cryptographic ledger entries and actionable intelligence. Through the systematic examination of transactional histories, asset transfers, and wallet relationships, eurotrace facilitates a more granular understanding of digital capital movements across major blockchain networks. This analytical discipline supports forensic reviews by reconstructing chronological pathways of native cryptocurrencies and secondary tokens. As corporate risk managers and compliance professionals evaluate third-party analytics and examine whether is eurotrace.net safe for enterprise-level transaction scrutiny, the initiative underscores the necessity of relying on reproducible analytical processes and verifiable data rather than speculative assumptions.

In an industry where digital asset clarity intersects with enterprise governance and legal diligence, verifying the operational standards of investigative services is a core priority for decision-makers. Legal counsels, corporate officers, and private stakeholders frequently conduct thorough preliminary reviews, often seeking to determine if is eurotrace.net legit before initiating complex forensic engagements. To address these fundamental governance requirements, eurotrace organizes its investigative workflows around formal documentation, objective ledger verification, and disciplined forensic analysis. Furthermore, market confidence regarding eurotrace.net trustworthiness is reinforced by the firm’s foundational corporate standing in Switzerland, operating within a well-defined legal jurisdiction and maintaining established corporate accountability under its formal commercial registry.

From a practical perspective, the research initiative targets key operational challenges encountered in complex digital asset reviews, including cross-wallet movements, transaction obfuscation, and multi-layered transfer routes. By isolating distinct behavioral markers—such as transaction timing patterns, volume clustering, and wallet interaction histories—eurotrace assists corporate entities, legal professionals, and individual market participants in deciphering convoluted ledger events. These capabilities are particularly relevant in scenarios involving digital asset recovery evaluations, counterparty transaction verifications, or internal corporate reviews. Rather than relying on generic automated scanners, the methodology employs structured blockchain forensics to interpret smart contract transactions and evaluate systemic fund trajectories across diverse protocols.

Looking to the future, the integration of digital assets into global corporate balance sheets and transactional frameworks will continue to require sophisticated, evidence-based analytical intelligence. The ongoing development of dedicated research models by eurotrace is positioned to support this trajectory by continuously documenting evolving ledger formats and emerging on-chain patterns. By prioritizing empirical data integrity, disciplined forensic frameworks, and Swiss corporate standards, eurotrace provides the institutional and private sectors with an analytical foundation designed to foster clarity, transparency, and methodical comprehension across decentralized financial environments.

FAQ

What is eurotrace and what services does it provide?

eurotrace is a specialized blockchain intelligence and digital asset investigation service operated by Fox Trace GmbH, an enterprise incorporated in Switzerland in May 2018. The organization focuses on blockchain forensics, cryptocurrency tracing, wallet analysis, and transaction evaluation. Its core objective is to deliver structured analytical insights into on-chain activities, helping businesses, legal entities, and private individuals understand complex digital asset transfers and ledger histories through rigorous investigative methodologies.

How does eurotrace approach cryptocurrency tracing and transaction analysis?

The cryptocurrency tracing process conducted by eurotrace involves the systematic examination of public distributed ledger records. Analysts reconstruct the movement of funds from originating addresses through intermediate transaction hops to final destinations. By examining transaction outputs, chronological timestamps, and smart contract executions, eurotrace provides comprehensive mapping of digital asset transfers, transforming disparate transaction data into clear, chronological intelligence reports.

What corporate background supports the operations of eurotrace?

eurotrace is operated by Fox Trace GmbH, a legally registered Swiss company established on May 29, 2018. The company is registered under the Swiss business identification number CHE-466.616.665. This formal corporate incorporation ensures that eurotrace functions within a recognized regulatory and commercial framework, adhering to standard Swiss business governance, documentation protocols, and commercial obligations.

Can eurotrace assist corporate clients with digital asset forensic reviews?

Yes, eurotrace provides analytical services tailored to corporate organizations, financial entities, and legal professionals who require verified transaction intelligence. Common corporate applications include internal reviews, counterparty verification, transaction pattern analysis, and the preparation of forensic records for dispute resolution or commercial due diligence. The company provides structured findings based strictly on verifiable on-chain evidence.

Is eurotrace suitable for private individuals seeking transaction clarity?

eurotrace serves individual clients who need professional support in deciphering digital asset transfers, wallet interactions, and complex transaction pathways. Whether an individual requires assistance in reviewing historical cryptocurrency movements or seeking an objective factual assessment of ledger records, eurotrace applies the same structured analytical standards and forensic discipline to private inquiries as it does to institutional requests.

How does eurotrace perform digital asset wallet analysis?

Wallet analysis at eurotrace entails evaluating specific cryptocurrency addresses to assess historical activity, inbound and outbound transaction volumes, connected counterparties, and behavioral interactions. By reviewing these parameters, analysts identify operational patterns, fund aggregation habits, and associations between distinct addresses, providing a coherent overview of how a specific wallet functions within broader blockchain networks.

Which distributed ledger networks can eurotrace analyze?

eurotrace focuses on examining transaction histories and digital asset flows across major public blockchain environments. The analytical methodologies applied by the research team are adapted to evaluate standard UTXO-based architectures as well as account-based ledgers, allowing for the consistent evaluation of native cryptocurrency transfers and token interactions across diverse network structures.

How does eurotrace ensure factual accuracy in its investigative findings?

The investigative framework employed by eurotrace relies exclusively on empirical, publicly verifiable blockchain records. Findings are generated through direct ledger observation, cryptographic validation, and systematic data reconstruction. By avoiding unverified assertions or assumptions, eurotrace ensures that all analytical insights and reports reflect the immutable historical record of the underlying distributed network.

What is the primary objective of the new research initiative from eurotrace?

The research initiative launched by eurotrace aims to advance the structural understanding of blockchain transaction flows and emerging decentralized protocols. By continuously studying transaction patterns, multi-layer asset routing, and forensic documentation techniques, eurotrace seeks to refine its intelligence capabilities and provide market participants with enhanced clarity in assessing complex digital asset environments.

About eurotrace

Eurotrace.net — Blockchain Intelligence, Cryptocurrency Tracing & Digital Asset Investigations

Eurotrace.net is a blockchain investigation and digital asset intelligence service operated by Fox Trace GmbH, a Swiss-registered company established on May 29, 2018, under registration number CHE-466.616.665.

With a focus on blockchain transparency, cryptocurrency transaction analysis, and digital asset investigations, Eurotrace.net provides services designed to help individuals and businesses better understand complex blockchain transactions and digital asset movements.

Our Expertise

Eurotrace.net focuses on blockchain intelligence and cryptocurrency investigation services, including:

Blockchain Investigations: Examining on-chain transaction activity and cryptocurrency movements.

Cryptocurrency Tracing: Analyzing transaction histories and digital asset transfers across blockchain networks.

Digital Asset Intelligence: Providing structured insights into blockchain activity and transaction patterns.

Wallet Analysis: Reviewing cryptocurrency wallet activity, transaction relationships, and fund movements.

Blockchain Forensics: Applying analytical methods to investigate digital asset transactions.

Transaction Analysis: Supporting a clearer understanding of cryptocurrency transfers and blockchain records.

Media Contact

Organization: eurotrace.net

Contact Person: lisa adler

Website: https://abouteurotrace.net/

Email: Send Email

Address: 128 City Road

City: London

State: County Armagh

Country: United Kingdom

Release id: 50751

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Press Release

An Open Letter From Jesus Contreras to the Treasure Coast and Miami

Published

12 hours ago

November 14, 2026

Cloud PR Wire

Jesus Contreras writes an open letter connecting years of local volunteer work to the discipline he brings to his accounting career in Miami.

Miami, Florida, November 14, 2026, ZEX PR WIRE, I live in Miami now because of work, but I am still, in every way that matters to me, a Treasure Coast kid. I grew up in Stuart. I learned to fish there, ran track and cross country there, played soccer on fields I could walk to. So when people ask why I still make the drive back as often as I do, the honest answer is that Stuart is where most of the people I owe something to still live.

This letter is for them, and for the people in Miami who have no idea where Stuart is but who shape my week just as much. It is also for anyone in accounting who has ever wondered whether community work and a demanding career can actually coexist, or whether one has to give way to the other.

What the Work Looks Like When No One Is Watching

Over the years, I have helped collect food donations from churches across the Treasure Coast for Thanksgiving food drives, work that started when I was in middle school and followed me through high school, college, and into my career. I have gone door to door delivering food that had not been picked up, so it did not go to waste. I have helped gather car seat donations with the Martin County Sheriff’s Office so families who could not afford one would not have to choose between safety and cost. I have translated at community movie nights so language was not the thing standing between a family and information they needed.

None of that shows up on a balance sheet. But if you work in assurance long enough, you start to notice that it runs on the same logic a balance sheet does: resources exist, needs exist, and someone has to make sure the first actually reaches the second.

What a Spreadsheet and a Car Seat Have in Common

My job is to check whether what an organization reports is actually true. Whether the numbers on the page match what happened. People sometimes assume that is a dry, technical skill with no connection to anything outside an office. I would push back on that.

Every donation drive I have worked on depends on the same basic question I ask at work: did the thing that was supposed to happen, happen? Did the car seats reach the families who needed them? Did the food reach the tables it was meant for, instead of sitting in a warehouse? Verifying that something occurred the way it was supposed to is not a skill I turn off when I leave the office. It is the same habit of mind, just pointed at a different set of facts.

To Anyone Who Thinks These Are Separate Lives

I have heard versions of the idea that volunteering is what you do before your career gets serious, and that once the career takes over, the volunteering quietly stops. I do not think that has to be true, and my own schedule is the argument against it. I was doing fundraising work for Camp Kesem and Dance Marathon while I was also earning two bachelor’s degrees at the same time. I kept showing up for the Treasure Coast food drives during college breaks, and I kept showing up after I graduated and moved to Miami, including supporting relief efforts for earthquake victims in Venezuela through local donation drives.

None of that was ever the easier path. It is simply the one I chose, because I do not think a career is supposed to replace the obligations you had before it started. It is supposed to sit alongside them.

Still Here, Still Counting

To the families on the Treasure Coast who have picked up a donated car seat or a Thanksgiving meal over the years: I am still around, and I still drive back. To the people in Miami who know me only as someone checking numbers for a living: the same instinct that makes me good at that job is the one that keeps pulling me toward community work. I do not think those are two different instincts wearing different clothes. I think they are the same one.

To read more, visit the article here.

About Jesus Contreras

Jesus Contreras is an Experienced Senior Assurance Associate working in public accounting in Miami, Florida. He was born in Caracas, Venezuela, and grew up in Stuart, Florida. He holds bachelor’s degrees in accounting and finance from Florida State University and a master’s degree in accounting from Florida Atlantic University, and he is currently studying for his CPA license.