September 04, 2020, Stuttgart, The Hague and Paris – Daimler AG announced today that it is joining the Responsible Mica Initiative (RMI), becoming the first automotive brand to actively support RMI’s commitment and activities. This is coming along with Daimler AG making a substantial donation to Terre des Hommes Netherlands. Daimler’s combined initiatives are designed to amplify the resources that can be used to support the shared objective of all three organisations – to eradicate child labour and improve working conditions in India’s mica mining regions.
Daimler’s initiative is an important recognition of mica’s versatility and the critical role the mineral plays in the global automotive manufacturing sector. Indeed, mica’s reflective properties have made it an important ingredient in automotive paints and coatings thanks to the sparkling effect it creates when reflected by light. As a functional filler, mica is used in the plastic components that make up automotive bumpers, mirror housings, and other parts that manufacturers use to reduce vehicle weight to save fuel. Mica is also a natural insulator and is found in a variety of electrical components in vehicles.
“Daimler is fully aware of its responsibility: mica and other raw materials must be extracted and processed under ethically responsible conditions,” emphasizes Markus Schäfer, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Mercedes-Benz AG; responsible for Daimler Group Research and Mercedes-Benz Cars COO. “Our company’s commitment to projects together with social organizations is important to ensure the high social and environmental standards of Daimler AG along the entire value chain. We have started our activities on the mica supply chain already in 2018 and we will not tire of pursuing the solution.”
The expansion of RMI’s membership structure to the automotive industry is a promising sign, as this will have positive repercussions on the entire supply chain; this will particularly benefit the upstream mica communities and collectors. RMI is therefore especially excited to welcome Daimler as a new member !
Associated Press Release can be downloaded here.
