Cobalt has been used to colour pottery and glass for at least 2600 years evidenced by cobalt-containing glazes having been found in Ancient Egyptian tombs
Cobalt is considered a Critical Raw Material, it is recognised as an important technology enabling metal where energy storage, high temperature resilience, hardness, process efficiency and environmental benefits are required
Cobalt contributes greatly to the general quality of life for humans and for a sustainable future, its importance to rechargeable batteries, electronics, catalysts, alloys and healthcare has resulted in the metal being referred to as a technology enabling element
The CI is looking to develop a sustainability profile for cobalt which will outline the environmental effects and the socio-economic benefits, and highlight the “sustainability attributes” of cobalt substances used in various applications
On 9 January 2019, the Cobalt Institute (CI) launched the Cobalt Industry Responsible Assessment Framework (CIRAF)
Cobalt is subject to a wide number of regulations, policies and classifications which are applied at regional, national and global level
The Cobalt Institute has launched responsiblecobalt.org
