Electric vehicle manufacturing still produces substantial carbon emissions. (Photo: iStock)
The carbon reduction effect of electric vehicles is mainly concentrated during driving, while the manufacturing of the vehicle body and batteries still generates significant carbon emissions. Furthermore, solvents, which are indispensable in production lines, emit at least three times more carbon if incinerated directly after use compared to when they are recycled.
A solvent recycling plant in Thailand is optimistic about the future, forecasting a 10% revenue growth this year, with plans to eventually trade carbon credits in the market.
Solvent recycling reduces carbon emissions by over threefold
Solvents are crucial in the manufacturing of electric vehicles due to their ability to dissolve dirt and evaporate quickly. They are commonly used to clean automotive and electronic components and to blend resins and pigments for vehicle coatings. For electric vehicle batteries, solvents are also a key component of lithium-ion battery operations.
