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gerkletoss t1_j2wy7n7 wrote

Reply to comment by Sariel007 in The promise of batteries that come from trees by Sariel007

Kinda seems like greenwashing. Graphite for anodes is currently produced from petroleum coke and coal tar pitch, but really any carbon will do with some slight tweaking of the process. I'm not convinced that felling trees to avoid using the waste byproducts of fossil fuels for something useful is actually helping the environment, but I'm willing to be convinced otherwise.

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Sariel007 OP t1_j2x1ddv wrote

> Stora Enso's engineers decided that they could extract lignin from the waste pulp already being produced at some of their facilities and process that lignin to make a carbon material for battery anodes.

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gerkletoss t1_j2x2wtr wrote

"Waste" pulp is used for making things like cardboard, paper, potentially plywood, and more. So yes, it's still driving lumber demand.

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xondk t1_j2xah9y wrote

Lumber is however a renewable resource if done right.

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gerkletoss t1_j2y1usn wrote

That's true. I would expect this as fossil fuels tail off. I'm just not sure this is the time to switch.

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xondk t1_j2y8nbe wrote

That is a good question, though there really isn't going to be a 'switch' as in one moment, it needs to gather steam and built up a production line, which they might as well start as soon as possible.

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gerkletoss t1_j2yb09k wrote

Well yeah, obviously everyone can't switch at once, but that doesn't mean the environment is benefiting from this company doing it early.

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