Source : Procurement Leaders
Nokia has signed a supplier deal to ensure that the tantalum it sources comes from conflict-free sources.
The Finnish mobile communications company reported it has joined the Solutions for Hope initiative. This initiative aims to source validated conflict-free tantalum from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
According to electronics components supplier AVX, the Solutions for Hope initiative was developed in collaboration with other suppliers to create a ‘closed pipe’ secure supply chain, delivering from in-region traceable materials through independently assessed transport routes to a validated conflict-free smelter onto AVX and its customers.
“Nokia already has a comprehensive programme to strive for conflict-free sourcing and it is one of the cornerstones of our supply chain sustainability efforts. We are very happy to be joining the Solutions for Hope Initiative, which complements our efforts in this area. It enables us to support sourcing from Democratic Republic of Congo while ensuring that the raw materials that are used in our products do not contribute to the conflict in the region,” said Jarkko Sakki, vice president of sourcing at Nokia.
As of December 1, 2011, all AVX tantalum powder and wire suppliers are fully compliant with the independently audited Conflict-Free Smelter Program (CFS). The first shipment of conflict-free tantalum powder has been processed at the F&X Smelter in China and is en route to AVX, and the second shipment is in transit from the MMR warehouse in Kalemie, DRC to the F&X Smelter.