Fifteen years after co-founding Tesla, JB Straubel launched Redwood Materials to reduce the environmental damage of battery production by using recycled components and shortening supply chains. All told, it’ll soon be able to reduce the carbon footprint of the average EV battery by more than 40%. In the past five years, the $3.7 billion company has become the largest U.S. recycler of lithium-ion batteries, and has deals with major companies in the electric-vehicle space, like Ford and Panasonic.
A weekly newsletter featuring conversations with the world’s top CEOs, managers, and founders. Join the Leadership Brief.
More Must-Reads from TIME
- How Donald Trump Won
- The Best Inventions of 2024
- Why Sleep Is the Key to Living Longer
- How to Break 8 Toxic Communication Habits
- Nicola Coughlan Bet on Herself—And Won
- What It’s Like to Have Long COVID As a Kid
- 22 Essential Works of Indigenous Cinema
- Meet TIME's Newest Class of Next Generation Leaders
