Aluminium made with renewable power and recycled content is helping Mercedes-Benz cut emissions in the production of its new electric vehicles, executives told Reuters, as the automaker expands efforts to decarbonise its operations.
The luxury carmaker uses the low-carbon aluminium, developed with Norwegian producer Norsk Hydro (NHY.OL), in its new electric CLA model. The companies said the material results in 40% less CO2 emissions in production compared with its non-electric predecessor.
“There are of course extra costs from using an especially low-carbon steel or aluminium,” said Gunnar Guthenke, vice president of Mercedes-Benz’ procurement and supplier quality. “Sustainability and desirable products, such as the ones we produce, simply go hand in hand.”
The metal, produced at Norsk Hydro’s Aardal facility in Norway, generates just 3 kg of CO2 per kilogram of aluminium, compared with a global average of 16.7 kg, the companies said. About one-quarter of the mix is aluminium scrap, further reducing reliance on primary metal from energy-intensive smelting.
Norsk Hydro CEO Eivind Kallevik said partnerships such as this help manage costs associated with decarbonising supply chains. “We are seeing a growing demand for low-carbon products,” he said, noting that even in a weaker aluminium market, buyers have not been deterred by a price premium.
Source: Reuters