BMW just signed a letter of intent with Rio Tinto to use low-carbon aluminum made with hydroelectric power and facilities in Quebec in its vehicles by 2024.
This agreement is part of the German manufacturer’s efforts to reduce the carbon footprint of the materials it uses, including steel and plastic, in a variety of ways.
BMW claims its deal with Rio Tinto will enable it to reduce CO2 emissions attributed to the aluminum in its body panels by around 70%. The agreement will be exclusively with the Spartanburg, South Carolina plant where the BMW X3, X4, X5, X6, X7 and XM will be assembled.
Photo: BMW
“We have clear targets for reducing CO2 emissions in the supply chain. By using innovative materials, we can already reduce the CO2 footprint of our vehicles before they are handed over to customers, said Joachim Post, BMW Board Member for Purchasing and Supplier Network. The supply contract for low-carbon aluminum is based on several pillars: In addition to hydropower and a high proportion of secondary materials, we also want to be trend-setting for the automotive industry by increasingly using aluminum without CO2 emissions in the melting process. »
The ELYSIS technology developed for aluminum production transforms the melting process required for production. This process uses carbon-free anodes to eliminate all process-related CO2 emissions and was successfully tested on an industrial scale for the first time in 2021. BMW wants to be one of the first customers to use this technology for series production.
Photo: BMW
In addition to the zero-carbon process, the agreement with Rio Tinto also includes aluminum alloys made with electricity from renewable energy sources. Aluminum production facilities in Quebec operate almost entirely on electricity from six local hydroelectric power plants.
In order to make a further contribution to resource conservation, recycled ingredients are also added to the end product in order to potentially achieve up to 50% secondary materials.
Photo: BMW
“This promising partnership between BMW and Rio Tinto is evidence that Canada is well positioned to realize the business benefits of the clean economy,” said Canada’s Minister for Innovation, Science and Industry, Francois-Philippe Champagne. I am proud to see low carbon Canadian aluminum used in BMW vehicles. Canada will continue to leverage its competitive advantages—abundance of vital minerals, skilled labor force, clean energy, proximity to markets—to grow its economy and support Canadian innovation. »