Aluminum made of material from recycling and renewable energy allows Mercedes-Benz to reduce CO2 emissions in the production of its new range of electric vehicles as part of a broader effort to decarbonize operations, executives said. The luxury car manufacturer uses low carbon aluminum, developed in association with Norwegian North Hydro Metals producer, to make his new Electric model Cla.
According to the leaders of the two companies, this collaboration is an example of the way in which manufacturers of high gas consumption products can pay a supplement of raw materials in exchange for a more ecological profile.
“The use of a low-carbon steel or aluminum obviously leads to additional costs,” said Gunnar Guthenke, vice president of Mercedes-Benz responsible for supply and the quality of suppliers.
“Sustainability and desirable products, such as those we manufacture, simply go to the same,” he added.
Increased demand for low carbon products
The companies have refused to provide the details of the costs, but said that, compared to the non -electric model, the new CLA was carried out with 40% less CO2 emissions. If the decarbonation of the value chains can be expensive, the associations offer a way of sharing the load, so that it is not compatible only by manufacturers or customers, said North Hydro General Director, Eivind Kallevik. The high price of metal does not deter buyers, even in a more difficult aluminum market in recent years, marked by weak economic growth, he added.
“We see a growing demand for low carbon products,” said Eivind Kallevik.
The metal made for Mercedes in the North Hidro Aardal factory on the Norwegian coast only generates 3 kg of CO2 emissions per kilogram of aluminum, while the global average is 16.7 kg, the companies said. It includes a quarter of aluminum waste in the mixture, which further reduces the volume of primary metal that comes from the foundry with high energy consumption.
In the past, Mercedes has been criticized for an advertising campaign that highlights sustainable development, while it was subject to a trial presented by a climate defense group in Germany on its impact on the environment. The procedures were abandoned by a German court in 2022.
Source: BFM TV
