Global miner Rio Tinto and Marubeni Corporation, a Japanese trader and business conglomerate, have signed a strategic collaboration agreement to secure a sustainable and reliable supply of Rio Tinto’s Responsible Aluminum products to downstream manufacturers in Japan.
The first sale under this agreement is a batch of RenewAl ™ high purity, certified low-carbon aluminum from the New Zealand Aluminum Smelters to a major Japanese motorcycle manufacturer committed to reducing carbon emissions.
The collaboration focuses on providing downstream industries with an integrated way to achieve ESG-related goals and requirements, reduce carbon footprints, disclose lifecycle assessments, and source responsibly.
The partnership combines Rio Tinto’s Responsible Aluminum products with Marubeni’s extensive trading network, commercial capability, and carbon credit mechanism.
The collaboration is the first of its kind in Japan and the Asia-Pacific region, and apart from downstream decarbonization, it also provides long-term security of supply at a time of growing supply chain risks.
“Consumers want to know more about the products they buy and be assured that they have been produced responsibly and sustainably,” said Tolga Egrilmezer, Rio Tinto Head of Sales & Marketing. “By working with partners like Marubeni, we can help our downstream customers in the aluminum value chain meet this growing consumer demand, while at the same time advancing our commitment to decarbonize our product value chains.”
Source: Press Release
Image Source: Rio Tinto