Rio Tinto and BMW have entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the supply of low-carbon aluminum from Canada to BMW’s Spartanburg plant in South Carolina for use in vehicle body components from 2024.
The partnership seeks to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by as much as 70% in BMW’s benchmark for aluminum through Rio Tinto’s low-carbon primary aluminum, produced using hydro-powered operations in Canada, and recycled content.
Rio Tinto’s Elysis technology allows for the production of aluminum metal without direct CO2 emissions during the smelting process.
The companies also plan to deploy Rio Tinto’s START technology to provide supply chain traceability to customers and consumers with information on provenance, as well as ESG standards.
BMW aims to lower CO2 emissions in its supply chain and seeks to lead the automotive industry in its use of aluminum with no direct CO2 emissions from the smelting process.
The partnership is a response to growing global demand for responsibly sourced materials and a shared commitment to traceability and sustainability.
Source: MINING WEEKLY
Image Source: Elysis