Rio Tinto and BMW Reach Low-Carbon Aluminium Agreement to Reduce Carbon Emissions by up to 70%

Global mining giant Rio Tinto said in a statement on Tuesday (February 21) that it will supply low-carbon primary aluminium to German automaker BMW Group to reduce BMW's carbon footprint when purchasing this automotive metal.

This low-carbon primary aluminium is produced by Rio Tinto through hydropower generation. During the production process, recycled secondary materials are also used. This operation of Rio Tinto is based in Canada.

The two parties announced in a statement that they have signed a memorandum of understanding for the hydropower business in Canada, and Rio Tinto will provide a certain amount of primary aluminium for BMW's production plant in Spartanburg, South Carolina, for auto body components, starting in 2024.

The two parties also called the cooperation "a pathway to a green future".

Aim to reduce emissions

According to Rio Tinto, primary aluminium produced through hydropower can reduce CO2 emissions by up to 70% compared to the BMW Group's aluminium benchmark.

In addition, the cooperation also stipulates that the aluminium used in BMW's vehicles needs to adopt ELYSIS™ technology. ELYSIS™ is the world's first carbon-free aluminium smelting technology, which enables the production of aluminium metal to emit pure oxygen instead of carbon dioxide directly during the smelting process.

It is reported that technical experts from both parties will jointly study how to integrate low-carbon solutions, including this technology, into BMW's supply chain.