Creating "green" wheels for green cars, the BMW Group's sustainable strategy is making new strides at the supply chain end. Recently, the BMW Group announced that from 2024, the BMW and MINI brands will use cast aluminium wheels produced from 100% green energy. This initiative is particularly applicable to the high-energy-intensive electrolytic production process of wheel casting and its raw material aluminum, which is expected to reduce carbon emissions by up to 500,000 tons per year.
It is estimated that the BMW Group purchases around 10 million light alloy wheels per year, 95% of which are made of cast aluminum. The carbon emissions from the production of these wheels account for about 5% of the BMW Group's entire supply chain. The use of green energy will make its production process more sustainable and reduce carbon emissions by more than 50%.
Dr. Joachim Post, Director of the BMW Group and responsible for procurement and supplier networks, said: "The use of green energy is one of the most effective ways for the BMW Group to reduce carbon emissions at the supply chain end. The BMW Group has signed more than 400 contracts with suppliers of wheel hubs and aluminium, explicitly requiring them to use green energy in their production processes. ”
At the same time, the BMW Group advocates the circular economy, excavates the potential of material recycling through the "prioritizing the use of reusable materials" initiative, and ensures that renewable materials meet the BMW Group's highest requirements for quality, design, safety and mechanical performance. As part of the circular economy, aluminium is well recycled, and old aluminium wheels are easier to melt, reducing the need for high-energy electrolytic aluminum raw materials.
By 2023, the new generation of MINI Countryman will be the first to use light alloy wheels made from 70% recycled aluminum. The use of 100% green energy and 70% recycled materials in the production process can reduce carbon emissions by up to 80% compared to traditional manufacturing processes.
The BMW Group's goal is to create the most sustainable supply chain system in the industry. By 2030, the BMW Group plans to reduce carbon emissions from the supply chain by 20% compared to 2019. To this end, the BMW Group has systematically taken a series of initiatives to help achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. For example, the use of 100% green energy in the production of cast aluminium hubs and the systematic increase in the proportion of recycled aluminium under the guidance of the BMW Group's circular economy principles.
For example, the BMW Group has also been supporting the standardized mining of raw materials, sustainable production and supply, and stable development. In 2021, the BMW Group, in cooperation with Pirelli and BirdLife International, will promote the "zero deforestation" production method at its rubber production sites in Indonesia and gradually increase the procurement of tires made from sustainably grown natural rubber.
In addition, since 2021, the BMW Group has procured aluminium produced using solar power from the UAE and processed it in the light metal foundry at the BMW Group's Landshut plant for the manufacture of body and driveline components. The 43,000 tonnes of aluminium produced by Green Energy, procured from Dubai, meets the half-year production needs of the light metal foundry. This light metal foundry has won numerous awards for its innovative and sustainable production processes and has been certified by the International Non-Profit Aluminium Management Initiative (ASI) for the responsible and sustainable use of aluminium.
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