Low-Carbon Aluminum Casting Products for the Automotive Industry

Two companies have signed a letter of intent (LOI) to develop low-carbon aluminum casting products for the automotive industry. This will serve to accelerate decarbonization efforts and support car manufacturers in reaching their sustainability goals.

Hydro and Nemak have signed the LOI, with the intention that the decarbonization will be done by using more post-consumer scrap and changing to cleaner energy sources like natural gas and electrical boilers at Hydro’s Alunorte alumina refinery in Brazil. The long-term ambition is to develop foundry alloy aluminum solutions qualified for automotive applications with a CO₂ footprint below 3.0 kg CO₂ per kilo aluminum. The objective is to utilize the full potential of aluminum as a low-carbon solution in casting components, such as engine and structural components for vehicles. 

“This can make a difference for automotive companies looking to decarbonize their supply chains and meet ambitious sustainability goals,” says Hanne Simensen, Executive Vice President for Hydro Aluminium Metal.

Hydro currently supplies Nemak with Hydro REDUXA primary foundry alloy (PFA), with an estimated carbon footprint below 4.0 kg CO₂ per kilo aluminum. This is 25 percent of the global average and the LOI aims to further reduce the CO₂ footprint by 25 percent. Hydro and Nemak share the decarbonization target of making net-zero products by 2050 or earlier.

For more than 40 years, there has been continuous growth in the use of aluminum in the automotive industry. This is due to its light weight, alloy strength, corrosion resistance and processing possibilities.

“As the automotive industry accelerates toward sustainability. . . aluminum is one of the most effective ways to improve the energy efficiency of electric and hybrid vehicles. Through our collaboration with Hydro, we are enhancing our lightweighting solutions to drive sustainable mobility forward,” says Armando Tamez, Chief Executive Officer for Nemak.

Press release is available in its original form here.

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