Mercedes-Benz Pushes Green Mobility With Aluminum Recycling On Electric CLA

Mercedes-Benz CLA electric. (Photo: Mercedes-Benz)

JAKARTA - Mercedes-Benz is increasingly aggressive in leading decarbonization efforts in the automotive industry. This luxury German automaker announced its success in significantly cutting CO2 emissions in the production of its newest electric car line, particularly the electric CLA model, thanks to the use of low carbon aluminum.

This breakthrough was realized through a strategic partnership with Norsk Hydro, a metal producer from Norway. The aluminum used is produced with a combination of renewable energy and recycled materials, so that the carbon footprint drops drastically.

Reporting from Reuters on Monday, September 29, the executive ranks of the two companies called this collaboration a concrete example of how premium car manufacturers dare to invest more in order to create environmentally friendly products.

"Of course there is an additional cost of using very low-carbon steel or aluminum," said Vice President of Procurement and Quality Supplier Mercedes-Benz Gunnar Guthenke.

"But the sustainability and interesting products, like the ones we made, go hand in hand."

Emissions Drop Up To 40 Percent

Although the details of the costs were not disclosed, Mercedes-Benz and Norsk Hydro claimed the latest electric CLA was produced with 40 percent lower CO2 emissions than their non-electric precursor models.

This achievement is supported by the production of Norsk Hydro aluminum in Aardal, Norway, which produces only 3 kg of CO2 per kilogram of aluminum far below the global average of 16.7 kg. Its composition also includes 25 percent of recycled aluminum, so the need for energy-intensive primary metals is also reduced.

Norsk Hydro CEO, Eivind Kallevik, emphasized that although decarbonization of value chains requires costs, cooperation like this allows the distribution of investment burdens. He also saw a positive trend in the global market.

"We see growing demand for low-carbon products," Kallevik said.

This fact shows that consumers are now increasingly considering the sustainability aspect. For premium products such as Mercedes-Benz, environmentally friendly profiles are not only added value, but also the main attraction, even in the midst of economic challenges.