Porsche and Hydro to Increase Use of Low-Carbon Aluminium in Sports Car Production

July 10, 2024

Porsche and Hydro have outlined their plans to expand the use of environmentally friendly aluminium in Porsche's sports car manufacturing. Following a Letter of Intent (LOI) announced last year, the companies have now detailed their delivery targets. This initiative will ensure that Porsche and its suppliers have access to carbon-reduced aluminium, which boasts an ecological footprint of less than 4 kg of CO₂ per kg of aluminium.

Hydro will produce this primary metal in Norway, utilizing renewable energy sources, primarily hydro power, which significantly reduces the carbon footprint by approximately 75% compared to the global average for primary aluminium production. The carbon footprint accounts for greenhouse gas emissions from the mining process to the final raw material.

Barbara Frenkel, Executive Board Member for Procurement at Porsche AG, and Eivind Kallevik, President and CEO of Norsk Hydro, have highlighted the collaboration's goal to not only lower total emissions but also to increase the use of secondary materials derived from post-consumer scrap. These materials come from products disposed of by households and commercial, industrial, and institutional facilities. By 2027/2028, Hydro aims to supply aluminium with a recycled content of at least 75%. The companies are also exploring how aluminium with an even higher recycled content can be used in various car components.

"The collaboration with Hydro is an important milestone for Porsche on our path to decarbonisation along the entire value chain," stated Barbara Frenkel. "The partnership is also making a contribution to responsible procurement, because Hydro's aluminium supply chain is transparent."

Eivind Kallevik added, "Our collaboration with pioneers like Porsche supports Hydro's ambition to change the game for sustainability in the aluminium industry. Together, in this long-term strategic partnership, Hydro and Porsche will push forward innovative solutions and business models, aiming to drive decarbonization and circularity in the automotive industry."

Aluminium, as a lightweight material, is crucial for electric vehicles. For example, it constitutes about 30% of the total weight of the Porsche Taycan, with the entire shell, excluding the front and rear aprons, made from aluminium.

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