Porsche to build sportscars using low-carbon aluminum

Porsche will soon build sportscars using low-carbon aluminum from Norsk Hydro ASA (Hydro), a Norwegian aluminum and renewable energy company.

According to the German luxury car brand, it will use the Hydro Reduxa 4.0. The aforementioned primary aluminum alloy, Porsche pointed out, has one of the lowest carbon dioxide footprints on the market to date and is produced with renewable energy.

“Porsche is working towards a net carbon-neutral value chain of our vehicles in 2030. Aluminum and materials for battery production play a key role in our sustainability strategy. With Hydro’s aluminum we aim to substantially reduce carbon dioxide emissions deriving from this important material,” stated Porsche Executive Board Member for Procurement Barbara Frenkel.

By using Hydro’s low-carbon aluminum, Porsche will be able to reduce its footprint to around 3.5 kilograms of carbon dioxide per kilogram of aluminum used. This is approximately 60 percent lower than the average primary aluminum consumed in Europe currently.

Porsche expressed belief that aluminum is one of the key elements that transform an electric vehicle into a sports car. 30 percent of the Taycan’s overall weight, for example, is made up of aluminum parts.

As part of the ambitious decarbonization plans of both companies, Hydro aims to supply Porsche and Porsche’s component suppliers with carbon-neutral aluminum. Hydro, Porsche explained, will do this by increasing the use of renewable energy in aluminum production and recycling post-consumer scrap to increase circularity and reduce the footprint of the aluminum produced.

“To reduce global warming, we need to decarbonize energy systems, produce for circularity, and recycle resources already in use. Aluminum is a key enabler in the green transition, but supply chains must become emission-free. The industry needs to partner up to make this happen and we are pleased to be able to work with a pioneer like Porsche in our common task to create a nearly carbon-free car,” commented Norsk Hydro ASA President and Chief Executive Officer Hilde Merete Aasheim.

The two companies also came to an agreement to build a sustainable battery chain in Europe. Porsche and Hydro will cooperate in the development of a roadmap to recycle battery materials in the region.

Per the Stuttgart-based brand, the two firms will start by investigating how to build efficient closed-loop solutions for Porsche’s electric vehicle batteries.

“Access to sustainably sourced raw materials is a key challenge for the automotive industry. Hydro has extensive experience in the recycling of battery raw materials. At Porsche, we have a clear commitment to increase the usage of recycled materials in our vehicles. The principle of a circular economy is something we share with Hydro. We aim to secure our supply chain in the long run and thus expect valuable input from our recycling project with Hydro,” Frenkel said.

Photos from Porsche

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