Audi’s aluminum closed loop recycling initiative, introduced in 2017, has helped the carmaker reduce CO2 emissions by 350,000mt since its inception.
The technology uses secondary aluminum to save 95pc of energy compared to primary alumium. Under this initiative, aluminum sheet offcuts, which are manufactured in press shops, are rerouted back to the supplier, which recycles the sheets for use in Audi’s cars. Seven of Audi’s production lines have already incorporated aluminum recycling.
Last year, the closed loop saved approximately 150,000mt of CO2, two-thirds more than in 2018. Audi’s Ingolstadt plant recently began using the aluminum closed loop, while others are slated to begin using it by 2021. By 2025, Audi intends to cut 1.2mt of CO2 per vehicle through this system.
According to Marco Philippi, Audi’s head of procurement strategy, the company’s use of resources has become frugal and efficient and it has yielded 95pc lower energy input from secondary aluminum than primary.