Sustainable aluminum for Audi e-tron GT rims!

Alcoa is supplying aluminum for the Audi pilot project from an innovative melting process developed in-house, in which oxygen is released instead of carbon dioxide. The ELYSIS joint venture is further developing this process. The ELYSIS melting technology, which is currently being brought to series maturity with research in the USA and Canada, does not cause any direct CO compared to the traditional process for the production of aluminum₂Emissions. The joint venture uses what is known as an inert anode to replace carbon anodes that are otherwise used in electrolysis, the common process used to produce primary aluminum. An inert anode is insoluble in the electrolyte under the conditions obtained during the electrolysis.

For the production of Audi wheels, Alcoa supplies the RONAL GROUP with a metal mixture from the ELYSIS process and Alcoas CO₂-reduced aluminum. The RONAL GROUP produces the 20-inch rims from aluminum alloy for the purpose of weight optimization using the flowforming process. They are available as an optional equipment variant for the model. The special, propeller-shaped design of the rim improves the aerodynamic properties while driving. The attached blades are only two to three millimeters thick, cover most of the wheels and thus ensure high aerodynamic efficiency.

Specifically designed for sportiness and efficiency

The Audi e-tron GT² As a Gran Turismo, it was specifically designed for sportiness and efficiency and achieved a drag coefficient of 0,24. This excellent air resistance value contributes significantly to the electrical range of up to 488 or 472 kilometers (according to the WLTP measurement method). The Audi e-tron GT² Audi’s first electric car is being built in the Böllinger Höfe at the Neckarsulm site in Germany. The location has been supplied with renewable energy since 2020. Since the start of series production of the e-tron GT² A combined heat and power plant operated with biogas supplies the heat required for production in the Böllinger Höfe. CO₂-Emissions that cannot currently be avoided by using renewable energy sources are offset by Audi with so-called carbon credits from certified climate protection projects.

The RONAL GROUP manufactures the rims at its location in Landau with 100 percent green electricity and balances the heat consumption with certified CO₂-Rights to reduce. Audi, Alcoa and RONAL GROUP are members of the Aluminum Stewardship Initiative (ASI). At the beginning of the year, AUDI AG was the first automobile manufacturer to receive the “Chain of Custody” certificate from ASI, which attests to the company's sustainable use of aluminum, taking into account ethical, ecological and social aspects.

"CO₂Program in the supply chain "

In 2018, Audi announced the “CO₂-Program in the supply chain ”started with the aim of successively decarbonising its supply chain. The program contributes to the CO₂-Reduce emissions per vehicle produced in upstream manufacturing processes. “Aluminum is the focus of our CO₂Program, as the material can only be produced with a high expenditure of energy. Even before the aluminum arrives at Audi, it has a large amount of CO₂-Emissions caused in upstream processes. We are therefore actively looking for innovative methods to reduce CO as early as possible in the development process₂-Reduce emissions. The ELYSIS process is very promising, as it takes effect right from raw material processing, ”says Marco Philippi, Head of Procurement Strategy. “With innovations like this, we increase our sustainability performance in the supply chain and ensure that our models have a lower CO₂-Rucksack arrive at the customer. "