German car maker BMW signed a deal with the UAE's Emirates Global Aluminium to source metal made using solar power, as it looks to slash carbon emissions.
The Munich-based car manufacturer signed a "triple-digit million euro contract" with EGA to supply it with 43,000 metric tonnes of aluminium, which will be produced using power from Dubai's Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, BMW said in a statement on Tuesday.
The move will help the company reduce its carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 2.5 million tonnes over the next 10 years. This is equivalent to about three per cent of the carbon dioxide targets BMW has set for its supplier network.
Producing aluminium is highly energy-intensive, the use of green power – such as solar electricity – offers considerable potential for reducing CO2 emissions. The German car maker aims to lower carbon dioxide emissions per vehicle by 20 per cent from 2019 levels and is adopting measures to achieve this goal.
"We will be able to meet over 50 per cent of our carbon dioxide targets for the supplier network, just by using green power," Andreas Wendt, member of the board of management of BMW responsible for Purchasing and Supplier Network, said.
"The use of solar electricity for producing aluminium is a major step in this direction."
The metal will be used in BMW's foundry in Landshut to manufacture body and drive-train parts for its vehicles.
With this deal, EGA also becomes the first company in the world to use solar energy to produce aluminium commercially that it will supply exclusively to the luxury car maker.
"Aluminium is light, strong and infinitely recyclable," Abdulnasser Bin Kalban, chief executive of EGA, said. "That is why it plays such an important role in the development of a more sustainable society."
Producing aluminium to be used in vehicle supply chains is an energy intensive process, BMW said, adding that its carbon emissions could increase by more than a third by 2030 if corrective actions are not taken.
Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
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Walls
Louis Tomlinson
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