BMW Promises Huge Hike in Recycled Materials

Paul Myles

TU-Editor

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2nd September 2021

BMW is promising to hugely increase its use of recycle material in its products with the launch of its Neue Klasse strategy.

The strategy is part of the automaker’s ambition to support the Paris Agreement’s 1.5-degree target for the limitation of global warming by 2050. Neue Klasse will see the automaker increase its us of secondary materials in line with the principles of the circular economy.

BMW says the production of its vehicles accounts for 70% of the group’s CO2 footprint. It pledges that, by 2030, the CO2 emissions per vehicle and kilometer driven will be at least halved from 2019 levels. It also points out that electrification alone cannot be depended upon to reduce climate warming. The automaker said that it understands that it is also crucial to reduce the use of primary material, such as those that are mined, and the related environmentally harmful exploitation of resources and their often CO2-intensive processing.

Recycling has already making inroads into battery production with the amount of secondary nickel used for the high-voltage battery in the BMW iX is already as high as 50% plus the battery housing containing up to 30% secondary aluminum.

Oliver Zipse, chairman of the board of management of BMW, said: “How companies are dealing with CO2 emissions has become a major factor when it comes to judging corporate action. The decisive factor in the fight against global warming is how strongly we can improve the carbon footprint of vehicles over their entire life span. This is why we are setting ourselves transparent and ambitious goals for the substantial reduction of CO2 emissions; these are validated by the Science Based Targets Initiative and will deliver an effective and measurable contribution. With the Neue Klasse we are significantly sharpening our commitment and also committing ourselves to a clear course for achieving the 1.5 degree target.”

— Paul Myles is a seasoned automotive journalist based in Europe. Follow him on Twitter @Paulmyles_