Mercedes-Benz and Hydro deepen partnership for low-CO₂ aluminium

Mercedes-Benz and Hydro are expanding their collaboration to accelerate the decarbonisation of aluminium in European automotive production.

Mercedes-Benz becomes the first European automaker to use Hydro CIRCAL recycled aluminium in the next-generation large electric vehicles entering series production.

The material contains at least 75% post-consumer recycled content, up from around 25% in currently supplied aluminium, thanks to advanced recycling processes that recover aluminium from end-of-life vehicles, buildings and infrastructure.

The partnership combines Hydro CIRCAL with Hydro REDUXA low-CO₂ primary aluminium to reduce the overall carbon footprint of aluminium in automotive applications.

Mercedes-Benz and Hydro aim to further lower the CO₂ footprint of Hydro REDUXA while maintaining performance, quality and safety standards.

By sourcing, recycling and reusing aluminium close to production sites, the companies are building shorter, more efficient and resilient regional supply chains.

The expanded partnership follows a 2022 Letter of Intent and a 2024 expansion into the full aluminium value chain, including the Corridor Programme in Brazil focused on social responsibility and human-rights due diligence.

Mercedes-Benz already uses Hydro REDUXA aluminium produced via electrolysis powered by renewable energy for selected aluminium components in series production, with a CO₂ footprint more than 70% below the global average.

The initiative underscores the industry’s challenge of aligning decarbonisation with competitiveness, leveraging regional value chains and resource efficiency to drive low-CO₂ mobility forward.