Becomes the first automobile manufacturer in Europe to use Hydro CIRCAL recycled aluminium with 75% post-consumer scrap.

Mercedes-Benz and Hydro are expanding their partnership to decarbonise aluminium across Europe, supporting efforts to cut emissions while supporting resilient value chains. As a first step, Mercedes-Benz will become the first automotive company in Europe to integrate Hydro CIRCAL into series production for the next generation of large electric vehicles. This recycled aluminium is made with at least 75 per cent post-consumer scrap, which represents a significant increase from around 25 per cent in the material currently supplied. The material is produced through advanced recycling processes that recover aluminium from end-of-life vehicles, buildings, and infrastructure and return it to new automotive applications.

Higher levels of circularity
Automakers have embraced aluminium for decades because of its lightweight properties, but electrification has introduced a new challenge. Electric vehicles need lightweight materials to maximise driving range, yet manufacturers are also under growing pressure to reduce emissions embedded within the materials themselves. Producing cleaner vehicles now means rethinking not only the powertrain but also every kilogram of metal that goes into it. This is where recycled aluminium changes the equation.

Unlike many structural materials, aluminium can be recycled repeatedly without losing its performance characteristics. The challenge has never been recyclability – it has been producing high-quality recycled aluminium in sufficient volumes for demanding automotive applications.

“The next generation of automotive supply chains will be defined by higher levels of circularity, a lower carbon footprint, and a deeper level of localisation to enhance resilience and quality. Together with Hydro, we are helping to shape that future,” said Yanni von Roy-Jiang, Head of Procurement and Supplier Management at Mercedes-Benz AG.

Decarbonising the primary route
Mercedes-Benz and Hydro continue to explore additional opportunities to reduce the carbon footprint of aluminium at industrial scale. At the core of the partnership is their collaboration on low-carbon primary aluminium. This includes sourcing additional volumes of Hydro REDUXA for Mercedes-Benz as well as a joint commitment to reducing the carbon footprint of this material over time.

As a complementary solution, with Hydro CIRCAL, the companies keep aluminium in circulation, helping meet growing demand, reducing the need for new raw materials and lowering the overall carbon footprint. This also demonstrates that high levels of post-consumer recycled content can be achieved without compromising stringent requirements for performance, quality and safety. At the same time, collecting, remaking and reusing aluminium close to production creates shorter, more efficient and more resilient regional supply chains.

“The automotive industry needs materials that can cut emissions without compromising quality, safety or performance. By combining Hydro CIRCAL recycled aluminium with Hydro REDUXA low-carbon primary aluminium, we can accelerate the transition to lower-carbon vehicles while building more resilient value chains. This partnership shows how Hydro, as a leading supplier of recycled and low-carbon aluminium, can deliver industrial-scale solutions that support both decarbonisation and competitiveness,” said Eivind Kallevik, President and CEO of Hydro.

Responsible sourcing across the value chain
Aluminium plays a central role in Mercedes-Benz’ materials strategy and Mercedes-Benz is working with its partners on the goal to decarbonise the aluminium supply chain. Hydro’s recycled and low-carbon products are produced using renewable energy and a high share of end-of-life scrap and backed by full supply chain transparency on a batch-by-batch basis.