Tag: recycling

Europe’s EV industry faces china threat, recycling gaps and tariffs, warns SSAB

PARTNER CONTENTThis content was produced by Automotive Manufacturing Solutions in partnership with SSAB.SSAB’s Erik Nymann warns Europe’s BEV industry must move faster to counter China’s battery dominance, US tariffs, and a widening gap in recycling and infrastructure warned that Europe’s electric vehicle industry faces mounting pressure from geopolitical shifts, battery imports, and weak recycling systems. Michael Nash reports.

How circular economy targets are driving new strategies in automotive design, sourcing and supply chain integration across EVs, batteries and interiors

Leading OEMs and suppliers are no longer treating circularity as an end-of-life concern. Design, sourcing and localisation strategies are being rethought to prioritise reuse, remanufacture and material traceability from day one.

Inside JLR’s circular manufacturing push: How reused tools and digital systems are driving EV production and decarbonisation across its global network

Tomasz Jozwiak explains how Jaguar Land Rover is driving circularity across its operations by reusing and refurbishing manufacturing assets, cutting emissions, saving millions, and supporting electrification.

Renault expands circular economy with new polish repair facility for sustainable used car refurbishment

The French car manufacturer Renault has just opened a special workshop in the largest eastern EU market - even though Poland is not necessarily one of its strongest locations. The issue of sustainability plays an important role.

Honda North America’s big investment in flexible manufacturing for EVs, hybrid and ICE vehicles

Honda invests $1 billion in retooling its Ohio manufacturing plants to build ICE, hybrid, and EV models on same production line. New technologies being introduced include megacasting, CDC and friction stir welding.

How algae can turn CO2 emissions into sustainable carbon fibres

CO2 to carbon? Yes, it’s possible! Researchers at the Technical University of Munich are binding carbon dioxide using algae and using it to produce high-quality carbon fibers. The process works, there’s just one hurdle.

Exclusive: How Henkel is co-developing the EV batteries of the future at its Battery Engineering Center

PARTNER CONTENTThis content was produced by Automotive Manufacturing Solutions in partnership with HenkelHenkel, a global leader in adhesives, sealants and functional coatings, inaugurated its revolutionary Battery Engineering Center (BEC) within its Inspiration Center Düsseldorf (ICD) in November last year. Henkel invited AMS as its first visitor, to take a tour of the Battery Application Center (BAC) and Battery Test Center (BTC) within the BEC and the innovations happening inside.

Watch: Henkel invites AMS for an exclusive look inside its Battery Engineering Center

PARTNER CONTENTThis content was produced by Automotive Manufacturing Solutions in partnership with HenkelHenkel, a global leader in adhesives, sealants and functional coatings, inaugurated its revolutionary Battery Engineering Center (BEC) within its Inspiration Center Düsseldorf (ICD) in November last year. Henkel invited AMS as its first visitor, to take a tour of the Battery Application Center (BAC) and Battery Test Center (BTC) within the BEC and the innovations happening inside.

Mercedes-Benz opens battery recycling facility to create a closed loop system

The new recycling facility, located in Kuppenheim, Germany, will utilise an integrated mechanical-hydrometallurgical process.

Dürr builds an energy-efficient paintshop for Stellantis’ Kenitra plant

Stellantis’ new paintshop to double capacity at Kenitra plant and reuse paint robots from other facilities.

Scania progresses production by integrating remanufactured components on its main assembly line, reducing material use by 50% and cutting carbon emissions by 45%

Scania has become the first truck OEM to integrate remanufactured components directly into the main assembly line. The innovative approach aims for a circular economy in vehicle production.

Lowering costs through sustainable manufacturing

Sophisticated and complex technologies could be used to reduce costs and make manufacturing more eco-friendly, but simple solutions might be the most effective

VW in cooperation to develop sustainable materials for vehicle interiors

Volkswagen will work with Revoltech to develop sustainable bio-based leather alternative made from industrial hemp.

Reinventing the wheel: the race towards sustainable tyre production

Nokian Tyres is building the world’s first zero-carbon tyre factory, with Michelin, Continental, Bridgestone, and Pirelli leading the charge with recycled materials, bio-based components, and innovative sustainable production methods.

European battery production needs greater speed and agility

Exhibitors at this year’s Battery Show in Stuttgart shared insights into EV and battery production challenges and how the industry needs to adapt with greater speed.

Gestamp signs agreement with Acciaieria Arvedi for the supply of low-emissions steel

Gestamp will return high-quality steel scrap from stamping parts production to Acciaieria Arvedi, who will reprocess and reintroduce it into the production cycle.

BeyonCa sets stage for Hong Kong’s automotive jump with new EV assembly plant

Renault (and Dongfeng)-backed BeyonCa plans to transform Hong Kong’s automotive sector with its first EV brand and assembly plant in Tseung Kwan O, potentially shifting towards high-tech production post-2019 protests and COVID-19 challenges.

The Sustainable Steel Automotive Manufacturing Survey 2024 Webinar looks at issues of definition, recycling and cost

Thomas Hörnfeldt, VP of Sustainable Business at SSAB spoke to Nick Holt and Daniel Harrison of AMS on the survey findings. Do terminological issues serve as barriers to sustainable steel?

Q&A with Patrice Haettel: CEO of powertrain technology company HORSE

Renault’s powertrain tech company, HORSE, has begun mass-producing the Power Electronics Box (PEB); crucial for HEVs and PHEVs. The redesigned PEB boosts performance by managing Emotors more efficiently. Here’s CEO, Patrice Haettel on electrification and more.

APK 2024 – Increasing circularity in automotive production

Circular economy programmes are becoming a key part of automotive manufacturing sustainability strategies, but these should be more ambitious says Dr Michael Riesener, speaking at this year’s Automobil Produktion Kongress.

Bosch Ventures invests in battery recycling startups

Bosch Group’s venture capital unit, Bosch Ventures, has made significant investments in Cylib and Li Industries, two battery recycling startups.

Watch on demand: Sustainable Steel Automotive Manufacturing Survey 2024 Webinar

Discover the latest insights from a cutting-edge discussion featuring AMS and SSAB on the key challenges faced by automotive OEMs, tier suppliers and other stakeholders in transitioning to sustainable steel.

Cost effectiveness key barrier to sustainable steel adoption in automotive production

AMS and SSAB’s industry survey reveals a growing prioritisation of sustainability in automotive manufacturing, highlighting challenges in sustainable steel adoption such as cost-effectiveness and gaps in awareness, while underlining the need for innovative solutions and collaboration to drive meaningful change…

OEMs jointly develop green battery prototypes with Henkel

PARTNER CONTENTThis content was produced by Automotive Manufacturing Solutions in partnership with Henkel More OEMs are looking to build their own EV batteries in-house to streamline production and logistics and have more visibility on costs and efficiencies. In a fast-paced competitive market where technologies evolve and overtake one another quickly, carmakers are keen to keep their progress under wraps – particularly when it comes to battery prototypes. But they are making an exception for the purpose of recycling and repair, according to Henkel’s battery sustainability expert, Philipp tho Pesch.

How BMW is ramping up its circular production and sustainability principles as it drives towards electrification

BMW’s Dr. Irene Feige, Head of Climate Strategy and Circular Economy says that circular economy is becoming central to BMW’s automotive production landscape, part of its wider push for sustainable production and supply chains.

Powertrain – Reducing waste in machining fluids

Sustainability projects at plant and team levels are vital to reducing the operational carbon footprint in manufacturing operations. These range from simple energy management protocols to more involved process improvement related projects. JLR offers a very interesting case study on the latter at its Electric Propulsion Manufacturing Centre.

The state and stipulation of automotive production: Retrospect 2023 to prospect 2024

Using 2023 as a launchpad into the coming trends of 2024, we take a dive into the coming automotive production trends set to shape the industry

ONE’s innovative strategies in chemistry, manufacturing and sustainability are transforming EV safety

AMS explores Our Next Energy’s (ONE) innovative approach to EV battery safety. The company’s CEO and founder, Mujeeb Ijaz, discusses manufacturing solutions to eliminate thermal runaway, enhance range, and optimise sustainability

New materials drive electric motor development

Original equipment manufacturers need electric motors that are more energy-efficient and power-dense than those currently available. How composites and resin materials could support developments on this area was discussed by industry experts at a recent conference organised by Sumitomo Bakelite Europe (Ghent) NV (Sumitomo Bakelite Ghent).

A natural fit: how and why the automotive production industry is turning to bio-materials for sustainable solutions in pursuit of zero emissions and enhanced performance

Bio-based materials like flax, hemp, kenaf, and jute are reshaping automotive production for sustainability. These natural fibres offer durable, lightweight alternatives for several vehicle components, from dashboards to electric vehicle batteries.

Porsche partners with H2GS for green steel in sustainable production ramp up set for 2026 as auto industry pivots towards carbon free materials

With steel manufacturing being a major contributor to carbon footprints across automotive, Porsche moves to scale up green steel production with H2 Green Steel deal

Henkel powers EV evolution with cutting-edge battery sealing technology

PARTNER CONTENTThis content was paid for by Henkel and produced in partnership with Automotive Manufacturing SolutionsInnovative solutions from Henkel ensure safety, reliability, and durability for EV battery manufacturers worldwide, setting new standards in performance.

West Midlands Gigafactory announces “advanced discussions” with leading Asian battery manufacturers

The Coventry site’s exclusive UK Gigafactory status makes it the key player in the country’s electrification drive. International investment to catalyse the process.

Sweden’s Northvolt selects Quebec, Canada, as the location for first Gigafactory outside of Europe

The multibillion dollar gigafactory is a significant move for the Swedish battery developer and manufacturer, and will advance sustainable lithium-ion battery production to accelerate sustainable EV output for the North American region with government support.

Panasonic sparks scalable and sustainable US battery production

Abby Chitwood, who leads new product introduction and new factories at Panasonic Energy of North America, discusses maximising output and reducing emissions in battery cell production ahead of the first AMS Evolution North America conference, where she is a speaker.

Gestamp joins Catena-X to push digital and decarbonisation strategies

Gestamp has joined the Catena-X data-sharing platform, which is designed to increase visibility in the supply chain and improve the flow of parts and materials.

Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi alliance embarks on a new era of collaboration for enhanced agility with strong regionalisation focus

The alliance shifts to regional focus for enhanced agility challenging assumptions about global autmomotive markets

R8 and e-Tron GT: Audi’s non-identical twins

The evolution of EV battery enclosures: balancing optimisation, safety and cost-effectiveness

They protect the most valuable part of an EV—but what are battery enclosures currently made of? What could they be made of? And what are their key design considerations?

BMW Batteries blossoming in South Carolina

The carmaker’s battery assembly plant in Woodruff will use advanced automation and help set global standards, whilst supporting a local-for-local drivetrain production strategy, says Rich Everly, who is leading battery pack production.

ArcelorMittal and Gestamp partner to enhance scrap steel utilisation in automotive manufacturing

Steel solutions for e-mobility

PARTNER CONTENTThis content was paid for by ArcelorMittal and produced in partnership with Automotive Manufacturing SolutionsArcelorMittal is engaged in the development of the future mobility through the Steel E-Motive project lead by WorldAutoSteel and creating new solutions to simplify the car manufacturing operations

A culture of quick decisions for Mercedes-Benz production

Jörg Burzer, the carmaker’s manufacturing chief, explains how it has reorganised its production network for electric vehicles and powertrains, while speeding up the rollout of digital tools. Now, another phase of change is just ahead.

EMO Hannover to address challenges of digitising automotive manufacturing

EMO Hannover, one of the biggest trade fairs for production technology, will take place in September. Ahead of the event, AMS looks at what future insights the OEMs and tier-1 suppliers in attendance can expect to find.

A friend of flexible lines – upgrading JLR production for EVs and more

Barbara Bergmeier is driving digitalisation, sustainability and resilience across JLR’s operations. Now she will help ramp up EV and battery output whilst keeping manufacturing flexible

Focus on flexibility – optimising battery pack production

The AMS Evolution Livestream expert panel representing Ford, AMTE Power and Henkel, discussed the fast-changing production requirements as cell manufacturers and OEMs ramp up Gigafactories and battery pack assembly.

Powering up: AMTE ramps up cell production volume

AMTE CEO Alan Hollis discusses ramping up cell production, establishing a new Gigafactory and developing a flexible, sustainable manufacturing approach

Shaping the future – Developing electric vehicle architectures

In our AMS Evolution Livestream experts from ArcelorMittal and Gestamp tackle EV production challenges and explain how digital tools, new technologies, processes and materials innovations could help solve some key issues

Re-evaluating recycled materials

Carmakers are increasingly looking into ways of reducing the environmental impact of their vehicle manufacture – and one way to do this is by using more recycled materials in their cars. But how can they go about this?

AMS Spring 2023 – Next level digital production engineering

In this latest AMS digital edition we have features on Audi’s digital production engineering strategy, Dacia’s vehicle plant Mioveni, production cloud systems, toolmaking, China, sustainability and more.

Adopting a data-driven sustainability and the software-first approach

Alexander Lenk at Amazon Web Services discusses leveraging data across all areas of the automotive industry to support sustainability and the possibility of revolutionising production

Adopting circular economy principles in car production

As the automotive industry looks at how to be more eco-friendly, car companies are taking various approaches to lower emissions across their manufacturing operations. Experts at Stellantis and Mazda speak about the implementation of circular economy principles in vehicle production

Mercedes-Benz’s groundbreaking ceremony for new Kuppenheim battery recycling factory

Mercedes-Benz says it is investing a ‘double-digit million euro amount’ in the construction of the balance sheet CO2-neutral plant

StoreDot and Circulor to deliver supply chain transparency for EV battery cell materials

The new partnership to track the provenance and CO2 emissions of the raw materials used in battery cells and production processes to prove responsible, sustainable, and ethical sourcing.

Multi part integrated BIW solutions and advanced steel grades support EV production

PARTNER CONTENTThis content was paid for by ArcelorMittal and produced in partnership with Automotive Manufacturing SolutionsArcelorMittal Global R&D Head of Automotive Steel Solutions, Jérôme Favero discusses how the company’s Multi Part Integration solution is an innovation that has been driven by the challenging context of Battery Electric Vehicle production

Mercedes-Benz and Hydro partner to develop a sustainable aluminium supply chain

Mercedes-Benz to collaborate with Norwegian aluminium producer Hydro to reduce the CO2 footprint of aluminium in the automotive supply chain

Renault advances circular economy reuse, remake, recycle business

The pioneering initiative will reduce the resource, energy and emissions intensity of a car’s lifecycle since some components can have a second life as used, reconditioned parts.

BMW doubles investment in Debrecen Hungary site with addition of battery assembly

The plant will make battery packs using BMW’s recently announced new generation round battery cells which hold more energy and cost less.

CATL: A rising power in European EV battery production

Matthias Zentgraf, president of Europe for China’s CATL, is tasked with localising battery cell production in Europe and meeting new technology requirements. He speaks to AMS ahead of joining a panel on battery cell production at the AMS Automotive Evolution Europe Summit in Munich

Renault to merge combustion engine ops with China’s Geely, create listed EV business

The French and Chinese automakers will develop and produce internal combustion engines for their own products as well as for other automakers.

Stellantis, Renault see profit in new business divisions for component re-use

The initiatives aim to increase recycled content in new vehicles while establishing a closed loop for the relatively expensive and scarce minerals in EV batteries.

VW’s PowerCo and battery recycler Umicore form JV for EV cathode materials

The JV will produce materials from 2025 to make cathodes, a component which accounts for roughly half the cost of a battery cell.

Renault Trucks to recover, resell parts from used vehicles in circular economy push

The recovery of used parts suitable for re-sale builds on the company’s existing initiative to refurbish and modernise second-hand trucks.

Mercedes looks to chemical recycling to further develop circular manufacturing operations

Mercedes-Benz is working with BASF and start-up Pyrum Innovations to develop and utilise chemical recycling that will enable circular manufacturing of virgin-quality plastics for vehicle components

Automotive battery manufacturing and supply chain 2022: Risks, regulation and resiliency

The latest AMS battery report forecasts production capacity, analyses suppliers and materials, and shows why OEMs and suppliers are forging new partnerships

UK automakers sound alarm on skills shortages, unfilled engineering roles

The pace of electrification is getting ahead of the time taken to train the engineers with the skills needed for an auto industry transitioning to producing EVs.

Watch: How EV powertrains will reshape automotive production

In this livestream, learn how lithium-ion batteries, cells and components are transforming manufacturing, supply chains and energy requirements with Lars Carlstrom from Italvolt and Statevolt, and AMS battery experts Daniel Harrison.

Volkswagen-led research team to develop closed-loop battery recycling

Consortium launches closed-loop raw material project with the aim to develop permanent recovery of valuable materials to increase sustainability and security of supply

After tailpipes, auto industry ponders CO2 purge from its materials

Three automotive industry executives from Polestar, Volvo Cars and SSAB discuss approaches to removing carbon from carmaking with neither a ready recipe nor time for trial and error.

VW’s Frank Blome appointed CEO of automaker’s new battery company

Volkswagen’s battery technology chief will run the group’s battery development and production division in Europe.

Watch: Meeting the recycling challenge head on

Jacqui Murray, Jason Muccioli and Sam Haig discuss the future of battery recycling and the challenges with second life, safe disassembly and the role of car manufacturers.

Watch: A holistic approach to sustainable vehicle production

Hans Pehrson, Owain Griffiths and Thomas Hörnfeldt emphasise the importance of moving towards a greener model to meet sustaibility targets - whether it’s whole-of-vehicle manufacturing or greening the global supply chain.

Watch: Keeping pace with battery demand and technology

Rising costs and fast-changing battery technology will make it hard to meet EV targets, but localisation and new business models can mitigate issues, according to Automotive Cells Company’s Francisco Carranza and Airbus’s Greg Ombach.

Day 1 Wrap Up: Learning to dredge the data lakes

Industry experts emphasised the need for flexibility and the importance of digital tools in progressing the transformation of automotive manufacturing to electric vehicles. Speakers described challenges of scaling up battery production and supply chain management as well as reducing complexity in production.

Europe’s biggest EV battery recycling plant starts work

Hydrovolt, the biggest EV battery recycling facility in Europe has started operations in Norway, the owners of the joint venture, battery producer Northvolt and aluminum and energy company Hydro, announced on May 16

Mercedes-Benz opens Alabama battery plant and will partner with Envision AESC for regional cell supply

Mercedes-Benz has opened a new battery assembly plant in Bibb County, Alabama, which will build electric vehicle battery packs that will supply production of the all-electric Mercedes-EQ ahead of the beginning of series production this spring at the Mercedes-Benz US International (MBUSI) plant nearby in Tuscaloosa.

What wireless battery management systems mean for sustainable EV manufacturing

As the demand for EVs rises and OEMs rapidly roll out units, battery component manufacturers are looking to develop vital electrification ecosystems. A factor that is increasingly central to the manufacturing of EVs is a battery framework that simplifies the production process for new sustainable models.

End-to-end sustainability: accelerating to zero emissions and the circular economy

Manufacturers are increasing efforts to reduce waste and to reuse and recycle material, including packaging and battery materials. In this session, executives from Magna, CSR Europe and Li-Cycle discuss initiatives in the circular economy and to reduce overall emissions

Expansion plans, sustainability and new EV batteries

The UK has ambitious plans to create a network of giga factories producing electric vehicle batteries. Scotland-based cell manufacturing company AMTE Power is part of this programme and CEO Kevin Brundish spoke with AMS about the company’s involvement and its expansion plans

Aluminium applications

Electric vehicles battery enclosures are increasing overall vehicle weight, with lightweight materials for structural components, such as castings, can offset the rise. Rio Tinto’s Jerome Fourmann tells Nick Holt about new opportunities and production innovations