Tag: renewables

New whitepaper: BASF and Catena-X: Creating a more connected and efficient automotive industry

This whitepaper provides an in-depth look at how BASF, as a top 30 global automotive supplier, is leveraging Catena-X to enhance supply chain transparency, ensure regulatory compliance, and drive efficiency.

Honda scales back China ICE production as it accelerates EV plans in response to intensifying domestic competition and shifting market demand

Honda is restructuring its China operations, cutting ICE production and focusing on EVs after a sharp sales decline. The automaker is betting on its new electric SUV, the S7, to reclaim market share amid intensifying domestic competition and a rapidly evolving industry.

Global battery industry enters new phase as demand surges and prices drop below key cost threshold for Electric Vehicles

The global battery industry has entered a transformative phase. EV demand is pushing annual battery needs past 1TWh, while prices fall below a key cost threshold. China remains dominant, but market shifts and consolidation are poised to reshape supply chains worldwide.

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.

Coventry and Warwick Gigapark aims to transform UK EV battery production amid competition and policy pressure

The Coventry and Warwick Gigapark seeks to anchor the UK’s position in Electric Vehicle (EV) battery Production. With 5.7m sq.f of industrial space, incentives, and a central location, it’s a critical response to ZEV mandates and global competition.

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.

PowerCo partners with Alterric and EnviTec to power Salzgitter Gigafactory with 3 Terawatt Hours of green energy over the next decade

PowerCo SE has secured 3 terawatt hours of green electricity for its Salzgitter gigafactory through long-term agreements with Alterric and EnviTec Biogas. These partnerships will cut 115,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually and support Europe’s renewable energy goals.

BMW group plant Regensburg integrates hydrogen to reshape production logistics by 2030

The Regensburg plant is transitioning its logistics fleet from electric to hydrogen power. With hydrogen filling stations and efficient refuelling, this shift aligns with the bmw iFACTORY vision of a digital, sustainable production future.

BMW conquers Mexico with sustainable production at San Luis Potosí: "It's about more than cars"

The BMW factory canteen in San Luis Potosí serves cactus salad made from nopal leaves – harvested in the gardens on the factory premises. An example of the site philosophy: using local resources, promoting sustainability and delivering the highest quality.

BMW reinforces EV production quality with first phase go-ahead for new Wackersdorf battery testing centre in Germany

BMW’s Wackersdorf facility, now home to an advanced battery testing centre, highlights the automaker’s push towards sustainability and precision in electric vehicle production. The €100 million ($105.65m) investment underscores BMW’s commitment to innovation.

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.

How BYD’s partnership with Apple shaped the future of EV battery technology

Apple’s secret partnership with Chinese automaker BYD focused on developing long-range EV batteries. While Apple’s car project was shelved, BYD’s Blade battery benefited from the collaboration, becoming a key driver of its success in the competitive EV market.

Hyundai, Kia, Hyundai Steel, EcoPro BM partner for LFP battery breakthroughs

The Korean consortium aims to eliminate the precursor step in LFP battery cathode material production, reducing emissions and costs. The project, supported by the Korean government, focuses on developing high-purity iron powder and directly synthesised LFP cathode material for improved battery performance.

How BMW is ‘Designing for Circularity’ to become a sustainability leader in automotive production

BMW’s Roberto Rossetti, Total Vehicle Life Cycle Development, elucidates BMW’s innovative ’Design for Circularity’ approach. From using recycled materials to optimising vehicle disassembly, BMW is redefining how vehicles are produced and consumed.

Northvolt slashes workforce by 1,600 as Europe’s largest EV battery manufacturer stumbles with slow demand, scaling issues, and Chinese competition, pausing major expansion plans

Northvolt, once the great hope for Europe’s EV battery industry, is shedding 1,600 jobs and shelving expansion plans. With slow market demand and fierce Chinese competition, Europe’s green ambitions face a critical test, leaving Northvolt to recalibrate its strategy.

Stellantis invests $406M in three Michigan plants for EV and multi-energy strategy

Stellantis commits over $406M to three Michigan facilities to ramp up production of electric vehicles, including the Ram 1500 REV and electrified Jeep Wagoneer, in line with its Dare Forward 2030 strategy for sustainable mobility.

BMW’s ‘motionless’ and ‘silent’ wind energy system installed at Oxford plant in collaboration with Aeromine

BMW’s commitment to sustainability shines through again as the OEM installs the UK’s first “motionless” wind energy system, offering a unique and efficient solution to traditional wind power challenges. The technology, developed by Aeromine Technologies, has the potential to revolutionize renewable energy production.

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.

Holon seeks to transforms urban mobility with new Florida autonomous shuttle vehicle plant

Holon, a subsidiary of Benteler, has unveiled plans to modernise the future of transportation with its first autonomous shuttle vehicle manufacturing facility in Jacksonville, Florida. The plant is expected to produce up to 5,000 autonomous movers annually.

GM and Samsung SDI seal $3.5B deal for Indiana Electric Vehicle battery plant

General Motors and Samsung SDI have cemented a $3.5 billion agreement to establish an advanced EV battery manufacturing plant in Indiana. This facility will enhance GM’s EV production capabilities by delivering up to 36 GWh of prismatic battery cells annually.

GM continues path towards 2040 carbon neutral target

General Motors (GM) boosts renewable energy sourcing and reduces natural gas consumption to support sustainability targets.

Korea’s LG, SK On and Samsung lead Prismatic battery revival impacting Electric Vehicles and Automotive Production

The prismatic battery is making a comeback, with Korean battery giants leading the charge. Offering advantages in safety and cost, this technology could have lasting implications for the Electric Vehicle, battery, and automotive production landscape.

Stryten Energy and Dragonfly Energy agree to electrify North American automotive production

A strategic partnership between Stryten Energy and Dragonfly Energy will see the ’Battle Born Batteries’ brand enter new consumer markets, while bolstering domestic lithium battery production.

Ford bolsters battery manufacturing with Chris White’s new global role

Ford promotes Chris White to Chief Engineer, Global Battery Manufacturing Engineering. With over 30 years of experience, White will drive Ford’s global EV battery strategy, enhance European operations, and develop cutting-edge manufacturing processes.

Powering the future: Top 5 EV battery chemistries and formats across the world

With batteries underpinning the electrification journey, we take a look at the battery chemistries and architectures driving the change.

How Ford’s Marc Dugas is supercharging battery pack assembly using the POSIWID system

In this Q&A we explore how Marc Dugas, Ford’s Technical Specialist for Battery Pack assembly, uses a little-known systems thinking heuristic called POSIWID, (the Purpose Of the System Is What It Does) to supercharge battery pack assembly

Stellantis and French energy expert CEA collab on next-gen battery cell tech

In a five-year collaboration, automaker Stellantis and France’s CEA will develop next-gen EV battery cells. The partnership targets advanced technology with improved performance, durability, and sustainability, potentially leading to more affordable electric vehicles.

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.

HORSE Powertrain welcomes Aramco as strategic investor, leveraging chemical expertise

Aramco invests 10% in HORSE Powertrain Limited, a joint venture by Renault Group and Geely. This partnership will enhance the development of sustainable powertrains and synthetic fuels, driving the future of automotive decarbonisation.

Is ABB Robotics’ new inkjet paint tech the future of automotive paintshop?

Automotive production paintshop is energy-intensive and costly. Could a new ‘inkjet’-type paintshop technology solve several production issues at once? With major implications for sustainability and customisation, ABB’s PixelPaint sees an explosion in demand.

HORSE announces next-generation Range Extender powertrains

HORSE has introduced innovative Range Extender powertrains for passenger and light commercial vehicles. Offering a 200km electric range plus an additional 600km from an onboard engine, this technology reduces battery size by over 50%, cutting costs and weight.

GKN Automotive reduces direct CO2e emissions in 2023

GKN Automotive has published its second sustainability report, revealing a 10.5% reduction in CO2e emissions in 2023.

Nissan to transition to low-CO2 emission aluminium by 2030

Through sourcing and using low CO2 emission aluminium, Nissan aims to significantly reduce CO2 emissions.

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.

Electric promise in the Middle East: Why Statevolt is building a gigafactory in the UAE instead of Europe

Despite regional challenges and skepticism, serial gigafactory founder Lars Carlstrom sees untapped potential and strategic advantages in the UAE and Middle East, and worries that Europe is missing a huge opportunity to reindustrialise. With Lucid’s foray into EV production in Saudi Arabia and Ceer’s imminent market entry, is the Middle East primed to embrace electrification?

Rivian secures $827m funding, plans expansion and brings in Javier Varela as new COO

Rivian secures $827m in public funding from Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity despite announcing 10% workforce cuts earlier this year. Javier Varela appoitned new COO ahead of R2 production

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.

Toyota invests $1.4B in US manufacturing for new BEV SUV

With a focus on sustainability and job creation, Toyota’s investment in its Princeton facility in Indiana aims to solidify its position in the electrification market, adding up to 340 new jobs and bolstering its long-standing partnership with the state

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…

Volvo’s Taizhou plant achieves climate neutrality with biogas shift

Despite the Taizhou plant’s smaller share in the company’s total emissions, this initiative is critical to Volvo’s goal of climate-neutral manufacturing by 2025 and achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040.

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.

“Our future viability is not a given”: BMW Leipzig’s plant manager Petra Peterhänsel

Despite the crises, the BMW plant in Leipzig is optimistic about the future: in an interview, plant manager Petra Peterhänsel explains how investments in electrification and automation should contribute to a rosy future for the location

The Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS) publishes suggestions to stimulate demand for green steel

The paper argues for stimulating demand for the green steel transition and proposes slowly phasing in ’green premiums’ so as not to upset the consumer base

JLR boosts sustainability with solar power expansion in the UK and drives global ops towards energy independence

The carmaker has announced its sustainable energy expansion focusing on solar power expansion for substantial cost savings and reduced grid dependence

GM and Honda 50/50 Joint Venture Fuel Cell System Manufacturing (FCSM) kicks off production of hydrogen battery fuel cells to power sustainable future

Fuel Cell System Manufacturing (FCSM); the GM-Honda joint venture kicks off production of pioneering hydrogen fuel cell battery technology in Brownstown, Michigan to accelerate sustainable automotive solutions

Green Revolution: How renewable energy is fuelling sustainable automotive manufacturing

Adopting renewable energy in automotive production requires a comprehensive strategy, integrating solar, wind, biogas and electric solutions to drive sustainability and mitigate environmental impact effectively. OEMs, strategies and technologies are converging on different approaches to achieve sustainability goals across regions. Here are some notweworthy projects to keep an eye on…

Nissan announces 100% electric line-up for Europe, despite government flip-flops: “there’s no turning back now.”

The carmaker says a full electric lineup is in the European pipelines for 2030, committing to sweeping EV transformation, technologies and sustainability.

New motor technology to transform electric vehicle production

Opher Doron of EVR Motors describes how a novel electric motor design could have a dramatic impact on vehicle production and the electric vehicle market

Auto industry urges Government to get behind UK EV production

The SMMT has published a new blueprint which sets out the UK’s strengths in advanced automotive manufacturing, low carbon energy, and R&D

Renault strikes renewables supply deals to shrink carbon footprint, slash natural gas use

The new contracts, one of which is France’s largest corporate renewable energy supply deal, will guarantee supplies to Renault over 15 years.

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

Winning the war for energy and talent: how ZF is upgrading plants and skills for growth in EVs and electronics

ZF is accelerating its use of renewable energy, building more critical components in house, decentralising its data analysis and training staff to produce more electronics. Arno Güllering talks tier-1 transformation ahead of the AMS Automotive Evolution Europe Summit in Munich.

After baptism of fire, BMW plant has room to grow in Mexico

Under Harald Gottsche, plant director and CEO of the OEM’s San Luis Potosi facility, BMW has launched new models during the pandemic, navigated supply disruptions, integrated new technology and maintained staff levels – and it’s ready to integrate more production to serve global markets.

What Vorsprung durch Technik means for Audi manufacturing in 2022

Digital over physical: Audi is making progress in production through virtual reality, AI and software prototype builds, modular assembly, quality control and energy conservation. AMS gets a tour of manufacturing digitalisation in Ingolstadt, and learns what keeps production chief Gerd Walker up at night.

BMW to develop and produce e-drives in Steyr, Austria plant from 2025

Almost half of the Steyr plant’s workforce will be assigned to electric powertrain manufacture by the end of the decade.

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-air: a better power source for EVs?

The deficiencies of Li-ion batteries contribute to consumer doubts about EVs, but switching to a different type of technology – Al-air fuel cells – could solve crucial problems

OEMs keen to explore renewable power sources

Vehicle manufacturers are keen to explore energy supplies from renewable sources as they look to reduce and offset emissions from their large-scale production operations

Hitting the gas

Renewable energy for manufacturing

The power of nature