JLR and Novelis Advance Aluminium Sustainability in Luxury Vehicles
JLR (Jaguar Land Rover) is working with Novelis to improve the sustainability of the aluminium used in its cars, as the companies have completed successful trials of a new aluminium skin alloy. This new material, which is up to 85% recycled and up to 95% more energy efficient to produce, represents a significant step towards reducing emissions and enhancing circularity in luxury vehicles.
“This is part of ongoing work by our passionate and dedicated teams in researching and developing more sustainable solutions for our next generation of luxury vehicles without compromising quality or performance,” said Andrea Debbane, Chief Sustainability Officer at JLR. “A fantastic result and perfect demonstration of how, through collaboration, we are able to innovate and drive circularity forward.”
JLR works with Novelis to improve the sustainability of aluminium in its cars
A History of Collaboration: REALCAR
This is not the first time JLR and Novelis have partnered to advance sustainability in the automotive industry. In 2008, the companies launched the REALCAR project, which set a milestone for sustainability and created Europe’s first closed-loop recycling system. This system recovers aluminium scrap from vehicle production, which Novelis recycles and reuses in new car bodies. This recycling process reduces the need for primary aluminium, which is energy-intensive to mine and extract.
The Novelis Advanz 5F-s5754 RC alloy, initially used in the Jaguar XE, is now featured in all JLR models. The alloy can be made entirely from recycled material, and a dedicated railway service efficiently transports the material between Germany and the UK.
This closed-loop process has resulted in more than US$1 million in savings and an 80% reduction in CO₂ equivalent emissions compared to standard road transport.
JLR’s ‘Reimagine’ Strategy
JLR’s ‘Reimagine’ strategy outlines the company’s plan to become a carbon net-zero business by 2039. This plan rests on four pillars:
- Modern luxury
- Electrification
- Sustainability
- Enterprise
The company is investing significantly in its facilities to focus on electrification and decarbonization. Electrification is central to this strategy: by 2030, the Range Rover, Discovery, and Defender collections will all offer 100% electric options, and Jaguar will be entirely electric. As part of its Future Skills Programme, JLR has upskilled more than 25,000 colleagues and partners in electrification and digital skills.
Novelis and Sustainability
Novelis also has a strong commitment to sustainability. The company highlights that “Sustainability has been core to Novelis since our founding.”
Novelis has achieved a 27% reduction in absolute carbon emissions across Scopes 1, 2, and 3 since 2016 and incorporates an average of 63% recycled content in its aluminium rolled products. The company aims to reach 75% recycled content through strategic partnerships by 2030.
Novelis is also committed to its innovative use of hydrogen fuel, and successfully tested its use to power a recycling furnace in its Latchford plant in Warrington, UK. By replacing natural gas with hydrogen in the melting furnace, Novelis has shown that CO₂e emissions can be reduced by up to 90%.
