Read further for five specific ways BMW is affirming its commitment to environmental sustainability in the design and manufacturing of the complete BMW lineup.
1. BMW Commitment to Sustainability: Aluminum and Steel Reclamation
In collaboration with suppliers, BMW implements rigorous recycling programs aimed at reclaiming materials from various stages of production, including manufacturing offcuts, discarded components, and end-of-life vehicles. Up to 70% of aluminum and steel waste is collected from all casting and mechanical processing stations according to type, so materials with different compositions are meticulously sorted, after reconditioning, aluminum scrap can be remelted to manufacture the same components. Creating a focus on reclaimed aluminum and steel waste reduces the manufacturing process’s dependency on finite elements, ensuring that resources are utilized efficiently and sustainably throughout the automotive lifecycle.
2. BMW Commitment to Sustainability: 100% Green Electricity
BMW demonstrates its commitment to sustainability by integrating green electricity into its manufacturing process, thereby reducing its carbon footprint and environmental impact. Thanks to a combined heat and power plant, the BMW Group Plant produces almost half of its own electricity requirements. By using directly-sources green electricity from local hydroelectric power plants, BMW ensures that a significant portion of its electricity consumption comes from sustainable sources.
3. BMW Commitment to Sustainability: Vegan Interior Fittings
Demand for vegan and leather-free fittings continues to grow. The BMW Group is working with start-ups to develop high-quality leather alternatives. Thus, reducing the CO2 footprint of surfaces by 85%. The BMW Group is working to bring a cactus-based material to series production readiness for the automotive industry. The manufacture of leather alternatives using bio-based raw materials, 100% recycled polyester textile and cork particles enable CO2 emissions to be reduced by up to 45% compared to today’s PVC artificial leather.
4. BMW Commitment to Sustainability: Recycled Marine Waste
Plastic bottles, coffee cups, bags and even old fishing nets are massive pollutants in the waters. The BMW Group cooperates preventively and sources nets and ropes from ports to prevent fishing nets being disposed of in the sea. An exclusive recycling method allows these to be processed into a plastic recyclate that is now used in an injection moulding process to produce visible trim parts. BMW uses recycled fishing nets for the fabrics used to make headliners and floor mats for the BMW iX and other models. Using secondary materials instead of primary materials reduces CO2 emissions in the production of thermoplastic components by between 50 and 80%.
5. BMW Commitment to Sustainability: The BMW iX
BMW demonstrates a pioneering approach to sustainability in the manufacturing of the BMW iX by integrating approximately 132 lbs of recycled plastic into various components of the vehicle. This recycled plastic, sourced from post-consumer waste, undergoes a meticulous process of sorting, cleaning, and processing to meet BMW’s stringent quality standards. Once prepared, the recycled plastic is incorporated into components such as interior trim panels, underbody cladding, and other non-structural elements of the iX.
BMW Group Sustainability Successes
Out of 39 automakers evaluated for their success in implementing high environmental and social standards, the BMW Group took first place in the “Automobiles” category of the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices* World and Europe (DJSI), earning 80 out of a possible 100 points. All BMW production locations obtain their electricity exclusively from renewable sources. The BMW Group also reduced CO2 emissions from its new vehicles sold in Europe by around 42%. Across its international production network, the BMW Group has reduced energy consumption per vehicle produced by 40% and CO2 emissions by about 70%. The BMW Group is the most sustainable automotive company in the world and is the only automobile manufacturer to be consistently named among the industry leaders since the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices were created.
Bill Jacobs BMW Shares the BMW Group Commitment to Sustainability
These innovative uses for recycled materials and a commitment to environmental sustainability not only underscores BMW’s commitment to our future but also sets a precedent for the automotive industry, demonstrating how recycled materials can be effectively integrated into high-performance vehicles without compromising quality or design. Find your next BMW at Bill Jacobs BMW and become a part of the push towards eco-conscious mobility.
