Audi joins the Aluminium Stewardship to collaborate in the development of a global standard in sustainable manufacturing methods with aluminum . As a pioneer in the construction of aluminum cars, the company will contribute its experience to define the environmental criteria to be applied throughout the life cycle of this material, from its extraction to production and processing.
Aluminium Stewardship initiative was founded in the fall of 2012 and aims to develop a standard of sustainability for aluminum at the end of 2014, with the support of the IUCN Environmental Organization (International Union for the Conservation of Nature). It establishes the environmental and social criteria that apply to all stages of raw material extraction, as well as aluminum production and processing.
Aluminium Stewardship initiative Audi 's philosophy , since it currently analyzes the environmental impact of its products through its full life cycle, from the extraction of raw materials to the production and operation of recycling.
For each new series of models, Audi has a certified environmental analysis in order to evaluate the impact on the environment, and the objective is always to reduce it compared to the previous model. For example, the company has been able to demonstrate that both the current Audi A6 and the Audi A3 have improved in all relevant environmental categories. The new Audi A3 has a better environmental footprint than its predecessor from the first kilometer. In addition to sustainable materials and manufacturing processes, ultralight construction plays an important role. This makes the Audi A3 up to 80 kilograms lighter –90 kg in the case of A3 Sportback– than the previous generation.
You have to go back 20 years to remember the first car made of aluminum by Audi . It was the Audi Space Frame , a spectacular silver car with the body carried out in unpainted polished aluminum, which Audi presented at the Frankfurt Hall. Audi A8 entered into production , with an aluminum that weighed only 249 kg.
With its current ultra-light construction, Audi applies an intelligent mixture of materials, according to the motto of "the correct material in the right place, in the minimum amount needed." Weight reduction increases driving pleasure, improves security, and has a lower impact on the environment. After all, every reduced kilogram means less fuel consumption and less CO2 that is emitted.
