Munich. With the new BMW X5, the BMW Group is systematically extending its holistic approach to sustainability to additional vehicle derivatives. The aim is to further optimise the entire vehicle lifecycle and minimise its carbon footprint – from the supply chain and production, through to the use phase and, ultimately, recycling.

Supply chain decarbonisation as key lever
Targeted decarbonisation throughout the supply chain is a key lever for reducing CO₂e emissions. The BMW Group is focusing in particular on renewable energy and secondary materials, as well as product and process innovations. Its holistic approach to sustainability is being applied across all X5 drivetrain variants.
The impact of this approach is reflected in the CO₂e reductions achieved: during the product development process, CO₂e emissions of the BMW X5 were reduced by around 40 percent.[1][2]
A further advance is the increased use of CO₂e-reduced flat steel for the body. Around 50 percent of the flat steel used in the BMW X5 is electric arc furnace steel (EAF steel) with a high proportion of secondary material, produced using renewable energy. The high share of CO₂e-reduced flat steel is the result of close, long-standing collaboration with local suppliers in North America.

Systematic use of secondary materials
The new BMW X5 achieves a high proportion of secondary raw materials, even in heavy-duty components. These include aluminium suspension components such as wheel rims, swivel bearings, wheel supports, rear axle supports and brake callipers, which are manufactured using renewable energy for both electrolysis and production. The aluminium used for the doors of the new BMW X5 contains 35 percent recycled and closed-loop material from BMW Spartanburg’s press shop. The base material used for the yarn of the headliner fabric is made from 100 percent recycled PET. In the battery-electric BMW iX5 60 xDrive, around one third of the total vehicle is made up of secondary raw materials, equivalent to a weight of 940 kilograms.[3]

Gen6 battery cells with reduced carbon footprint
The Gen6 battery cells used in the BMW iX5’s high-voltage battery include a high proportion of secondary materials in the cobalt, lithium and nickel content. Renewable energy is also used in the production of anode and cathode materials, as well as in cell manufacturing. Compared with the Gen5 cell used in the BMW iX, CO₂e emissions have been reduced by around 28 percent per watt-hour.

Efficiency during use phase
With its EfficientDynamics technology package, the BMW Group optimises vehicle efficiency across all relevant subsystems during the use phase. This includes aerodynamics, lightweight construction, low rolling resistance wheels and tyres, and overall energy management. EfficientDynamics has been used by the BMW Group across all drive technologies since 2007. The new fully electric BMW iX5 also features the familiar “Heart of Joy” from the BMW iX3 and BMW i3, with the BMW Dynamic Performance Control driving stack developed entirely in-house. With effortless, confident drivability and a particularly smooth stopping experience, the system also enhances efficiency: during deceleration, more energy is recovered through recuperation in significantly more driving situations, right down to a standstill.

CO₂e advantage achievable after approximately one to two years of use
Comprehensive decarbonisation measures across the supply chain, production and use phase result in an early breakeven point. Depending on the drivetrain variant, annual mileage and source of the electricity used for charging, the new BMW iX5 60 xDrive achieves a CO₂e advantage over a comparable model with an internal combustion engine after approximately one to two years of use.

Production at largest BMW Group plant
The BMW Group’s holistic approach to sustainability also extends to vehicle manufacturing at its largest production site, Plant Spartanburg. All external power required for production at BMW Group Plant Spartanburg comes from renewable sources.
Between 2006 and 2025, energy consumption per produced vehicle decreased by 66 percent. The volume of waste sent to landfills was also reduced by 88 percent over the same period. The newly built high-voltage battery assembly plant in Woodruff, which is connected to the main plant, runs entirely without fossil fuels in normal operation.

TÜV-validated Product Carbon Footprint publicly available
The BMW Group will publish the Product Carbon Footprint for the BMW X5, validated by the German Technical Inspection Association (TÜV), to accompany the series launch. The report, including the underlying calculation methodology, will be publicly available. In this way, the BMW Group provides transparency regarding the raw materials used and CO₂e emissions across the vehicle’s entire lifecycle.

If you have any questions, please contact:

BMW Group Corporate Communications

Dr. Cornelia Bovensiepen, Head of Communications Product Sustainability

Telephone: +49 151 601 94935

Email: Cornelia.Bovensiepen@bmw.de

Media website: https://newsroom.bmwgroup.com/global/en

Email: presse@bmwgroup.com

The BMW Group

With its four brands, BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad, the BMW Group is the world’s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles and also provides premium financial services. The BMW Group production network comprises over 30 production sites worldwide; the company has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.

In 2025, the BMW Group sold 2.46 million passenger vehicles and more than 202,500 motorcycles worldwide. Profit before tax in the financial year 2025 was €10.2 billion on revenues amounting to €133.5 billion. As of 31 December 2025, the BMW Group had a workforce of 154,540 employees.

The economic success of the BMW Group has always been based on long-term thinking and responsible action. Sustainability is a key element of the BMW Group’s corporate strategy and covers all products – from the supply chain through production to the end of their useful life.

www.bmwgroup.com

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/bmw-group/

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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bmwgroup

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bmwgroup

Munich/Dresden. BMW and SOLARWATT are further expanding their collaboration in the field of smart energy and home charging solutions.

With the launch of the first models in the Neue Klasse, the BMW iX3 and the BMW i3, BMW is beginning the rollout of its bidirectional charging technology.

Following Germany’s first commercial Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) offering - available since March 2026 - the next logical step for Vehicle-to-Home (V2H) is now being taken: BMW iX3 and BMW i3 customers can now make even more extensive use of this new technology in their vehicles.

With the increasing electrification of mobility and customer households, new opportunities are emerging for holistic energy optimization and the integration of both ecosystems.

As part of this, BMW and SOLARWATT are optimizing the integration of the electric vehicle into the customer’s household. To this end, the SOLARWATT Manager home energy management system (HEMS) will serve as the link between both ecosystems in the future.

The SOLARWATT HEMS handles the central and intelligent control and optimization of energy flows in the household via coordinated and communicating components. This efficiently optimizes the generation, storage, and consumption of energy.

The electric vehicle is seamlessly integrated into the interaction between the photovoltaic system (PV system), home storage, and consumers in the home as an additional storage unit.

This home network integration is made possible by combining BMW Neue Klasse models with the bidirectional BMW Wallbox Professional, which not only charges the vehicle but can also feed energy back into the home when needed.

The market launch for the integration of bidirectional BMW vehicles into SOLARWATT’s new HEMS for Vehicle-to-Home (V2H) applications is planned for late 2026 in Germany, Austria and the Netherlands.

BMW and SOLARWATT have been collaborating in the field of electromobility since 2013. In 2021, the two partners also launched a home storage system featuring a battery module that incorporates components also used in the BMW Group’s electric vehicles. Since 2025, the successor model, SOLARWATT Battery vision, has been available, with its housing and design created by BMW Designworks USA.

Smart Connectivity: Energy Management and Home Network Integration in perfect harmony

Since the launch of the Neue Klasse, BMW has relied on Vehicle-to-Home (V2H) technology as a gateway to bidirectional charging, the use of solar energy, and the reduction of energy costs.

The offering is now being expanded to include home network integration for optimal energy management. This marks a significant advancement for V2H applications. The intelligent interaction of all components (BMW electric vehicle, BMW Wallbox Professional, HEMS from SOLARWATT, home storage, and other consumers) creates a holistic system that not only optimizes self-consumption but also takes the flexibility and efficiency of the home energy supply to a new level.

Homeowners control their settings via the My BMW App and the SOLARWATT Home app. With the V2H option, the electric car serves as additional storage for surplus solar power generated by the PV system. In addition to optimizing the interaction of all components, the SOLARWATT Manager allows for the integration of dynamic electricity rates and the incorporation of solar forecasts to further optimize charging and discharging processes, further reduce energy costs, and increase self-sufficiency.

The SOLARWATT Manager is designed to be open: In addition to SOLARWATT's product range, home storage systems from other brands can also be integrated. This creates a flexible home energy system that can be expanded in stages.

Overall Optimization: Electric Car Complements Home Battery Storage

“Drivers of a Neue Klasse electric car like the BMW iX3 can use the additional storage to make even more efficient use of self-generated solar power, increase self-consumption, and thus reduce their reliance on expensive grid electricity. For many homeowners, the prospect of expanding an existing home battery storage system with an electric car is highly attractive. This significantly increases the benefits of one’s own PV system, lowers electricity costs, and makes the home even less dependent on purchasing electricity from the grid,” says SOLARWATT CPO Peter Bachmann.

“At the same time, bidirectional charging holds enormous potential for the energy transition, as the batteries of electric vehicles collectively form a massive storage reserve. If this flexibility is intelligently integrated into energy markets and households, it can help relieve the strain on power grids, better integrate renewable energy, and make additional storage capacity available quickly and cost-effectively,” says Marcus Krieg, Vice President New Business at the BMW Group.

Market Launch and Future Strategic Direction

Following the next public milestone at Intersolar (The Smarter E), the focus is on the phased implementation of the next project milestones leading up to the market launch at the end of this year.

BMW and SOLARWATT consistently place the customer and their entire ecosystem at the center of their efforts. The partners aim to enable seamless and reliable interaction between all components in the home and in the vehicle. In doing so, they create a consistent, integrated customer experience and strengthen their position as leading companies in the field of connected vehicle and home usage.

Munich/Zagreb. The BMW Group and the Croatian University of Zagreb’s Regional Centre of Excellence for Robotic Technology (CRTA) continue to advance joint research in battery cell production. The “Insight” research project will develop and implement practical AI models to optimise battery cell production at the BMW Group. The research project covers the entire battery cell value chain: from electrode production to end-of-line testing and in-house developed direct recycling.

How the research project saves raw materials, costs and time

At the Battery Cell Competence Centre (BCCC) in Munich, the BMW Group is developing battery cells for future generations of high-voltage batteries. As part of this process, numerous test series are conducted, which by their very nature require significant time and material investment. At the same time, these tests tie up manufacturing equipment and laboratory capacity. This is where the “Insight” research project comes in: Its artificial intelligence network uses existing test data, as well as real-time data from ongoing production, to accurately predict battery cell process parameters and performance data. As a result, the duration and number of test series can be significantly reduced, while maintaining or improving quality. In this way, the newly developed AI systems reduce the material and time required in individual process steps by more than 50 percent.

Other cell production use cases

The research project’s prediction models not only reduce the number of test series but also support final approval of battery cells. Following initial charging at the end of production, the cells must be stored for a defined period at precisely specified temperatures before they can be installed in a battery housing. This phase, also referred to as the “quarantine”, requires corresponding storage capacity. However, the research project’s AI systems are able to conduct a full analysis of the battery cells in advance, potentially eliminating this process step in the future.

Research collaboration combines theory and practice

Since the project was launched in 2024, the BMW Group and the University of Zagreb have been developing joint solutions using artificial intelligence to improve battery cell production. To this end, doctoral candidates and students at the University of Zagreb are collating and structuring available production data and using it to create AI models that can identify specific patterns. These AI models then make predictions that further optimise production performance, quality and costs. “We are working on scaling the newly developed AI models from the prototype environment,” explains Christian Siedelhofer, head of Technology Development Lithium-Ion Battery Cells at the BMW Group. One option would be to enable cell manufacturers. “We are also examining to what extent these models are suitable for additional use cases within our production network.”

Win-win through knowledge sharing

The University of Zagreb contributes expertise in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering and computer science to the project. Ongoing knowledge sharing benefits both partners: The University of Zagreb provides the BMW Group with access to the latest research findings, while its doctoral candidates and students have the opportunity to apply their theoretical knowledge in practice.

Development of young talent

Another aspect of the cooperation is the development of young talent. “Our joint project gets doctoral candidates and students interested in AI and battery cells and the exciting work we do at our Battery Cell Competence Centres,” says Stefan Kerscher, head of Technology Development Battery Cells at the BMW Group. “We are delighted when young talents decide to embark on a career with our company.” The cooperation offers students intensive mentoring and the opportunity to expand their professional network across the industry, enhancing their attractiveness on the job market and opening up outstanding career opportunities. The cooperation between the BMW Group and the University of Zagreb strengthens the innovation capability and competitiveness of both partners.

Battery cell expertise along the entire value chain

The BMW Group consolidates its battery cell know-how at its Competence Centres in Munich, Parsdorf and Salching. The Battery Cell Competence Centre (BCCC) in Munich houses research and development for the battery cells of the future. The best battery concept from the BCCC will be produced under near-series conditions at the Cell Manufacturing Competence Centre (CMCC) in Parsdorf. Close cross-divisional collaboration between Development, Purchasing and Production integrates product and process in a unique way. In addition to producing sample cells, the BMW Group is also focusing its efforts on the reuse of materials. As part of this process, the company has put into service a Cell Recycling Competence Centre (CRCC) in Salching, Lower Bavaria, together with Encory GmbH, which will implement the innovative direct recycling concept. The intellectual property for the recycling method is owned by the BMW Group.

Munich. In line with its sustainability strategy, the BMW Group is once again systematically leveraging product sustainability innovations in the new BMW 7 Series. This is evident, for example, in the use of a new battery cell technology and a higher percentage of secondary material in the wheel rims. These measures represent a targeted further development, applying proven sustainability approaches to another BMW model.

Sixth-generation (Gen6) battery cells in the new BMW i7: Measures to reduce CO₂e in core component.
Essential levers for reducing supply chain CO₂e emissions include increased use of secondary materials and renewable energies, in combination with selected product and process innovations.
Gen6 battery cells for the BMW i7’s high-voltage battery are manufactured exclusively using energy from renewable sources. The same applies to production of the necessary anode and cathode active material. Cell production also relies in part on secondary raw materials for the lithium, cobalt and nickel required. This reduces the overall supply chain CO₂e footprint of the Gen6 battery cell in the new BMW i7 60 xDrive by approximately 33 percent compared to the previous Gen5 cell used in the BMW i7 to date.

Aluminium wheels with high percentage of secondary raw materials.
From 2026, selected rim designs for the BMW i7 will be available with 70 percent secondary aluminium. Electrolysis of the remaining primary aluminium, as well as wheel rim production, is carried out in part using renewable energy. All components with a high percentage of secondary raw materials meet the BMW Group’s same strict quality standards, while also contributing to resource efficiency.

Enhanced efficiency during use phase.
With its EfficientDynamics technology package, the BMW Group optimises vehicle efficiency across all relevant subsystems during the use phase. This includes aerodynamics, lightweight construction, rolling resistance and overall energy management. EfficientDynamics has been used by the BMW Group across all drive technologies since 2007.

Production at BMW Group Plant Dingolfing.
All model variants of the new BMW 7 Series Sedan are produced at BMW Group Plant Dingolfing. The facility in Lower Bavaria, the Group’s primary plant for BMW luxury cars, increasingly relies on renewable energy for electricity and heating. 100 percent of its external electricity comes from renewable sources, some of which is also generated directly on site. In late 2025, an approximately 100,000-square-metre rooftop photovoltaic system with an output of almost 11 MWp was commissioned at the facility. In addition, a biomass heating plant went on-stream late last year to ensure that locally-produced heat is partially supplied from renewable energy sources.

In line with BMW Group’s sustainable development goals.
The BMW Group’s commitment to the Paris Climate Agreement and to reaching “net zero” no later than 2050 is an integral part of its holistic 360° approach to sustainability, which is anchored in its corporate strategy. The BMW Group has set itself ambitious science-based CO₂e targets for the coming years and intends to reduce its CO₂e emissions by a total of at least 40 million tonnes from 2019 levels by 2030.

Transparency through BMW Vehicle Footprint.
The BMW Group has published its vehicles’ Product Carbon Footprint, as validated by the German Technical Inspection Association (TÜV), in the so-called Vehicle Footprint for several years. This report is publicly available here for all drive trains of the new BMW 7 Series from the start of production and can also be accessed in the My BMW app. In this way, the BMW Group creates transparency around the percentage of secondary materials and CO₂e emissions throughout the vehicle’s lifecycle.

Munich / Berlin. The partnership between the BMW Group and ESMT Berlin enters its fifth year. In 2026, the BMW Group Change Maker Fellowship will once again support future leaders who want to actively shape digital transformation. The fellowships are available for ESMT’s Full-time MBA and MSc programmes as well as the Global Online MBA.

For the upcoming academic year, eight fellowships will be awarded:

• two fellowships for the Full-time MBA (January 2027 intake)
• two fellowships for the MSc programmes (September 2026 intake)
• four fellowships for the Global Online MBA (October 2026 intake)

The initiative reflects the shared ambition of the BMW Group and ESMT Berlin to identify promising talent and prepare responsible leaders who drive positive change in business and society.

“We are proud to be entering the fifth year of our partnership with ESMT. Especially now, we need leaders who take responsibility and use technology and digitalisation to shape the future. Responsible leadership is deeply rooted at BMW – for us, responsibility means seeking solutions to societal challenges and bringing our people with us on that journey,” says Ilka Horstmeier, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, responsible for People and Real Estate, and Labour Relations Director. 

The BMW Group Change Maker Fellowship is aimed at candidates with a strong STEM background who want to complement their technical expertise with a management education. The programme combines technological know-how with leadership and business skills, preparing participants to take on responsibility in digital innovation and actively shape the future of the mobility ecosystem.

The BMW Group employs more than 10,000 IT and software experts worldwide and operates a global network of IT hubs in Germany, India, Portugal, Romania, Brazil, China, the United States, and South Africa. Reflecting this footprint, the 2026 Change Maker Fellowships are open to applicants from countries with BMW Group IT hubs.

ESMT President Jörg Rocholl says, “We thank BMW Group for its sustained partnership in advancing this initiative. Digital transformation and artificial intelligence are changing the capabilities required in leadership roles. The Change Maker Fellowship brings together technological backgrounds and management education to prepare participants for responsibility in this evolving environment.”

Who can apply?

The BMW Group Change Maker Fellowship is open to candidates with a strong quantitative or technology-focused background. Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree in a related field or have current work experience in areas such as computer science, IT, automation, or digitalisation. They must also meet the admission requirements of the respective ESMT programme.

Applications are open exclusively to citizens or permanent residents of the following countries: Germany, India, Portugal, Romania, Brazil, China, the United States, and South Africa. Individuals with recognised refugee status in Germany are also eligible.

For the Full-time MBA and MSc programmes, applicants must not be older than 30 on September 1, 2026.

What inspires your digital future?

As part of the application process, candidates will be asked to answer the following question: “The BMW Group actively shapes the future of mobility: what aspect of a digital future fascinates you most, and why?”

More information about the fellowship and the application process is available here.

If you have any questions, please contact:

BMW Group Corporate Communications

Katharina Schalk, Spokesperson, Corporate Citizenship

Email: katharina.schalk@bmwgroup.com

Tel: +49-151-601-51092

ESMT Press contact

Lennart Richter

Press Spokesperson

Phone: +49 160 552 139 3

lennart.richter@esmt.org

About ESMT Berlin

ESMT Berlin is a leading global business school with its campus in the heart of Berlin. Founded by 25 global companies, ESMT offers master, MBA, and PhD programs, as well as executive education on its campus in Berlin, in locations around the world, online, and in online blended format. Focusing on leadership, innovation, and analytics, its diverse faculty publishes outstanding research in top academic journals. Additionally, the international business school provides an interdisciplinary platform for discourse between politics, business, and academia. ESMT is a non-profit private institution of higher education with the right to grant PhDs and is accredited by AACSB, AMBA, EQUIS, and ZEvA. It is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion across all its activities and communities. esmt.berlin

The BMW Group

With its four brands, BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad, the BMW Group is the world’s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles and also provides premium financial services. The BMW Group production network comprises over 30 production sites worldwide; the company has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.

In 2025, the BMW Group sold 2.46 million passenger vehicles and more than 202,500 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax in the financial year 2025 was € 10.2 billion on revenues amounting to € 133,5 billion. As of 31 December 2025, the BMW Group had a workforce of 154,540 employees.

The economic success of the BMW Group has always been based on long-term thinking and responsible action. Sustainability is a key element of the BMW Group’s corporate strategy and covers all products – from the supply chain through production to the end of their useful life. 

www.bmwgroup.com

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/bmw-group/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/bmwgroup

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bmwgroup

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bmwgroup

Munich/Wackersdorf. The BMW Group is relocating its Recycling and Dismantling Centre (RDC) from Unterschleißheim to the company’s Wackersdorf site, with a significant expansion. At the new location, a technologically state-of-the-art competence centre for circularity is being built, advancing vehicle dismantling and recycling expertise for the future. Commissioning is scheduled for early 2029.

“The circular economy is a key element of the BMW Group’s corporate strategy,” says Jörg Lederbauer, Vice-President Circular Economy, Spare Parts Supply High Voltage Battery and Electric Powertrain at the BMW Group. “Our new competence centre in Wackersdorf will be a core component of our circular value chain and will help make the mobility of the future more resource efficient. We want to find the best way to keep materials in the cycle, ensuring that resources retain their value for further use in the long term. This will also reduce our dependence on primary raw materials. At the same time, the use of high-quality secondary materials will continue to significantly lower our vehicles’ carbon footprint.”

For more than 30 years, at its current location in Unterschleißheim, near Munich, the BMW Group Recycling and Dismantling Centre (RDC) has developed methods aimed at achieving significant advances in the recycling of parts and the recovery of materials, and has tested them in practice. The insights gained by the RDC into the recyclability of components and materials, in line with Design for Circularity principles, are already incorporated into product development at the BMW Group. These insights also feed into the cooperation with PreZero, which the BMW Group recently entered into in order to leverage the strategic and economic potential of the circular economy in end‑of‑life vehicle recycling. 

The recycling industry’s global network also benefits from the work of the RDC. Around 3,000 businesses in 32 countries rely on a shared recycling database for information on how recyclable components can be disassembled cost-effectively and valuable materials efficiently recovered.

At the future site, process, material and technology development will be even more closely integrated with vehicle recycling operations. The new scope of activities at the Competence Centre Circularity includes the recycling of hydrogen vehicles, automation of dismantling processes and development of expertise in innovative shredding and sorting technologies.

The BMW Group sees Wackersdorf as the ideal new location for the Competence Centre Circularity, with BMW Group Plant Wackersdorf having embodied flexibility for decades: Housing cockpit production, the Rolls-Royce door and flap production centre, parts supply for overseas plants and the battery testing centre, the site has wide-ranging expertise and is firmly established within the BMW Group network.

“In recent years, the company has set a decisive course for the future of the Wackersdorf location. Throughout this process, the entire plant team has consistently demonstrated flexibility. Building the competence centre for circularity here provides our site with a broader foundation. In this way, we are tapping into an attractive, future-oriented area of activity,” says Stefan Betz, head of BMW Group Plant Wackersdorf.

“The company is systematically continuing its successful transformation. Establishing the new Competence Centre Circularity here represents an important strategic decision by the company in favour of the Wackersdorf location – and, above all, its employees. As employee representatives, we also supported this,” says André Mandl, Works Council Chairman for BMW Group Plants Regensburg and Wackersdorf.

“In Wackersdorf, BMW has been a strong partner by our side for many decades. We are delighted that the BMW Group is reaffirming its commitment to the location with this move. It sends a clear signal for our site and for sustainable future technologies,” says Thomas Falter, Mayor of Wackersdorf.

“The cutting-edge Competence Centre Circularity will make a major contribution to regional value creation and further development of the circular economy,” adds Thomas Ebeling, District Administrator of Schwandorf District. “In combination with the trechnology transfer centre planned for Wackersdorf by the Regensburg University of Applied Sciences and the University of Applied Sciences Amberg Weiden, close integration of business and academia on the circular economy will now also be possible. In this way, we are strengthening the region.”

Following the location decision, the detailed planning phase for the Competence Centre Circularity at the new site can now begin. The existing RDC in Unterschleißheim will remain fully operational until the relocation. The BMW Group will provide further information on the next steps in due course.

Munich. With the new BMW i3, the BMW Group is reaffirming its holistic approach to product sustainability – shining a light on a relevant dimension of product development that has been less visible up until now: health and well-being in the passenger compartment. To address this aspect of vehicle development, interior air quality, material selection and olfactory perception are systematically studied and evaluated at the company’s own odour laboratory.

Holistic product sustainability as a guiding principle.
The BMW Group considers sustainability throughout a vehicle's entire lifecycle – from raw material extraction through the supply chain and production all the way to the use phase and recycling. This 360° approach combines product sustainability, technological innovation and long-term company success. Health and well-being are embedded into product development and systematically integrated into processes and standards.

Interior air quality and its impact on health.
Vehicle interior air quality is an important factor for health and well-being inside the vehicle. Emissions from materials, as well as influences such as temperature and humidity directly impact vehicle occupants. When selecting materials for the vehicle interior, the BMW Group therefore pays close attention to avoiding emissions that could be detrimental to health. For more than 25 years, the company has relied on its own testing methods to measure and evaluate emissions and scent profiles in the vehicle interior. The latest findings from toxicology, health and sensory research are continuously applied to in-house standards that the BMW Group also actively shares in international standardisation and specialised bodies.
The aim is to ensure the interior has a scent that is authentic, discreet and high-end, reinforcing the brand's premium promise. The use of artificial fragrances is deliberately avoided.

Scent as a subconscious dimension.
The BMW Group deliberately addresses on scent in the vehicle interior, as this has a significant influence on the occupants’ health and well-being.
Scents act directly on the limbic system, evoking emotions and memories, and contributing to the subjective feeling of safety. A pleasant and subtle scent is therefore part of the premium experience and an expression of the brand's aspirations.
By minimising harmful emissions and selecting high-quality materials, the BMW Group acknowledges its responsibility for the health of its customers. Managing scent is therefore part of a holistic approach to sustainability across the entire lifecycle.

Inside the BMW Group scent laboratory.
At the BMW Group scent laboratory, materials, components and complete vehicle interiors are tested under realistic conditions. The analysis relies on the integration of modern measurement technologies and the trained sensory evaluation of BMW Group experts. Humans remain central to this process. This approach ensures compliance with legal requirements and adherence to internal quality standards. Scent is viewed as part of a multi-sensory, holistic experience. What matters most is not the individual component, but the interaction of all materials in the vehicle interior, which determines the overall olfactory experience.

Health and well-being as elements of product sustainability.
The new BMW i3 embodies an aspiration that applies to the entire BMW Group brand portfolio: In addition to a consistent decarbonisation strategy throughout the vehicle lifecycle, the model relies on a high percentage of secondary materials and innovative material concepts for the interior.
“Health and well-being are an integral part of product sustainability for us. Environmental factors and a growing health awareness are changing how we perceive our living spaces – including our cars. Our customers expect products that are designed to take their health and well-being into account. That is why interior air quality is a key product feature in our holistic approach to sustainability,” according to Nils Hesse, Vice President Product Sustainability at the BMW Group.

Munich. In the BMW i3, as with the BMW iX3, the BMW Group applies a 360° approach to sustainability. At its core is decarbonisation throughout the entire vehicle lifecycle – from product development through the supply chain and production to the end of the use phase. In this way, the second Neue Klasse model also contributes to achieving the ambitious, overarching CO₂e targets the company has set itself.

CO₂e benefits already after 1-2 years of use.
Depending on the drive train variant, annual mileage and source of the electricity used for charging, the new BMW i3 50xDrive already achieves a CO₂e advantage over a comparable model with an internal combustion engine after one to two years of use[1].

Decarbonisation in the supply chain.
Targeted decarbonisation is a key starting point for reducing CO₂e emissions throughout the supply chain. The use of renewable energies, the increasing share of secondary material, and product and process innovations – for example, in the Gen6 cell and high-voltage battery – contribute to a significant emissions reduction across the entire supply chain.
The results of this systematic approach are demonstrated by the emission reductions achieved: Specific measures during product development of the BMW i3 lowered supply chain CO₂e emissions by about a third.[2]

Innovative materials and technologies for interior and exterior.
The “Design for Circularity” principle is also systematically applied in the new BMW i3. The concept incorporates gradually increased use of secondary materials, targeted reduction of material selection and optimised dismantling capability.
For example, the BMW i3 uses 30 percent recycled plastic in its front bumper trim. At the same time, the number of different materials used for the entire bumper, excluding mounted parts, was reduced from 15 to 7, compared to the predecessor model (seventh-generation BMW 3 Series). Due to the high use of a plastic particularly suitable for recycling, the proportion of recyclable plastic was increased from approximately 46 percent in the predecessor to about 85 percent[3]. This enables the recovery of high-quality plastic recyclates from the vehicle.
Another example of how the “Design for Circularity” principle is implemented in the new BMW i3 is the Econeer seat covers offered as part of the “Essential” equipment line, which are made from a recyclable textile composite. The basic material for the upper fabric is 100-percent recycled PET. The use of recycled PET granulate – as the base material for the polyester yarn required – significantly reduces CO₂e emissions and water consumption during manufacturing compared to primary material. The dismantling capability of the seat cover has also been improved to facilitate a material-specific separation at the end of the lifecycle.

Use of secondary materials in the new BMW i3.
The new BMW i3 consists of approx. 30 percent secondary materials in total[4]^: These include cast aluminium components, such front and rear knuckle, with 80 percent secondary material content, and cast aluminium wheel rims with 70 percent secondary aluminium.The housing for the rear electric motor, produced at BMW Plant Landshut, comprises up to two-thirds secondary aluminium. A portion of the energy used in production comes from renewable sources.
In the Gen6 battery cells of the BMW i3 high‑voltage battery, secondary materials are partially used for cobalt, lithium and nickel. Energy from renewable sources is used in manufacturing the anode and cathode materials, as well as for cell production. In comparison to the previous model’s Gen5 cell, CO₂e emissions were reduced by approx. 33 percent per watt hour.
Further examples of the innovative use of engineering and secondary materials include the engine compartment cover and the storage compartment under the BMW i3's bonnet. The starting material for these consists of 30 percent recycled maritime plastic – post-consumer material from used fishing nets and ropes – while the base material for the yarn used in the textiles for the headliner, A-pillar and parcel shelf consists entirely of recycled material.

Enhanced efficiency during use phase.
With the EfficientDynamics technology package, vehicle efficiency is optimised across all subsystems during the use phase.
This encompasses aerodynamics, lightweight construction, rolling resistance and overall energy management, for example. Efficientynamics has been employed by the BMW Group since 2007, across all drive technologies.

BMW Group Plant Munich undergoes extensive modernisation.
BMW Group Plant Munich is the BMW Group’s main plant.For more than a century, the plant has been producing premium mobility in Munich’s Milbertshofen district. Over the past four years, the site has been completely modernised: In addition to a new body shop, a state-of-the-art vehicle assembly was also built, including logistics areas. The new facilities are now in the final stages of construction. Production of the new BMW i3 will get underway here in 2026. Just one year later, the Munich location will transition its production portfolio to exclusively fully-electric vehicles for the Neue Klasse. As the BMW Group’s oldest automobile production site, the plant sources 100 percent of its external electricity requirements from renewable energy.

In line with BMW Group’s sustainable development goals.
The BMW Group’s commitment to the Paris Climate Agreement and to reaching “net zero” no later than 2050 is an integral part of its holistic 360° approach to sustainability, which is anchored in its corporate strategy. The company has set itself ambitious science-based CO₂e targets for the coming years. The BMW Group intends to reduce its CO₂e emissions by a total of at least 40 million tonnes from 2019 levels by 2030.

Transparency through Product Carbon Footprint .
The BMW Group has published its vehicles’ Product Carbon Footprint, as validated by the German Technical Inspection Association (TÜV), for many years in the so-called Vehicle Footprint. This report is publicly available here for all drive trains of the new BMW 3 Series from the Start of Production and can also be accessed in the My BMW app. In this way, the BMW Group creates transparency around the percentage of secondary materials and CO₂e emissions across the vehicles’ entire lifecycle.

Munich / New York. Founded in 2011, the Intercultural Innovation Hub (IIH) is a joint initiative by the BMW Group and the United Nations Alliance of Civilisations (UNAOC), supported by Accenture. In 2026, the search is on again for projects worldwide that build inclusive societies and drive social change through intercultural innovation.

Global impact through social innovation

The Intercultural Innovation Hub is far more than a funding programme; it is a catalyst for growth and impact. Participating organisations receive hands-on mentoring and take part in an intensive capacity-building programme designed to strengthen and scale their strategies for addressing complex intercultural challenges.

Who is eligible to enter?

Non-profit organisations and social enterprises are eligible to take part. Focus areas include:

• Advancing gender equality
• Combatting xenophobia, hate speech and extremism
• Leveraging sport, art and culture as drivers of change
• Fostering inclusion of people with disabilities
• The responsible use of AI and new technologies to support these goals

Up to ten projects will be selected to receive funding and support.

What does the funding package include?

USD 20,000 in project funding to strengthen and expand initiatives.

A one-year capacity-building programme featuring international workshops, masterclasses and one-on-one mentoring from experts at Accenture, the UNAOC and the BMW Group.

Access to a global leadership platform and an international community dedicated to fostering inclusion and social cohesion worldwide.

Apply now!
Entry deadline: 15 April 2026, 17:00 hrs EDT (New York)
Entry portal: www.interculturalinnovation.org/application-processEligibility requirements: www.interculturalinnovation.org/the-project/who-can-apply

If you have any questions, please contact:

BMW Group Corporate Communications

Katharina Schalk, spokesperson, Corporate Citizenship

Email: katharina.schalk@bmwgroup.com

Tel: +49-151-601-51092

Milena Pighi, Head of Corporate Citizenship

Email: milena.pa.pighi@bmwgroup.com

Tel: +49-160-978-24316

United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC)

Dana Podmolikova, Programme Management Specialist - Youth
Email: danap@unops.org  

Tel: +1 (212) 963-7149

Hams Hall, UK. BMW Group’s Hams Hall plant, located in the UK, has reached a major milestone: For exactly 25 years, the plant near Birmingham has produced highly efficient internal combustion engines for a variety of BMW Group vehicle models. More than 7.6 million engines have shipped from Hams Hall since 2001. The facility supplies numerous production sites worldwide with highly efficient petrol engines for the BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce brands, including drive trains for plug-in hybrid models – making the plant an integral part of the BMW Group’s technology-open approach. Today, Plant Hams Hall produces three and four-cylinder petrol engines to high performance V8 engines, powering vehicles across both BMW and MINI. Separately, the V12 engine is produced at Plant Hams Hall exclusively for Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. Its assembly follows a distinct, bespoke production process, carried out by specially trained engineers and technicians, before final delivery to the Home of Rolls-Royce at Goodwood.

Plant Hams Hall – an integral part of the global production network

"This anniversary is a special milestone for our site," says Dirk Dreher, Head of the BMW Group's Hams Hall plant. "We are a competitive plant and there’s always been a real passion among our workforce to continually improve our manufacturing processes and site. Building on our strong foundation, we are looking forward to remaining a successful plant in the future."

“The Hams Hall plant is an integral part of our global production network,” explains Harald Gottsche, Head of Engine Production at BMW AG. “The site combines technological expertise with high flexibility. It reliably supplies our vehicle plants with efficient, powerful engines of premium quality. This includes the V12 engine – a masterpiece from Hams Hall!”

61% reduction in energy use per engine built since the start of full production

The British engine plant is systematically implementing the principles of the BMW iFACTORY. The strategic vision of the BMW iFACTORY focusses on sustainability, electrification, digitalisation and profitability. From the first concept of the plant to the present day, the Hams Hall team has made sustainability a key consideration. Since the first full year of production, the plant has made a 61% reduction in energy required per engine built, meaning the overall energy to operate the site has remained level even though there has been a considerable increase in production. The plant purchases 100% of its external electricity from renewable energy sources today. It has also worked to reduce its consumption of natural gas.

SpOTTO robotic dog scans and monitors manufacturing equipment

A four-legged autonomous robot named “SpOTTO” joined the Hams Hall team in 2024. The autonomous robotic dog scans the plant, supports maintenance and ensures production processes run smoothly. Equipped with visual, thermal and acoustic sensors, SpOTTO collects valuable data for the plant’s digital twin. It also serves as a watchdog, monitoring the maintenance of production facilities. SpOTTO was developed by Boston Dynamics under the product name “Spot”, an agile robot capable of climbing stairs and traversing rough terrain with ease. At Hams Hall, “Spot” was fondly renamed SpOTTO, paying tribute to the engine plant’s proud heritage: Gustav Otto, one of the founders of BMW, was the son of Nicolaus Otto, inventor of the four-stroke engine.

Fully connected digital twin: Big data on three levels

At the core of the Hams Hall plant’s digital transformation is the fully connected digital twin, which consists of three levels: On the first level, 3D representations of the entire plant are generated. The second level comprises a large data layer, continuously updated with all relevant information from the SpOTTO robotic dog, the plant’s manufacturing equipment and its IT systems. On the third level – the application level – dedicated programmes organise the collected data into comprehensible units. Using special apps, experts at Plant Hams Hall can leverage this information for tasks such as production planning and quality assurance.

A history of continuous growth

Over the past 25 years, BMW Group Plant Hams Hall has continuously evolved, establishing itself as a key pillar of the company’s production network. Relying on state-of-the-art manufacturing technologies, it provides drive trains for numerous BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce models.

Selected historic milestones:

• 2001: Plant Hams Hall launches series production with new four-cylinder engines, using innovative Valvetronic technology in large-scale manufacturing for the first time.
• 2006: An additional engine family is introduced; Plant Hams Hall produces engines for the MINI brand for the first time.
• 2013: Plant Hams Hall becomes the exclusive manufacturer of the award-winning three-cylinder engine for the iconic BMW i8 plug-in hybrid sports car. The plant also integrates additional production lines for three- and four-cylinder petrol engines. At the same time, the processing hall for crankshafts, crankcases and cylinder heads is expanded.
• 2022: The plant takes over production of V8 and V12 engines. With this step the plant generates even greater business value for the company.
• 2026: Plant Hams Hall celebrates 25 years of production.

The BMW Group’s drive train production network

The BMW Group’s engine production network comprises several plants alongside Hams Hall: Its largest engine facility is in Steyr, Austria, where diesel and petrol engines, as well as sixth-generation electric motors, are developed and produced. The fifth generation of electric motors is produced in Dingolfing. Plant Munich handles mechanical production of V8 and V12 engine components, while Plant Landshut manufactures special engines. The Chinese joint venture BMW Brilliance builds engines for the local market in Shenyang. Collectively, these locations support the BMW Group's technology-open powertrain strategy.

Munich/Heilbronn, 5 February 2026. The BMW Group and PreZero, the international circular economy company that forms parts of the Schwarz Group, are taking an important step towards a future based on circular principles. At the IPAI (Innovation Park Artificial Intelligence) campus in Heilbronn, Germany, the two companies signed a strategic cooperation agreement to substantially advance the circular economy across the European automotive industry. The aim of the collaboration is to develop a business model for the recycling of end-of-life vehicles, creating a closed loop for both materials and recycling.

From end-of-life vehicle to a source of materials

The cooperation between the BMW Group and PreZero seeks to harness the strategic and economic potential of the circular economy for recycling end-of-life vehicles, while simultaneously tackling the automotive industry’s current challenges. Going forward, the goal is to reduce dependence on raw materials and make supply chains more resilient. This is precisely where the joint initiative comes in: Its objective is to develop a viable business model for an innovative materials and recycling loop, systematically using end-of-life vehicles as a strategic source of materials. Initially, a vehicle’s components will be kept in the loop for as long as possible through continued use. As a next step, innovative recycling processes will recover more high-quality recycled materials and raw materials. The new approach is also expected to significantly reduce the need for primary raw materials.

Establishing the circular economy as a business model

The partnership with PreZero is integral to the BMW Group’s corporate and decarbonisation strategy. Ralf Hattler, Senior Vice President Customer Support and Aftersales BMW Group, summarises the importance of the cooperation as follows: "The collaboration with PreZero is another milestone on the road to establishing the circular economy as a genuine business model. For the BMW Group, circularity is already a central element of our corporate strategy and a key driver of CO2 reduction and resource efficiency. Together with PreZero, we are creating the conditions needed to design a vehicle’s entire value chain in a way that keeps materials and components of the highest quality in the loop for as long as possible. Our goal is to significantly reduce the need for primary materials and make supply chains more resilient.”

For PreZero, the cooperation is a logical step towards combining environmental responsibility with economic success.Carsten Dülfer, CEO of PreZero in Germany, underlines the significance for the market: “After acquiring Europe’s largest battery recycling facility last year, we are now taking the next step with the BMW Group towards establishing a functional circular economy in the automotive industry. Together, we are developing scalable solutions that not only meet strict compliance and sustainability requirements but also drive the decarbonisation of the industry across Europe. In this way, we are closing the gap between automotive development and the realities of recycling.”

Foundation for collaboration

The cooperation is rooted in the development of a business model that will ensure comprehensive recycling of end-of-life vehicles. Within the framework of the collaboration, innovative and efficient recycling processes for end-of-life vehicles will be jointly tested and brought to series maturity, while new approaches to material flow management will also be developed.

A core element will be knowledge transfer: From the assembly line to the recycling pipeline, the BMW Group will contribute its “design for recycling” know-how and insights gained from the recycling of end-of-life vehicles at its in-house Recycling and Dismantling Centre (RDC), as well as materials and manufacturing expertise. PreZero will share its expert knowledge of European material flows and sorting technologies. The company will also draw on its extensive expertise as one of Europe’s leading battery recyclers. At the same time, the cooperation will strengthen the resilience and competitiveness of the automotive industry. The aim is to first reuse components and then recycle recoverable materials such as steel, aluminium, plastics and battery raw materials. The cooperation is also fully aligned with the European Union’s circular economy strategy and its efforts to enhance resilience.

Further information:

BMW Group Recycling and Dismantling Centre

If you have any questions, please contact:

BMW Group

Corporate Communications and Governmental Affairs

Isabel Richter

Head of  Sustainability Communications BMW Group

Telephone: +49-151-601-53189

Email: Isabel.Richter@bmwgroup.com

Media website: https://newsroom.bmwgroup.com/global/en

The BMW Group

With its four brands, BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad, the BMW Group is the world’s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles and also provides premium financial services. The BMW Group production network comprises over 30 production sites worldwide; the company has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.

In 2024, the BMW Group sold 2.45 million passenger vehicles and more than 210,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax in the financial year 2024 was € 11.0 billion on revenues amounting to € 142.4 billion. As of 31 December 2024, the BMW Group had a workforce of 159,104 employees.

The economic success of the BMW Group has always been based on long-term thinking and responsible action. Sustainability is a key element of the BMW Group’s corporate strategy and covers all products – from the supply chain through production to the end of their useful life. 

www.bmwgroup.com

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/bmw-group/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/bmwgroup

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bmwgroup

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bmwgroup

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PreZero

PreZero is an international circular economy company with around 30,000 employees at more than 460 locations across ten countries. It is part of the Schwarz Group, which also includes Kaufland and Lidl. The company provides services across the entire circular economy value chain. This includes the collection, sorting, processing and recovery of waste, as well as consulting on disposal, recycling processes and packaging issues. The company’s vision: zero waste and 100-percent recyclable materials.

https://prezero-international.com/

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/prezero-international

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWZ4ro9pkchUI_23PNXinFA

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/prezero_int/

If you have any questions, please contact:

International Marketing & Corporate Affairs

Ralf Maushake

Mobile: +49 173 9706646

PreZero Stiftung & Co. KG

Stiftsbergstraße 1 · 74172 Neckarsulm, Germany · Telephone: +49 (0)7132 30-773 322 · Telefax: +49 (0)7132 94-299 450

Limited partnership · Registered office: Neckarsulm, Germany · District Court of Stuttgart: HRA 734783 · VAT ID: DE319559121

General partner with power of representation: Xi‑Stiftung, based in Dresden, registered with the State Directorate of Saxony, reference no. AZ 20‑2245/591

Munich. The BMW Group once again reduced the CO₂ emissions of its vehicle fleet sold in the European Union (EU27+2: EU, Norway, Iceland) in financial year 2025. Based on preliminary internal calculations, the figure came in at 90.0 grams per kilometre according to WLTP (2024: 99.5 grams per kilometre). This represents a reduction of approximately 9.5% in these emissions compared to 2024.

The applicable fleet target limit for the BMW Group set by the European Union (EU27+2: EU, Norway, Iceland) stood at 92.9 grams in 2025. The company was thus able to outperform this target by 2.9 grams.

“We once again overfulfilled Europe's ambitious CO₂ targets in 2025 – without relying on flexibility mechanisms or pooling. This underlines that our technology-neutral approach and systematic CO₂ reduction are not contradictory but go hand in hand. The decisive factor is the efficiency of all the drive technologies we offer our customers,” said Oliver Zipse, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG.

The continuing electrification of the BMW Group was a key driver in reducing its fleet-wide emissions last year. In 2025, the company delivered more than 316,000 electrified vehicles to customers in the European Union (EU27+2: EU, Norway, Iceland). The share of BMW Group sales represented by electrified vehicles in the European Union (EU27+2: EU, Norway, Iceland) rose to 41.1% last year.

In 2025, the BMW Group sold over 202,000 fully electric vehicles in the European Union (EU27+2: EU, Norway, Iceland). This represented around 26.3% of total sales volume in this region.

This provides a strong starting point for the BMW iX3, the first production model of the Neue Klasse, which will expand the BMW Group’s product line-up from 2026.

The reduction of fleet-wide emissions supports the BMW Group's long-term climate goals. In this way, the BMW Group is pursuing a holistic decarbonisation strategy across the entire lifecycle, with the aim of reaching “net zero” no later than 2050. This represents a firm commitment by the company to the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement. By 2035, it plans to reduce its CO₂e emissions by at least 60 million tonnes compared with 2019 levels.

“Every tonne of CO2 we can avoid counts. That is why we have adopted a holistic development approach to decarbonisation that goes far beyond fleet emissions. We are reducing CO2 across the entire lifecycle of our vehicles – from the supply chain to production and throughout their operation,” explains Joachim Post, member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, Development.

The delivery figures reported in this press release are provisional and may change up until the BMW Group Report 2025 is published. Notes on how delivery figures are prepared can be found in the BMW Group Report 2024 on p. 427.

Munich. On World Education Day, 24 January, the BMW Group and UNICEF announce the successful achievements of their global partnership. In just two years, “BRIDGE. Educating young people for tomorrow, today” has reached around 330,000 children and young people at about 2,900 schools in India, Thailand, Brazil, Mexico and South Africa – all countries where BMW operates production facilities. More than 10,000 teachers have received specialised STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) training.

Educational initiative reaches beyond the classroom

BRIDGE’s educational programmes are country-specific and specially tailored to each region. Today, some 2.7 million children and young people are already benefiting indirectly from the high-quality learning opportunities it provides and from structural improvements to their education systems. The impact of BRIDGE goes far beyond the classroom, extending to families, local communities and entire regions.

Joining forces for a future of self-determination

“Our partnership with UNICEF is impressive evidence of what can happen when two strong partners get together. In an ever more complex world, no one can drive change alone: the only way to create real impact is together. Our collaboration gives children and young people across the globe a genuine chance for education – and with it, the opportunity for a better future. By focusing on STEM subjects, we are specifically fostering essential skills for tomorrow – and building bridges to self-determined development,” says Ilka Horstmeier, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, HR and Real Estate, Labour Director.

Enduring collaborations strengthen social participation.

UNICEF also underscores the power of collaboration: “Young people are the most powerful drivers of success in any society or community. By empowering them, we are making a long-term investment in a sustainable future for all. Our partnership with the BMW Group demonstrates how effective long-term collaborations between UNICEF and businesses can create smoother pathways to employment for young people worldwide, enabling them to participate fully in social and economic life,” says Georg Graf Waldersee, Chairman of the Board of UNICEF Germany.

Bridging gaps in education – Empowering the specialists of tomorrow

STEM expertise is the foundation of technological innovation, economic growth and social progress. Yet in many countries, access to the necessary education remains limited – widening gaps in skills and specialisations. BRIDGE addresses this issue early on by closing educational gaps and equipping children and young people with the knowledge they need to enter the digital working world of tomorrow.

Regional education programmes support disadvantaged children

Developed in close collaboration with the educational authorities of the five countries involved, programme content is tailored to national and regional needs, with specific focus areas for each setting. A key emphasis is placed on supporting disadvantaged children and young people – particularly girls.

In Mexico the focus is on promoting gender-responsive STEM education, with a particular focus on empowering girls in rural and disadvantaged communities.

In Brazil STEM education is combined with life project counselling to help prevent children and young people from dropping out of school and provide online learning options for easier access to education.

In Thailand the programme works to improve the quality of STEM education and ensure individual support opportunities for disadvantaged young people.

In India efforts centre on strengthening basic literacy and numeracy and expanding practice-oriented STEM courses and Maker Spaces.

In South Africa BRIDGE equips disadvantaged schools with technologies and integrates coding and robotics into the curriculum to help prepare children and young people for the digital world of work.

Clear goals, lasting impact

The BMW Group is committed to long-term, impact-focused partnerships with clearly defined goals. From the outset, BRIDGE was designed to span at least seven years, running until 2030. Together with UNICEF, the BMW Group aims to build on the success achieved so far and create lasting educational opportunities for children and young people worldwide.

* UNICEF does not endorse any company, brand, product or service.

If you have any questions, please contact:

BMW Group Corporate Communications

Katharina Schalk, Press Spokesperson for Corporate Citizenship

Email: katharina.schalk@bmwgroup.com

Mobile: +49-151-601-51092

Milena Pighi, Head of Corporate Citizenship

Email: milena.pa.pighi@bmwgroup.com

Mobile: +49-160-978-24316

The BMW Group

With its four brands BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad, the BMW Group is the world’s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles and also provides premium financial services. The BMW Group production network comprises over 30 production sites worldwide; the company has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.

In 2024, the BMW Group sold over 2.45 million passenger vehicles and more than 210,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax in the financial year 2024 was € 11.0 billion on revenues amounting to € 142.4 billion. As of 31 December 2024, the BMW Group had a workforce of 159,104 employees.

The economic success of the BMW Group has always been based on long-term thinking and responsible action. Sustainability is a key element of the BMW Group’s corporate strategy and covers all products from the supply chain and production to the end of their useful life.

www.bmwgroup.com

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/bmw-group/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/bmwgroup

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bmwgroup

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bmwgroup

X: https://www.x.com/bmwgroup

Munich. The BMW Group, together with its partners, has won the globally renowned JEC Composites Innovation Award for series-production exterior components in automobiles. The award was presented at the JEC World Premiere in Paris and recognizes innovations in the development of sustainable materials for the automotive industry.

Innovation and sustainability in automotive engineering.

In June of 2025, the BMW Group first announced the use of natural composites made from flax fibre in the design of series-production vehicles. The award in the "Automotive & Road Transportation Parts" category recognizes BMW Group’s successful integration of these innovative materials. BMW Group’s decision to use natural fibre composites for visible components in series-production vehicles is the most comprehensive application within the industry to date.

Collaboration enables technological breakthrough.

The innovative use of fibre composites is the result of years of research and development work and intensive cooperation with partners Bcomp Ltd., Cobra Advanced Composites Co. Ltd. and PPG Wörwag Coatings GmbH & Co. KG. Together, the consortium succeeded in overcoming a major technical challenge: ensuring the natural fibre composites developed would meet the complex requirements for series production required across the structure of the vehicle, including the high quality needed for the roof panel.

Contribution to CO₂e reduction and lightweight construction.

The use of natural fibres helps to reduce the CO₂e footprint of future vehicle models and has an impact on lightweight construction goals. Material tests show that superior exterior and interior components can be manufactured from these natural fibres.

A concrete example is the use of natural flax fibre composites instead of carbon fibre composites in the roof panels of future models. Replacing carbon roof panel with flax fibre panels can achieve a reduction in CO₂e emissions of around 40% during production plus addition end-of-life considerations.

Collaboration as a success factor.

The development of innovative natural flax fibre composites is the result of successful and intensive collaboration with internal and external partners. Cross-departmental and cross-company cooperation has led to new and innovative solutions in materials and manufacturing processes. Through BMW Group’s use of interdisciplinary expertise, it has been possible to develop forward-looking products and consistently promote sustainability in automotive engineering.

Dr. Herbert Negele, Head of Materials Development and Lightweight Construction, emphasized the importance of BMW Group’s collaborative approach: "At BMW Group, we are committed to thinking and acting responsibly. This premise requires the continuous development of our materials towards sustainability, while continuing to meet the high demands of functionality, lightweight construction and design. The JEC Award confirms our approach and motivates everyone involved in the project to continue along this path.”

Munich/Salching. The new Cell Recycling Competence Center (CRCC) in Salching in Lower Bavaria has now been officially commissioned – marking a major step forward in implementing innovative direct recycling as a joint project between the BMW Group and Encory GmbH. For construction and operation of the new Competence Center, the BMW Group and Encory are relying on regional partners.

Innovative direct recycling enables reuse of battery raw materials

Direct recycling allows residual materials from battery cell production, including complete battery cells, to be mechanically dismantled. The raw materials are not entirely reverted to their original state, but are instead “directly” fed back into the cell production cycle. This direct recycling methodology, developed by experts from the BMW Group, therefore eliminates the conventional, energy-intensive chemical or thermal processing previously required. At the new CRCC, direct recycling will be scaled up and introduced in stages until, once fully operational, the annual volume of battery cell material recycled will be in the mid-double-digit tonne range. Going forward, the recovered raw materials will be directly reused in pilot production of battery cells at the company’s own Cell Manufacturing Competence Center (CMCC) in Parsdorf.

Direct recycling: A process for the future

“Our direct recycling process puts us at the forefront of the industry,” explains Markus Fallböhmer, SVP of Battery Production at BMW AG. “This technology has tremendous potential to further optimise battery cell production.” It is also conceivable that, for the first time, cell manufacturers could be enabled to use direct recycling in series production.

Joint venture runs Competence Center – IP remains with BMW Group

An existing hall in Salching in Lower Bavaria (Straubing-Bogen district) will be used for the new Competence Center. In addition to the production area and warehouse space of around 2,100 m², the building also offers just under 350 m² of offices and break rooms, as well as photovoltaic systems on the roof. While the Competence Center will be built and operated by Encory GmbH, the intellectual property for the recycling method is fully owned by the BMW Group. As a joint venture between the BMW Group and the Interzero Group, Encory will develop and implement logistics and consulting solutions, including for recovery, recycling and reconditioning of vehicle components. Both partners hold a 50-percent stake in the company. The new Competence Center will employ about 20 people.

Strong partners from the region

With the exception of one Swiss company, only German firms were contracted for the construction and operation of the Competence Center. Nearly half of these companies are located within a 100-kilometer radius of Salching.

Optimal location for new Competence Center in Bavaria

The BMW Group consolidates its battery cell expertise at its Competence Centers in Munich, Parsdorf and Salching. The Battery Cell Competence Center (BCCC) in the north of Munich offers state-of-the-art labs and research facilities for developing the battery cells for next-generation high-voltage batteries and producing them in small quantities. The best battery cell from the BCCC will be scaled up for series processes on a pilot line at the Cell Manufacturing Competence Center (CMCC) in Parsdorf. Recycling of surplus material from pilot production in Parsdorf will take place at the new Cell Recycling Competence Center (CRCC) in Salching. The recovered raw materials will then be reused in cell production, ensuring short distances between all Competence Centers and preventing valuable raw materials from being lost. Following on from the BCCC and CMCC, the CRCC thus represents the next step in the BMW Group’s battery cell strategy on the road to the circular economy.

Circular economy at the BMW Group

The BMW Group views the circular economy as one of the key issues in shaping more resource-efficient mobility. Its approach is aimed at finding the best ways to keep materials in the cycle – ensuring that resources are not lost, but retain their value for long-term use. The BMW Group applies the principles of Re:Think, Re:Duce, Re:Use and Re:Cycle. From vehicle design and production, to recycling and reuse, everything is geared towards ensuring that vehicles can serve as a source of raw vehicles at the end of their use phase. The BMW Group is taking steps to increase the percentage of recycled materials. It returns selected production residues to the material supplier or material processor, enabling their recovery and reintroduction into a new manufacturing process. In this way, recycled and reused materials are already making their way into BMW Group vehicles today. The circular economy requires holistic thinking – from product design, all the way through to vehicle recycling. 

Munich, 2 December 2025. The BMW Group has defined a new 2035 milestone for cutting CO₂e emissions on the road to net zero. The company aims to reduce its CO₂e emissions by at least 60 million metric tons compared to 2019 levels, an additional reduction of approximately 20 million tons of CO₂e beyond the existing 2030 target.

In doing so, the BMW Group is pursuing a comprehensive decarbonization strategy along the entire life cycle, with the goal of achieving net zero by 2050 at the latest. This represents a firm commitment to the goals set out in the Paris Agreement. To date, the target has been to cut at least 40 million metric tons of CO₂e across the entire life cycle (scopes 1, 2 and 3) by 2030 compared to 2019 levels. The new 2035 milestone is a logical next step on this road toward advancing decarbonization. At the same time, the climate impact of the BMW Group’s business model will also be drastically reduced. By 2035, each euro generated will see less than half as much CO₂e emitted compared to 2019.

The key measures for achieving these results include the increasing use of renewable energies in production and the supply chain, the increased utilization of secondary raw materials, efficiency improvements in the use phase, as well as product and process innovations. The latter are being implemented across all drive variants as part of the BMW Group’s technology-neutral approach. In addition, an increasing proportion of the vehicle fleet will continue to be electrified.

Decarbonization along the entire life cycle

The BMW Group has intentionally set itself the additional 2035 milestone to consistently advance its decarbonization strategy. Global customer demand for electric vehicles alone will not be sufficient to achieve the CO₂e targets set for 2030 and 2035. The comprehensive approach to reducing CO₂e emissions therefore spans the entire vehicle life cycle, irrespective of the drive variant.

In the supply chain, which is increasingly relevant in terms of CO₂e emissions, especially for electric models, the company focuses on expanding the use of secondary raw materials and renewable energies. The specific priorities are highly CO₂e-emitting components such as high-voltage batteries, aluminum, and steel. In addition, the company will be implementing product and process innovations, such as in the BMW Group’s sixth generation (Gen6) of battery technology.

The BMW Group also applies high standards in production: for example, since 2020, all electricity sourced from external suppliers for all plants worldwide has come exclusively from renewable sources. The BMW Group also works continuously on replacing fossil fuels. The new plant in Debrecen, Hungary, is the BMW Group’s first car factory to produce vehicles without any fossil fuels such as oil and gas in standard operation.

To lower CO₂e emissions during the use phase, the BMW Group is implementing additional efficiency measures such as BMW EfficientDynamics, in addition to electrifying its vehicle fleet. As a result, efficiency potential in all vehicle subsystems, such as the drive system, tires, and aerodynamics, is consistently identified and implemented, regardless of the drive technology. The new BMW iX3, for instance, uses up to 20% less energy (WLTP combined) than its predecessor.

Reaching the new milestone will also depend on a variety of external factors, such as the transformation of the steel industry in favor of more CO₂e-reduced steel, the expansion of the charging infrastructure, progress in the circular economy, and the advancement of battery cell technologies. This is why the BMW Group continues to pursue a number of strategic initiatives, such as the ongoing expansion of in-house expertise in state-of-the-art battery cell centers of excellence and innovative circular economy projects.

Further  information:

Sustainability in the iX3

Battery Competence Center

Recycling and Dismantling Centre 

If you have any questions, please contact:

BMW Group, Presse- und Öffentlichkeitsarbeit

Isabel Richter

Teamlead Sustainability Communication BMW Group

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E-Mail: Isabel.Richter@bmwgroup.com

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E-Mail: presse@bmwgroup.com

The BMW Group

With its four brands BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad, the BMW Group is the world’s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles and also provides premium financial services. The BMW Group production network comprises over 30 production sites worldwide; the company has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.

In 2024, the BMW Group sold over 2.45 million passenger vehicles and more than 210,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax in the financial year 2024 was € 11.0 billion on revenues amounting to € 142.4 billion. As of 31 December 2024, the BMW Group had a workforce of 159,104 employees.

The economic success of the BMW Group has always been based on long-term thinking and responsible action. Sustainability is a key element of the BMW Group’s corporate strategy and covers all products from the supply chain and production to the end of their useful life.

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Munich.  2025 sees the Bavarian capital host the annual One Young World Summit, a top conference of young leaders from across the globe. With delegates from 196 countries, the Summit is one of the few global events to bring young people from all continents together and offer them a platform. It is now being hosted by the City of Munich – for a second time. With its special mix of tradition, innovation and quality of life, Munich is the ideal place to pursue the shared goal of developing innovative and visionary solutions to social challenges.

Ilka Horstmeier, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, responsible for HR and Real Estate, said: “The One Young World Summit 2025 in Munich brings together young leaders from across the globe to inspire and connect. For us at the BMW Group, social responsibility extends far beyond our products and organisation: by supporting One Young World, we foster responsible leadership and encourage young people to take a stand and remain committed to resolving the challenges of the future.”

BMW Group fosters young leaders

A premium partner of One Young World, the BMW Group plays an active role in the event series. It sees itself as an integral part of society and supports the development of solutions to meet global challenges. One aspect of this consists of fostering a generation of future leaders dedicated to achieving a responsible, just and forward-looking society. Since 2016 the BMW Group has had its own delegation of committed young leaders aged between 18 and 30 at the four-day forum, which it sees as an opportunity to contribute to a better future. This year it will once again be staging the closing ceremony at BMW Welt – a symbol of technology, design and emotional experiences.

Driving change together

The One Young World Summit is an invitation to debate social, business and environmental issues, share knowledge and experience, ask critical questions and make lasting connections. The aim is to enable talented and ambitious young people to actively drive change. Delegates come from a variety of backgrounds, from business and science to NGOs. It’s in this diversity and passionate commitment that the BMW Group sees the potential of the international conference.

With a BMW Group delegation of more than 50 people, this year’s event will focus on education, the circular economy, responsible tech, combating hatred, and on peace and security. For even more impetus and different perspectives, a range of influential figures from business, politics, sport and culture will make guest appearances. One of them will be Philipp Lahm, former captain of the German national football team and 2014 football World Champion. He will be talking to Ilka Horstmeier at the opening ceremony of the Summit on 3 November in Munich’s Olympic Hall.

Education is key

In a podium discussion during the four-day conference, Ilka Horstmeier will explore how effective leadership can help restore trust in institutions, science and democracy, and the key role of education in this. Her panellists will be His Excellency Miguel Ángel Moratinos, Under-General-Secretary of the United Nations and High Representative for the United Nations Alliance of Civilisations (UNAOC), and Gabriela de la Torre, responsible for gifted and talented education at the Mexican Ministry of Education and General Director of the Programa Adopted un Talento (Adopt a Talent Programme, PAUTA), which is dedicated to providing extra-curricular activities to support children and young people across Mexico looking to pursue a career in the sciences.

The BMW Group has long been committed to educational initiatives at its various sites, and a million children and young people have already benefited. Its longstanding collaboration with the UNAOC primarily fosters grass-roots initiatives to develop their knowledge of STEM subjects (sciences, technology, engineering and mathematics), which are important foundations to careers in exactly the areas that enable participation in global growth.

In addition, the BMW Group will invite delegates at the conference to join an interactive workshop on the circular economy. Participants will learn more about how the principles of circularity can be integrated into business ideas to help save resources and CO₂ emissions.

If you have any questions, please contact:

BMW Group Corporate Communications

Dr Hans-Peter Ketterl
Spokesperson for HR and for the Member of the Board of Management for HR and Real Estate
Tel: +49-89-382-23923
Email: Hans-Peter.Ketterl@bmwgroup.com

Bernd Eckstein
Head of Communications for HR, Real Estate, Culture, Corporate Citizenship
Tel: +49-89-382-59490
Email: Bernd.Eckstein@bmwgroup.com

The BMW Group

With its four brands BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad, the BMW Group is the world’s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles and also provides premium financial services. The BMW Group production network comprises over 30 production sites worldwide; the company has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.

In 2024, the BMW Group sold over 2.45 million passenger vehicles and more than 210,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax in the financial year 2024 was € 11.0 billion on revenues amounting to € 142.4 billion. As of 31 December 2024, the BMW Group had a workforce of 159,104 employees.

The economic success of the BMW Group has always been based on long-term thinking and responsible action. Sustainability is a key element of the BMW Group’s corporate strategy and covers all products from the supply chain and production to the end of their useful life.

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München.  Die Landeshauptstadt München ist 2025 Gastgeber eines der weltweit bedeutendsten Treffen junger Führungskräfte: Dem One Young World Summit. Mit Delegierten aus 196 Ländern zählt die Veranstaltung zu einem der wenigen globalen Ereignisse, das junge Menschen aus allen Kontinenten vereint und ihnen eine Stimme gibt. Die Stadt München, geprägt von einer besonderen Mischung aus Tradition, Innovation und Lebensqualität, ist bereits zum zweiten Mal Gastgeber des Forums und bietet das passende Umfeld für das gemeinsame Ziel, innovative und visionäre Ideen für gesellschaftliche Herausforderungen zu entwickeln.

Ilka Horstmeier, Mitglied des Vorstands der BMW AG, Personal und Immobilien: „Der One Young World Summit 2025 in München bringt junge Führungstalente aus aller Welt zusammen, inspiriert und schafft neue Verbindungen. Bei der BMW Group geht gesellschaftliche Verantwortung weit über unsere Produkte und Unternehmensgrenzen hinaus. Mit unserem Beitrag für die One Young World stärken wir verantwortungsvolle Führung und ermuntern junge Menschen, Haltung zu zeigen und sich für die Lösung wichtiger Zukunftsfragen einzusetzen.“

BMW Group fördert junge Führungskräfte

Die BMW Group nimmt als Premium Partner eine aktive Rolle bei One Young World ein. Das Unternehmen versteht sich als Teil der Gesellschaft und trägt dazu bei, Lösungen für globale Herausforderungen zu finden. Dazu gehört, eine Generation von zukünftigen Führungskräften zu fördern, die sich für eine verantwortungsvolle, gerechte und zukunftsorientierte Gesellschaft einsetzen. Seit 2016 nimmt die BMW Group mit einer eigenen Delegation von engagierten Young Leaders im Alter zwischen 18 und 30 Jahren an dem viertägigen Forum teil. Das Unternehmen sieht das Forum als Chance, einen Beitrag zu einer besseren Zukunft zu leisten. In diesem Jahr richtet die BMW Group erneut die Abschlusszeremonie in der BMW Welt aus, einem Ort, der für Technik, Design und emotionale Erlebnisse steht.

Gemeinsam Veränderungen vorantreiben

Der Summit lädt dazu ein, gesellschaftliche, wirtschaftliche und ökologische Themen zu diskutieren, Wissen und Erfahrungen zu teilen, kritische Fragen zu stellen und dauerhafte Netzwerke zu knüpfen. Die Idee ist, junge, ambitionierte Talente zu befähigen, aktiv Veränderungen voranzutreiben. In der Vielfalt der Teilnehmenden, die aus Wirtschaft, Wissenschaft und von NGOs kommen, und deren leidenschaftlichen Engagement liegt für die BMW Group das Potenzial dieser internationalen Zusammenkunft.

Im Fokus stehen beim diesjährigen Summit, an dem die BMW Group mit über 50 Delegierten teilnimmt, die Themen Bildung, Kreislaufwirtschaft, verantwortungsvolle Technologien, Hassbekämpfung sowie Frieden und Sicherheit. Für noch mehr Impulse und vielseitige Perspektiven sind einflussreiche Persönlichkeiten aus Wirtschaft, Politik, Sport und Kultur zu Gast, darunter auch der einstige Kapitän der deutschen Fußball-Nationalmannschaft sowie Fußball-Weltmeister 2014 Philipp Lahm. Er ist Gesprächspartner von
Ilka Horstmeier bei der Eröffnungszeremonie des Summits in der Olympiahalle am 3. November.

Bildung ist der Schlüssel

In einer Podiumsdiskussion während der vier Kongresstage wird sich Ilka Horstmeier der Frage widmen, wie verantwortungsvolles Leadership dazu beitragen kann, Vertrauen in Institutionen, Wissenschaft und Demokratie wieder zu stärken und welche Schlüsselrolle Bildung dabei spielt. Ihre Gesprächspartner sind seine Exzellenz Miguel Ángel Moratinos, Untergeneralsekretär der Vereinten Nationen und Hoher Repräsentant für die Allianz der Zivilisationen der Vereinten Nationen (UNAOC) sowie Gabriela de la Torre, verantwortlich für Begabtenförderung im mexikanischen Bildungsministerium und Generaldirektorin des Programms „Adopt a Talent“ (Programa Adopte un Talento, PAUTA), das die wissenschaftliche Karriere von Kindern und Jugendlichen in ganz Mexiko durch außerschulische Aktivitäten fördert.

Die BMW Group engagiert sich seit vielen Jahren bei Bildungsinitiativen an ihren Standorten, eine Million Kinder haben bereits davon profitiert. In einer langjährigen Kooperation mit den Vereinten Nationen (UNAOC) werden vor allem Graswurzel-Initiativen gefördert, die Kindern Kenntnisse unter anderem in den MINT-Fächern Mathematik, Informatik, Naturwissenschaften und Technik vermitteln. Es sind wichtige Grundlagen für Berufe in genau jenen Bereichen, die eine Teilhabe am globalen Wirtschaftswachstum ermöglichen.

Darüber hinaus lädt die BMW Group bei dem Summit die Delegierten zu einem interaktiven Workshop ein, der sich mit der Kreislaufwirtschaft beschäftigt. Teilnehmende erfahren, wie sich zirkuläre Prinzipien in Geschäftsideen integrieren lassen und wie auf diese Weise Ressourcen geschont und
CO₂-Emissionen reduziert werden.

Bitte wenden Sie sich bei Rückfragen an:

BMW Group Unternehmenskommunikation

Dr. Hans-Peter Ketterl
Sprecher Personal und Vorstandsmitglied Personal und Immobilien
Tel: +49-89-382-23923
Email: Hans-Peter.Ketterl@bmwgroup.com

Bernd Eckstein
Leiter Kommunikation HR, Immobilien, Kultur, Corporate Citizenship
Telefon: +49-89-382-59490
Email: Bernd.Eckstein@bmwgroup.com

Die BMW Group

Die BMW Group ist mit ihren Marken BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce und BMW Motorrad der weltweit führende Premium-Hersteller von Automobilen und Motorrädern und Anbieter von Premium-Finanzdienstleistungen. Das BMW Group Produktionsnetzwerk umfasst über 30 Produktionsstandorte weltweit; das Unternehmen verfügt über ein globales Vertriebsnetzwerk mit Vertretungen in über 140 Ländern.

Im Jahr 2024 erzielte die BMW Group einen weltweiten Absatz von 2,45 Mio. Automobilen und über 210.000 Motorrädern. Das Ergebnis vor Steuern im Geschäftsjahr 2024 belief sich auf 11,0 Mrd. €, der Umsatz auf 142,4 Mrd. €. Zum 31. Dezember 2024 beschäftigte das Unternehmen weltweit 159.104Mitarbeiterinnen und Mitarbeiter.

Seit jeher sind langfristiges Denken und verantwortungsvolles Handeln die Grundlage des wirtschaftlichen Erfolges der BMW Group. Nachhaltigkeit ist ein wichtiger Bestandteil der Unternehmensstrategie der BMW Group, von der Lieferkette über die Produktion bis zum Ende der Nutzungsphase aller Produkte. 

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Munich/Parsdorf. With the publication of its Environmental Impact Statement 2024, all BMW Group operations in Parsdorf are now part of the European environmental register, EMAS. In addition to the BMW Group Cell Manufacturing Competence Centre (CMCC) and test-parts logistics, the pilot plant for high-voltage batteries in Parsdorf has been included in the environmental impact statement and EMAS registration for the first time. EMAS stands for the “Eco-Management and Audit Scheme”, which claims to be the most stringent environmental management system in the world. “We are very pleased with the EMAS registration of all our operations in Parsdorf, which underlines that our processes operate at a very high level – both economically and environmentally,” says Hansjörg Schilp, director of the CMCC and pilot plant for high-voltage batteries in Parsdorf. “The entire team has done an outstanding job.”

EMAS: Strict requirements and high environmental standards

To be listed in the EMAS Register, companies must fulfil strict requirements and adhere to rigorous environmental standards. EMAS is a globally recognised framework that enables organisations to manage and continuously improve their environmental impact. A key element of the EMAS environmental management system is the international environmental management standard ISO 14001. EMAS also focuses on measurable improvements, transparency and legal certainty. Auditing aims to support companies in continuously improving their environmental performance – for example, by using energy and material more efficiently and reducing emissions, wastewater and waste from their sites. Beyond these direct environmental impacts, EMAS also addresses and evaluates indirect aspects, including the sustainability of products, procurement and supply chains, contractor practices and the environmental impact of employees commuting to work. (Source: https://www.umweltbundesamt.de/themen/wirtschaft-konsum/wirtschaft-umwelt/umwelt-energiemanagement/emas-umweltmanagement-guetesiegel-der-europaeischen#systematisches-umweltmanagement-mit-emas)

Efficient operations and concepts for the circular economy

The validated environmental impact statement and the resulting inclusion in the EMAS Register by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IHK) for Munich and Upper Bavaria underscore the rigorous environmental standards upheld by the BMW Group in Parsdorf. Battery cell production at the CMCC, one of the three Parsdorf facilities, is powered entirely by electricity from 100% renewable energy sources. Hot water for process ventilation is generated using waste heat recovered from various primary processes, and all three Parsdorf facilities utilise heat pumps in their operations. “On our pilot lines for battery cells and high-voltage batteries, we are focusing on reducing the use of critical raw materials and energy, avoiding solvents and developing innovative circular economy approaches,” explains Schilp. Raw materials represent a significant cost factor for battery cells and high-voltage batteries. Efficient and responsible use of these resources is therefore necessary and also makes economic sense. The BMW Group is gaining valuable insights in this area in Parsdorf. Residual materials from the production process are collected and, wherever technically feasible, reintegrated into the value-creation cycle at the BMW Group’s Competence Centres through direct recycling. This innovative procedure enables residual materials from battery cell production, as well as whole battery cells, to be mechanically dismantled into their components.

Transparent reporting: Environmental impact statement now online

The environmental impact statement for the BMW Group’s Parsdorf  operations (CMCC, pilot plant for high-voltage batteries and test-parts logistics) has been independently reviewed by TÜV SÜD Umweltgutachter GmbH and is now available online at: www.bmwgroup-werke.com/produktionskompetenz/de.html

How the cell is created: Production steps for sample manufacturing at the CMCC

Cell manufacturing at the CMCC in Parsdorf begins with electrode production: Here, the base material, comprising, for example, graphite for the anode and nickel oxides for the cathode, with binders and solvents, is metered and mixed in a precisely measured ratio. This creates the so-called “slurry” – which means wafer-thin metal foils are coated and then compressed after drying. In technical jargon, this is referred to as “calendering”. The highest level of precision is required: The foil is just a few micrometres thick – in other words, thinner than the threads of a spider web – while the coating is in the micrometre range. During cell assembly, the coated foils, referred to in the jargon as calendered electrodes, are coiled into so-called “jelly rolls” using the separator and inserted into the cell housing. The cells are filled with electrolyte, then charged for the first time and finally checked for functionality and quality.

Parsdorf pioneers: How the BMW Group builds Gen6 high-voltage batteries

Parsdorf is also home to the BMW Group’s largest pilot plant for Gen6 high-voltage batteries, where production processes are developed and tested before large-scale production begins at the series plants in Debrecen (Hungary), Irlbach-Straßkirchen (Lower Bavaria), Shenyang (China), San Luis Potosí (Mexico) and Woodruff (USA). More than 350 employees have been building initial high-voltage battery prototypes here since 2023. In the meantime, these batteries have also been delivered to the vehicle plant in Debrecen, Hungary, where they were installed in test vehicles for the Neue Klasse. For series production, the BMW Group sources battery cells for its high-voltage batteries from leading cell manufacturers, who produce the cells to the company's specifications. The highest technical standards apply. Upon receipt of goods, additional measurements – such as voltage checks – are carried out. Next comes cell clustering, where the battery cells are connected to coolers. This step ensures optimal insulation and cooling of the cells. The cell clusters and cell contact system are then laser-cleaned and welded with pinpoint precision. The in-line inspection continuously monitors each weld seam in real time. An innovative foaming process follows, ensuring that all elements are protected as a mechanical unit. The foam thus guarantees the safety, stability and durability of the high-voltage battery. The housing is then closed, sealed and riveted. In the final assembly step, the Energy Master – the central control unit – is installed onto the high-voltage battery. A permanently elastic sealing adhesive is applied to ensure a reliable seal. Finally, each high-voltage battery undergoes a 100% end-of-line inspection to ensure quality, safety and function.

• Partnership focuses on young people aged 14-29, promoting STEM education and life project development
• More than 30,000 young Brazilians across three states will benefit from the initiative

São Paulo – Today, the BMW Group and UNICEF announced their partnership under the slogan entitled “BRIDGE. Educating young people for tomorrow, today” in Brazil. The programme, which will be rolled out across the States of Amazonas, Maranhão and São Paulo, aims to reach 3,000 students through in-person workshops and more than 30,000 young people through the digital platform 1MiO (One Million Opportunities). Committed to social development and the future of new generations, the BMW Group established a global partnership with UNICEF back in 2023.

In Brazil, the initiative focuses on empowering vulnerable youth aged 14 to 29 through in-person workshops and online training centred on STEAM education (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics), as well as life project planning.

Developing life projects is a technique that helps adolescents prepare for adult life. Young people define their personal and professional goals, considering their strengths, weaknesses, experiences and opportunities within their environment. To support this process, teachers, school administrators and members of the state education system will also be involved and trained in life project development and ways to integrate STEAM competencies and opportunities.

As a result, students and teachers will develop the competencies needed to create projects using essential STEAM-related skills, such as problem-solving and critical analysis.

Through the 1MiO ecosystem, young people will gain access to employment and income opportunities across the public and private sectors. The initiative also seeks to provide apprenticeships, internships and job placements, enabling youth to benefit directly from the BRIDGE programme. “We believe that quality education is the foundation for a fairer, more multifaceted and sustainable future. This partnership with UNICEF reflects our commitment to go beyond premium mobility and bridge the gap between schooling and working life, giving vulnerable youth access to more opportunities in the near future,” says Maru Escobedo, President & CEO of BMW Group Brazil.

“UNICEF works in Brazil to strengthen the right of every child and adolescent to a quality education that translates into opportunities. We recognize that the full development of girls and boys necessarily includes providing curricula rich in pedagogical experiences involving Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM). The global partnership between UNICEF and the BMW Group, now extending to Brazil, demonstrates the importance of different sectors of society uniting to support the present and future of those who represent the great potential for transformation in our country, leaving no one behind,” said Joaquin Gonzalez-Aleman, UNICEF Representative in Brazil.

About “BRIDGE. Educating young people for tomorrow, today”

The global partnership between the BMW Group and UNICEF is a long-term collaboration announced in 2023 to help equip young people with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in the future world of work. It contributes to UNICEF’s global aim of reaching children and young people each year through education. With an initial seven-year commitment, the BMW Group’s long-term support will help provide more opportunities for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) education and skills development for children and young people in Brazil, South Africa, India, Mexico and Thailand. 

Further BMW Group initiatives: Plant Araquari plays important role in social commitment in Brazil

In addition to the UNICEF partnership in the States of Maranhão, Amazonas and São Paulo, the BMW Group also supports the State of Santa Catarina, where Plant Araquari has been operating since 2014. The company is committed to innovation and sustainability, playing a key role in this journey by endorsing social initiatives in Santa Catarina, especially through the BMW Group Brazil Social Centre, located at Plant Araquari. For the past ten years, the Centre has promoted education and opportunities for the local community.

BMW Group Plant Manaus opens facility to welcome students

BMW Group Plant Manaus welcomes visits from citizens through the Open Doors Free Trade Zone programme, a partnership between the BMW Group and Suframa (Superintendence of the Manaus Free Trade Zone). Public and private institutions, agencies and other interested parties can register and request a visit to the facility.

During the visit, participants have the opportunity to take a guided tour of the plant and learn about the motorcycle production process. In the future, BMW Group Plant Manaus also plans to expand its activities to include social initiatives in the State of Amazonas.

* UNICEF does not endorse any company, brand, product or service.

For more information about BMW Group Brazil, click here.

Contact information:

BMW Group Brazil:
Fabiano Severo
Head of Corporate Communications BMW Group Brazil
Email: fabiano.severo@bmw.com.br

About UNICEF

UNICEF, the United Nations agency for children, works to protect the rights of every child, everywhere, especially the most disadvantaged children and in the toughest places to reach. Across more than 190 countries and territories, we do whatever it takes to help children survive, thrive, and fulfil their potential.

About One Million Opportunities (1MiO)

1MiO is an initiative led by UNICEF, in partnership with governments, private companies, civil society organizations, and UN agencies. The initiative aims to provide young people and adolescents aged 14 to 29, in situations of vulnerability, with access to quality education opportunities, digital skills, internet connectivity, civic participation, vocational training, and employability, through apprenticeship, internship, and job programs.

Debrecen. With an impressive ceremony that artistically combined Hungarian culture and modern automotive production, Oliver Zipse, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG, today officially opened the BMW Group plant in Debrecen. The BMW Group’s newest and most innovative production site marks the beginning of a new era for the company. In late October, the new BMW iX3 will enter series production in the Hungarian university town of Debrecen as the first vehicle of the Neue Klasse. Plant Debrecen was planned virtually and realised in practice fully in line with the principles of the BMW iFACTORY, becoming the first BMW Group car plant to rely entirely on electricity from renewable energy during normal operation.

In addition to Oliver Zipse, high-ranking representatives from Hungarian politics, such as Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and the Mayor of Debrecen, László Papp, as well as Milan Nedeljković, Member of the Board of Management for Production, Ilka Horstmeier, Member of the Board of Management for Human Resources and Real Estate, and Hans-Peter Kemser, President and CEO BMW Manufacturing Hungary Kft., attended the grand opening.

“In our global production network, our new plant in Debrecen is a pioneer: It is our first fully-electric plant, the first production site to operate entirely without fossil fuels – and the first to build vehicles for the Neue Klasse. This makes our plant in Debrecen a decisive factor in the BMW Group's future success,” said Oliver Zipse. “The opening also sends a strong signal: We are expanding our footprint on our home continent and reaffirming our commitment to Europe as a strong and competitive location for industry.”

Hans-Peter Kemser added at the ceremony: “This is not only a new BMW Group plant – it is a cornerstone of progress. We are a partner to culture, to education and to the University of Debrecen, where together we foster the talents that will shape the future. And above all, it is a community – deeply embedded in the life of Debrecen and Hungary.”

Strengthening the industrial base and expanding training

The official opening ceremony began with a look back at the plant’s construction, following a 2018 decision that launched one of Hungary’s largest greenfield investments. The BMW Group’s first Central European location has firmly placed Debrecen on the region's automotive map, creating more than 2,000 direct jobs – and many more along the supply chain, at regional suppliers and service providers that have recently established themselves in Debrecen, alongside national and international companies. The new plant has also strengthened the industrial park and driven additional investment in transport and infrastructure.

At the same time, through collaborations with institutions such as the local university and the Vocational Training Centre of Debrecen, DSZC, Plant Debrecen has also become one of the largest training hubs for dual education programmes in Hungary.

Only the best of the best for Debrecen

Plant Debrecen is the first BMW Group production site not tied to a specific primary plant. Instead, it serves as a network plant, combining best practices from different locations worldwide. For example, the press shop is modelled on the systems used in Spartanburg (USA) and Swindon (Great Britain), with their know-how and technologies further refined for Debrecen. In the body shop, the positioning of nearly 1,000 industrial robots, along with their processes, was digitally simulated in detail beforehand. The number of joining methods was also significantly reduced, with further streamlining allowing design features for the Neue Klasse to be integrated early in development.

Paint shop key to largest reduction in CO₂e emissions

At BMW Group Plant Debrecen, the paint shop plays a critical role in significantly reducing the BMW iX3’s CO₂e footprint. Production of the new BMW iX3 will generate a total of about 80kg CO₂e (scope 1/2 emissions). This figure covers CO₂e emissions from Plant Debrecen, as well as in-house parts production at other BMW Group facilities, including components manufactured in Landshut, for example. This represents a reduction of approx. two-thirds compared to production of existing BMW derivatives. For Plant Debrecen alone, this approach will reduce CO₂e emissions from the manufacture of a vehicle, including its high-voltage battery, by around 90% – to about 34 kg CO₂e (when operating at full capacity, compared with other BMW Group facilities).

About a quarter of the plant's annual power needs will be supplied by the 50‑hectare on-site photovoltaic system, one of the largest in Hungary. Surplus solar energy, such as that generated on non-working days, is stored in a 1,800 m³ thermal storage system with a capacity of 130 MWh.

Digitalised assembly processes and smart “finger structure”

Complete digitalisation of production processes further boosts assembly efficiency – for example, sensors and camera systems along the production line are used to automate quality processes. AI evaluates the data and provides real-time feedback to employees on the assembly line. The building's “finger structure” – an optimised version of BMW Group Plant Leipzig – allows 80% of parts to be delivered directly to the correct point of assembly on the line. In-house logistics are fully electric.

High-voltage battery assembly in line with “local for local” principle

High-voltage batteries are assembled directly on site, allowing for short distances in line with the “local for local” principle. Plant Debrecen will be the first of five plants worldwide to begin series production of Gen6 high-voltage batteries at this location. Seamless in-line quality inspections and 100% end‑of‑line monitoring enable a consistent zero-defect approach.

Final photo with employees and two BMW iX3s

The opening ceremony concluded with a music and dance performance celebrating Hungarian culture and traditions, which the BMW Group also supports through local events and organisations. To wrap up, numerous employees joined Viktor Orbán and Oliver Zipse on stage, alongside two new BMW iX3s.

Debrecen. The BMW Group has entered the final phase before the first Neue Klasse model rolls off the assembly line. Series production of the new BMW iX3 will get underway in late October at the BMW Group plant in Debrecen, Hungary, as the newest, most innovative manufacturing facility in the company’s global production network officially begins work.

“The start of series production for the BMW iX3 signals a new era of automotive manufacturing. Our new plant in Debrecen has been designed and built fully in line with our strategic vision of the iFACTORY. Digital from the very beginning, the plant will offer a new dimension in efficient production without fossil fuels,” says Milan Nedeljković, member of the Board of Management of BMW AG responsible for Production.

The BMW iFACTORY represents a strategic vision of production, built on streamlined, efficient structures, responsible resource management, economical use of cutting-edge digital innovations and a strong focus on employees. The BMW Group has also registered new patents for a large number of innovative systems and processes at Plant Debrecen.

“We have taken on the challenge of building a completely new vehicle as the first job at an entirely new plant – and doing so in the leanest, most efficient way possible. We have simplified processes, reduced complexity, digitally validated each individual operation and systematically leveraged expertise across our global network. The result is this plant, with its efficient production, innovative processes and the flexibility to integrate additional models,” says Hans-Peter Kemser, head of BMW Group Plant Debrecen.

As with any new model, capacity for the new BMW iX3 will be gradually ramped up in stages after the start of production. Spearheading the arrival of the Neue Klasse, the iX3 showcases the latest design and technology innovations that will define the brand's entire model range in the future. Between now and 2027, the technologies in the Neue Klasse will be integrated into 40 new models and model updates.

From virtual factory to reality

The guiding principles of the BMW iFACTORY have been fully implemented in the technologies employed at the new BMW Group plant in Debrecen. For example, Plant Debrecen was planned and built digitally from the outset, and celebrated its virtual start of production back in March 2023 in the BMW Group’s Virtual Factory. This approach allowed every operation to be tested virtually in advance, enabling production lines to be installed in the buildings exactly as in the digital twin.

Optimal processes for all plant technologies

With an optimised value stream and efficient systems, the press shop guarantees a high level of productivity. The BMW Group continues to follow its proven strategy of using the same tools and presses throughout its global network. This optimises capacity utilisation within the network by allowing press tools to be deployed at multiple locations and enabling staff to be trained in-network.

The body shop, in particular, benefits from prior digital planning and validation. Every process detail was digitally simulated in advance to determine the ideal value stream and ensure that each of the nearly 1,000 robots was optimally positioned. From the outset, close collaboration between development and production teams led to high production efficiency and maximum customer benefit. For example, the number of joining methods was significantly reduced, lowering overall complexity. Design features integrated early in development are also evident in the details of the Neue Klasse, such as the invisible door seal. This creates a visual connection between the window and the door, resulting in a unique look. In addition, maximising the space available for the battery in the body structure – and thus the size and performance of the battery – directly benefits the customer.

At BMW Group Plant Debrecen, the paint shop plays a critical role in significantly reducing the CO₂e footprint of the BMW iX3. Production of the new BMW iX3 will generate a total of about 80 kg CO₂e (scope 1/2 emissions). This figure covers CO₂e emissions from Plant Debrecen, as well as in-house parts production at other BMW Group facilities, including components manufactured in Landshut, for example. This represents a reduction of approx. two-thirds compared to production of existing BMW derivatives. For Plant Debrecen alone, this approach will reduce CO₂e emissions from the manufacture of a vehicle, including its high-voltage battery, by around 90% – to about 34 kg CO₂e (when operating at full capacity, compared with other BMW Group facilities).

Paint shops typically rely on gas to reach the high temperatures (up to 180 degrees Celsius) required. Plant Debrecen will be the BMW Group's first car plant supplied exclusively with electricity from renewable energy sources during normal operation, i.e. without using fossil fuels such as oil or gas. Because of its high energy demands, the paint shop is the most important factor in significantly lowering Plant Debrecen’s CO₂e emissions. In the paint shop alone, using electricity from renewable sources reduces annual CO₂e emissions by up to 12,000 tonnes. About a quarter of the plant's annual power needs will be supplied by the 50‑hectare on-site photovoltaic system. Surplus solar energy, such as that generated on non‑working days, is stored in a 1,800 m³ thermal storage system with a capacity of 130 MWh.

The paint shop also uses an energy recovery system. A heat grid was successfully implemented in the design of the new paint shop, delivering additional energy savings of up to 10%. This innovative concept combines multiple measures for efficient energy recovery from the compressed air supply, drying ovens and cooling systems. The recovered waste heat is then used to preheat the water circuit.

In addition, a thermal storage system – holding 1,800 m³ of water, with a capacity of 130 MWh – stores surplus energy from the photovoltaic system during off-peak periods and supplies it as heat during peak demand.

Full digitalisation of production processes further boosts assembly efficiency. The AIQX (Artificial Intelligence Quality Next) IT platform developed in-house at the BMW Group is a key component of the BMW iFACTORY. AIQX uses sensors and camera systems along the production line to automate quality processes. AI evaluates the data and provides real-time feedback to employees on the line. Looking ahead, vehicles on the line will also become active, connected participants in the industrial IoT (Internet of Things) ecosystem. They will conduct self-analysis, interact with plant employees in real time and automatically share and document relevant messages, using tools such as on-board cameras and IT systems. The equipment, tools, components and every BMW in the assembly halls are already digitally connected to the BMW production system.

The building's “finger structure” – an optimised version of the design employed at BMW Group Plant Leipzig – allows 80% of parts to be delivered directly to the correct point of assembly on the line. All-electric in-house logistics also benefit from autonomous tugger trains, which transport high-voltage batteries directly from production to installation points, as well as Smart Transport Robots that autonomously deliver smaller components to the assembly line. By linking all internal and external databases, the entire logistics process achieves unprecedented digital depth, automating many previously manual, interconnected analysis tasks. Well-structured information is therefore available at any time and can be analysed instantly “at the push of a button”.

The BMW Group has created highly intelligent production processes for its new high-voltage batteries developed in-house. Plant Debrecen will be the first of five plants worldwide to begin series production of Gen6 high-voltage batteries. The production processes were initially developed and tested at pilot plants. Artificial intelligence, data analytics and constant knowledge sharing within the production network also play a key role in the ramp-up of production. Digital twins of production and comprehensive AI databases ensure optimisation of processes and employee training. A consistent zero-defect approach enables seamless in-line quality inspections and 100% end‑of-line monitoring. In line keeping with the “local for local” principle, high‑voltage battery assembly takes place directly on site, allowing the production teams to take advantage of infrastructure efficiencies and short distances.

Best of the best:
Plant Debrecen benefits from expertise at all production sites worldwide

BMW Group Plant Debrecen is the first production site in the company's network not tied to a specific primary plant. Instead, it serves as a network plant, combining best practices from various locations worldwide. A major advantage of this approach is that the plant’s current workforce of more than 2,000 employees can be trained within the network, allowing employee know-how from different locations, such as China, South Africa, Mexico, the US and, of course, Germany, to be shared. At the same time, employees throughout the global network gain the opportunity to share their technology insights in Debrecen and bring expertise in production of the Neue Klasse models back to their own location – creating a win-win situation for all the plants.

A long version with further details on all technologies is available as a PDF file in the downloads section.

Munich. Giuseppe Cassataro, Samory Gassama, Grit Grassberger and Khaled Kombas are inspiring role models: They are the winners of this year’s BMW Group Award for Social Responsibility. The award ceremony took place at the BMW Welt Double Cone in Munich on 15 September. For the 14^th time, the award recognised employees’ outstanding social commitment. Each winner will receive prize money of 10,000 euros to support their project.

“Keeping our eyes open to the world and having the courage to drive change – that is exactly what our award-winners embody. They show us all how to create rays of hope and nurture a meaningful social community. With passion and dedication, they bring about lasting improvements in people's lives. There can never be enough of this kind of commitment in the world,” said Ilka Horstmeier, member of the Board of Management of BMW AG responsible for People and Real Estate, who is also the patron of the award.

Good deeds make a difference
Every year, employees from around the world apply for this award, which is highly respected across the company. This year, ten candidates with a particularly impressive level of commitment were nominated for the final round. Many of the nominees have launched their own social projects and dedicated countless hours of their free time to supporting disadvantaged individuals. One of the finalists described their motivation: “Friendliness is not a one-time act – it’s a rhythm. When this rhythm is shared, it creates something bigger than ourselves.”

All finalists attended the award ceremony and received 2,500 euros in prize money each, directly supporting their projects.

Here are the 2025 recipients:
Khaled Kombas is a Smart Access project manager in Munich, who champions the rights of people with disabilities in his home country of Tunisia through the initiative he founded, “TunisAid – Aid for Tunisians with Disabilities”. The organisation helps create a better future for people with disabilities by providing in-home care, workshop apprenticeships, expanding schools and offering financial support. His dedication inspired many colleagues, who chose Khaled Kombas as the winner of the employee vote in 2025.

Samory Gassama, a Change Management engineer in Munich, is the recipient of the Vera-und-Volker-Doppelfeld Award, which encourages social commitment among young people. Together with a friend, he founded the association “Ihsanprojects – Initiative for Gesundheit und Bildung e.V.”, advocating for access to medical care, clean water and education, primarily in Senegal. One project, in particular, stands out: Thanks to an innovative digital solution, people in regions without local medical care can receive a medical consultation via video chat.

Giuseppe Cassataro, who works in Insurance and Damage Management for Alphabet Italia in Milan, Italy, has dedicated his life to supporting people with multiple sclerosis (MS). As an active member of the initiative “Associazione Italiana Sclerosi Multipla” (AISM) for 25 years, he focuses on organising drivers to bring people with MS to work, medical appointments or government offices. This initiative helps individuals confined to a wheelchair maintain their mobility.

Grit Grassberger works in MINI Lifestyle Product Management in Munich. Through the association “JUNITI e.V.”, which she co-founded with a friend after a trip to Sri Lanka, she aims to improve educational opportunities for children in the country. By partnering with local organisations, the association funds hot school lunches for children from socially disadvantaged families, often a key factor in ensuring regular school attendance. A special programme also focuses on empowering young women, in particular, to successfully start their own businesses.

SOCIAL DRIVE means employees’ social commitment
With its multinational workforce, the BMW Group is more than just a car manufacturer. Together with our employees, we are an integral part of global society, helping find solutions to many future issues and challenges. Through innovation and volunteering, BMW Group associates drive positive change worldwide. These activities are bundled in the SOCIAL DRIVE initiative: Alongside the BMW Group Award, the SOCIAL DRIVE platform allows volunteers to showcase their projects and connect with one another.It shines a light on social commitment and inspires others to get involved.

Johannesburg. Following the successful BMW Art Generation Vol. III experience at NIROX on 30 August, BMW Group South Africa is proud to serve as the Official Vehicle Partner of FNB Art Joburg, taking place from 4–7 September 2025. This partnership underscores BMW’s enduring commitment to the global arts landscape, building on five decades of the iconic BMW Art Car series and cultural initiatives.

Celebrating 50 Years of BMW Art Cars

Since its inception in 1975, the BMW Art Car Collection has featured works from some of the world’s most acclaimed artists, including Frank Stella, Roy Lichtenstein, Andy Warhol, Robert Rauschenberg, Esther Mahlangu, David Hockney, Jenny Holzer, and Ólafur Elíasson.

In 1991, Esther Mahlangu became the first African artist, and the first woman, to design a BMW Art Car, a historic moment that merged African heritage with contemporary automotive design. Her contribution remains a living tribute to her cultural legacy and BMW’s global vision for innovation through art.

This milestone also coincides with the 50th anniversary of the BMW 3 Series, further highlighting BMW’s tradition of design, craftsmanship, and cultural expression.

Immersive Experience at FNB Art Joburg

BMW’s booth at the Sandton Convention Centre will transform into an immersive storytelling hub, celebrating five decades of the BMW Art Cars. Johannesburg takes its place on the global stage as part of the ever-expanding BMW Art Car World Tour, a journey that will span continents and continue well into 2026. Marking the 50th anniversary of this iconic series, the tour brings together a constellation of exhibitions across five continents, enriched by a vibrant array of events.

At the centre of the installation in Johannesburg are large format works by acclaimed automotive photographer René Staud, who has redefined the way the world sees cars through light and motion. His work traces the journey of the BMW Art Car Collection from the very first Art Car created by Alexander Calder in 1975 (BMW 3.0 CSL) to the most recent, the 20th Art Car by Julie Mehretu (BMW M Hybrid V8). “A photograph of an Art Car is not about chrome or color — it’s about the pleasure to turn speed into poetry,” says René Staud.

Among the 10 featured BMW Art Cars are:

• Roy Lichtenstein / BMW 320 Group 5
• Andy Warhol / BMW M1 Group 4
• Ernst Fuchs / BMW 635 CSi
• Michael Jagamara Nelson / BMW M3 Group A
• César Manrique / BMW 730i

These striking images capture not only the vehicles themselves but also the visionary energy of the artists behind them, positioning BMW’s booth as a gallery of movement, design, and innovation.

Complementing this presentation, BMW will also showcase the BMW Art Guide, alongside Jonathan Ball’s ‘To Paint is in My Heart’ — a richly illustrated exploration of Esther Mahlangu’s life and artistic journey. Together, these works invite visitors to experience the full scope of BMW’s cultural legacy, from archival innovation to contemporary vision.

“BMW is celebrating 50 years of the iconic BMW Art Car Collection in 2025, underscoring our longstanding commitment to merging art, design, and innovation. As both a mobility leader and a cultural partner, we continue to support the arts in South Africa and globally. Through events such as BMW Art Generation and collaborations like BMW Young Collectors Co. and Zeitz MOCCA, we are shaping the future of African art patronage while honouring our legacy” states Taz Ramphisa, General Manager: Customer and Brand, BMW South Africa.

Premium Guest Experiences

As Official Vehicle Partner, BMW will provide chauffeur-driven services for guests, delivering the hallmark BMW experience of comfort, precision, and seamless mobility.

Join Us at FNB Art Joburg

BMW invites art lovers, collectors, and cultural innovators to experience this unique convergence of art, design, and mobility. Visit BMW’s stand at FNB Art Joburg from 4–7 September and stay tuned for exciting announcements in 2026.

Event Details

• VIP Opening: 4 September 2025
• Public Days: 5–7 September 2025
• Venue: Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg

ENDS

If you have any questions, please contact:

Corporate Communications

Angela Konert

Head of Business Communications

Phone: +27 71 666 2472

Email: Angela.Konert@bmw.co.za

https://newsroom.bmwgroup.com/global/en

BMW Group Cultural Engagement

Why Culture? Why not! Culture is knowledge, a sanctuary of beauty and depth, of meaning and peace. An inspiring escape. Tranquil at best, even unsettling sometimes. As corporate citizen, the BMW Group takes social responsibility seriously, as part of which it has been involved in hundreds of cultural initiatives worldwide for over half a century, both in the arts, music & sound, architecture as well as in design. As a long-term partner, creative freedom is key – and as essential for groundbreaking works as it is for major innovations within a business enterprise like ours.

iFurther information: www.bmwgroup.com/culture and www.bmwgroup.com/overview

Instagram: @BMWGroupCulture

#BMWGroupCulture

The BMW Group

 With its four brands BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad, the BMW Group is the world’s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles and also provides premium financial services. The BMW Group production network comprises over 30 production sites worldwide; the company has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.

In 2024, the BMW Group sold over 2.45 million passenger vehicles and more than 210,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax in the financial year 2024 was € 11.0 billion on revenues amounting to € 142.4 billion. As of 31 December 2024, the BMW Group had a workforce of 159,104 employees.

The economic success of the BMW Group has always been based on long-term thinking and responsible action. Sustainability is a key element of the BMW Group’s corporate strategy and covers all products from the supply chain and production to the end of their useful life.

www.bmwgroup.com

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/bmw-group/

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+++ Faster, more efficient transition from gas to alternative energy sources possible +++ Pilot project will save around 480 tons of CO2e per year +++

Regensburg. As it transitions from natural gas to renewable energy, the BMW Group is gradually electrifying its paint shops as part of its efforts to decarbonise vehicle production. A recently concluded pilot project at Plant Regensburg demonstrates how this transition can be simplified and accelerated. The key lies in the installation of a thermal oil system. Using thermal oil as a heat transfer medium enables heat generation to be decoupled from the rest of the system’s components. This allows the energy supply to the coating lines to be adapted flexibly at any time.

“One advantage of switching to thermal oil is the flexibility to choose the energy source for heat generation in our paint shops. For example, thermal oil can be heated using electricity, geothermal energy, solar thermal energy – or even a hydrogen-powered heating system. The ability to change fuels quickly at any time makes our paint shops more resilient. If an energy source becomes scarce or unavailable, we can respond at short notice,” explains Samuel Flieger, project manager for technical planning in the Regensburg paint shop.

This means paint shops can already be set up to run on renewable energy – even if gas-free heating is not yet an option. The power grid is not currently equipped at all locations to handle the high energy demands of a fully electrified paint shop, largely due to its extremely energy-intensive drying processes. A thermal oil-based system can also be operated with gas as an interim solution.

Testing successfully concluded in Regensburg

The Regensburg pilot project team took advantage of the production downtime over the New Year period to install the thermal oil technology. Within just a few days, they replaced the gas-powered drying equipment used for one of the three top coat lines with an electrically heated thermal oil system – complete with an innovative electric-powered eRTO exhaust air unit.

The key innovation lies in using the new electric heating unit to transfer heat to the thermal oil, instead of directly heating the air around the car bodies in the drying chamber after paint application. The heated oil circulates in a closed loop and, in a second step, heats the air in the drying chamber via heat exchangers. The circulating thermal oil reaches temperatures of several hundred degrees Celsius. Unlike water, it remains stable even at these high temperatures.

Retrofitting boosts energy efficiency

Wherever waste heat is generated, it is recovered and reused as process heat. This reduces the temperature of the exhaust air released through the hall's roof. As a result of these retrofitting measures, the drying equipment’s total energy consumption has been reduced by approximately 40 percent. Switching to thermal oil heating, combined with the system's improved energy efficiency, will reduce the carbon footprint of BMW Group Plant Regensburg’s paint shop by approximately 480 tons of CO₂e per year.

If you have any questions, please contact:

Christian Dürrschmidt, Communications Regensburg
Cell phone: +49 151 6060 5194,
Email: Christian.Duerrschmidt@bmw.de
 
Saskia Graser, head of Communications Regensburg and Wackersdorf
Cell phone: +49 151 6060 2014,
Email: Saskia.Graser@bmw.de
 
Media website: https://newsroom.bmwgroup.com/global/en
Email: presse@bmw.de

BMW Group Plants Regensburg and Wackersdorf
 
The BMW Group vehicle plant in Regensburg has been in operation since 1986 and is one of more than 30 BMW Group production locations worldwide. Every workday, around 1,400 vehicles of the BMW X1 and BMW X2 models roll off the production line at Plant Regensburg, destined for customers around the globe. Different types of drive trains are flexibly manufactured on a single production line – ranging from vehicles with internal combustion engines to plug-in hybrids and fully-electric models.

BMW Group Plant Regensburg was recognised as “FACTORY OF THE YEAR” 2024 in the category “excellent large-series assembly” of the prestigious industrial competition. As it implements the so-called BMW iFACTORY, the BMW Group is focused on digitalisation of the Regensburg plant site to create a digital and intelligently connected factory. It is already possible to experience in virtual form what the factory will look like a few years from now. Production of models for the NEUE KLASSE, BMW’s next generation of vehicles, will ramp up in Regensburg in the second half of the decade.

The BMW Group plant in Wackersdorf is home to cockpit production and parts supply for overseas plants. With the opening of a new battery testing centre and commissioning of the first phase in autumn 2024, the location also makes a significant contribution to electromobility. An entirely new area of expertise is the door and flap centre for Rolls-Royce.

The BMW Group core staff at the Regensburg and Wackersdorf locations in eastern Bavaria consists of around 9,250 employees, including about 350 apprentices.

www.bmwgroup-werke.com/regensburg/de.html

Munich. The new BMW iX3 demonstrates the BMW Group's take on implementing a holistic approach to product sustainability across the entire life cycle. During product development, extensive measures were implemented throughout the supply chain, production and use phases, explicitly focused on conserving resources and reducing the model’s environmental footprint. As such, the Neue Klasse marks an important milestone toward achieving the company's 2030 and 2050 CO₂e targets.
 
CO₂e benefits achievable after only one year of use
The extensive decarbonization measures in the supply chain results in an early break-even point: when charged with electricity from the European energy mix, the CO₂e footprint of the new BMW iX3 50 xDrive is lower than that of a comparable model with a combustion engine after about 21,500 kilometers (WLTP combined). When charged exclusively with electricity from renewable sources, the BMW iX3 50 xDrive beats the comparable ICE model after only 17,500 kilometers (WLTP combined), allowing customers to potentially achieve CO₂e benefits in as little as one year.

Decarbonization in the supply chain
The key levers to reduce CO₂e emissions in the supply chain are the use of secondary materials and renewable energy, alongside product and process innovations. This combination of measures has led to a decrease of CO₂e emissions in the supply chain of 35% during product development.
The Gen6 battery cells of the BMW iX3 high-voltage storage system are made of 50% secondary cobalt, lithium, and nickel materials. In addition, renewable energies are harnessed in the anode and cathode materials and cell production. This is how CO₂e emissions per watt hour were reduced by 42% compared to the Gen5 cell of the previous model.

The BMW Group is increasingly focused on the use of innovative and secondary materials in other components as well. 
For instance, 30% of the secondary raw material  used for the engine compartment cover and the storage compartment under the front hatch is recycled maritime plastic. This post-consumer material consists of old fishing nets and ropes, preventing these materials from potentially being dumped in the ocean.
Secondary aluminum accounts for 80% of the wheel carriers and swivel bearings as well as 70% of the cast aluminum wheels.

‘Design for Circularity’: consistent implementation in the Neue Klasse 
The BMW Group applied the ‘Design for Circularity’ approach consistently in developing the BMW iX3. The approach builds on the concepts of secondary first (the prioritized use of secondary materials), strategic material selection and disassembly optimization. As a result, secondary materials account for one third of all material used in the new BMW iX3 50 xDrive.
One example of implementing these three concepts is the Econeer seat cover, available in the interior trim Essential, whose fabric, adhesive and fleece are all made from PET. This mono-material choice increases recyclability. Moreover, the textile yarn used consists entirely of recycled PET as well.
Other components whose development followed the ‘Design for Circularity’ approach include the center console, instrument panel and interior floor trim.

Significantly improved efficiency in the use phase    
BMW EfficientDynamics involves consistently identifying and harnessing efficiency potential in all vehicle subsystems. Applying this approach, the energy consumption of the new BMW iX3 is 20% lower than in the predecessor model (WLTP combined).
This significant improvement is primarily based on optimized aerodynamic properties, reduced rolling resistance and on-board power consumption as well as the drive’s unparalleled combination of efficiency and dynamics. 

Sustainability-centric production at BMW Group’s Debrecen plant
Designed and built according to the BMW iFactory principles, the new BMW Group plant in Debrecen, Hungary, is fully focused on efficiency, digitalization and sustainability. It is the first BMW Group car factory that is operated and produces vehicles without using fossil fuels, such as oil and gas, under normal operating conditions.
The only energy source to power operations at the site is electricity. According to current planning, up to 25% of the plant's annual electricity needs can be covered by the photovoltaic system located on the premises. The remaining electricity is obtained from other renewable energy sources. Surplus solar energy is stored in a heat storage unit and used to heat the paint shop ovens as needed.
Only 0.1 tons of CO₂e are emitted in the production of a BMW iX3 car, about two third below production at other BMW Group plants.

The BMW Group’s sustainability targets
The BMW Group's commitment to the Paris Climate Agreement and to achieving Net Zero by 2050 or earlier is an integral part of the comprehensive 360° sustainability approach incorporated in the corporate strategy. The company is pursuing ambitious, scientifically derived CO₂e targets for the coming years. For instance, the BMW Group intends to reduce its CO₂e emissions by at least 40 million tons in 2030 (baseline: 2019).

Publicly accessible, TÜV-verified Product Carbon Footprint 
For years, the BMW Group has released its vehicle footprint, which includes a greenhouse gas report for its vehicles verified by Germany’s TÜV Technical Inspection Association. The report for the new BMW iX3 50 xDRIVE can be downloaded here and is also available in the My BMW app. It offers increased transparency regarding raw materials used and CO₂e emissions over the entire vehicle lifecycle.

^{All information regarding the BMW iX3 50 xDrive’s mileage, energy consumption, range, energy content, dimensions, weights, share of secondary raw materials/recycled materials and other technical data and derivations thereof are provisional as of the start of production in November 2025.}

^{All model variants, equipment levels, technical data, fuel consumption and emission data mentioned correspond to the range offered in the German car market, provided the respective model is available there. Deviations in other markets are possible. Dimensions refer to the base model available in Germany; depending on wheel and tire size as well as optional equipment selected, dimensions may vary depending on the specific configuration.}

^{Power consumption and range data were measured in accordance with the mandatory WLTP procedures and comply with the German Passenger Car Energy Consumption Labelling Ordinance (EnVKV). For more information, see www.bmw.de}

^{If you have any questions, please contact:}

^{BMW Group Corporate Communications
Dr. Cornelia Bovensiepen, Spokesperson Sustainability BMW Group
Phone: +49 89 382-94935
E-Mail: Cornelia.Bovensiepen@bmw.de
   
Sofia Elena Rizzi, Spokesperson Product Communications BMW Compact & Mid-size Segments
Phone: +49-151-601-67436
E-Mail: Sofia-Elena.Rizzi@bmw.de}

^{Internet: https://newsroom.bmwgroup.com/global/en
E-Mail: presse@bmwgroup.com}

^{The BMW Group}

^{With its four brands BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad, the BMW Group is the world’s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles and also provides premium financial services. The BMW Group production network comprises over 30 production sites worldwide; the company has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.}

^{In 2024, the BMW Group sold over 2.45 million passenger vehicles and more than 210,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax in the financial year 2024 was € 11.0 billion on revenues amounting to € 142.4 billion. As of 31 December 2024, the BMW Group had a workforce of 159,104 employees.}

^{The economic success of the BMW Group has always been based on long-term thinking and responsible action. Sustainability is a key element of the BMW Group’s corporate strategy and covers all products from the supply chain and production to the end of their useful life.}

^{www.bmwgroup.com 
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/bmw-group/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/bmwgroup 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bmwgroup
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bmwgroup
X: https://www.x.com/bmwgroup} 

Munich. The BMW Group is now offering customers even broader scope for personalising analysis of their driving stats in the My BMW App and MINI App. The latest update allows drivers to view their personal carbon footprint for the first time.

“Our usage research shows: The information in My Trips is one of the most popular features in the app,” says Dirk Wiedmann, Senior Vice President Sales Steering and Strategy, Digitalization. “We are now expanding this successful function with carbon footprint calculation, giving our customers simple and straightforward access to sustainability-related information via a popular and widely used channel.”

Emissions from vehicle production and use: two sets of figures make up the driver’s personal footprint. 
The personal carbon footprint function has been designed with a technology-open approach and is available for vehicles with combustion engines, as well as plug-in hybrid and fully electric models. At launch, this feature will be rolled out across selected models in various European countries*. Calculation of the personal footprint is based on two central sets of figures.

• Emissions from vehicle use: My Trips analyses the routes the driver has completed and uses the energy consumed in the process to work out the CO₂ emitted. To this end, CO₂ equivalents are calculated using data from the International Energy Agency (IEA). For vehicles with combustion engines, the app calculates the amount of CO₂ emitted based on the fuel consumed. For battery-electric vehicles, it shows the emissions generated when using the average national energy mix – and also tells the driver how high emissions would be by comparison if green energy was used.
• Emissions from vehicle production: These are emissions generated during the manufacturing process. Emissions are recorded from the processing of raw materials, procurement of materials, transport logistics and the production of the model at hand. The BMW Group already sets out the emissions figures for numerous models in the form of Vehicle Footprint Reports. These are calculated according to recognised standards for life cycle assessments and certified by the TÜV Rheinland agency. They can also be downloaded from the BMW Group website.

Ready for electric mobility: My BMW App helps with the transition.

The My BMW App also includes the Electric Vehicle Analysis introduced last summer. This function allows customers whose BMW is powered by a combustion engine to simulate how well a fully electric BMW fits their personal driving profile. Here, the customer selects an electric BMW model as an alternative vehicle in the app. Once the combustion-engined model has made at least 200 journeys and covered a distance of 2,000 kilometres (over 1,240 miles), the analysis shows the journeys the user could have completed on a single charge with the electric vehicle selected, and also flags up charging stations close to frequently visited destinations. More than 100,000 customers had used this analysis by May 2025.

Over 14 million customers around the world use the My BMW App and MINI App. The My Trips function is available in more than 90 countries and is actively used by 1.9 million users.

* The new function is available to users of vehicles for which a TÜV-certified carbon footprint has been calculated. The feature will launch in Germany, Austria, Belgium, France, Luxemburg and Switzerland, and be available in the BMW 1 Series (code 81GE), BMW 2 Series (31GH), BMW X2 (71GM, 21GM), BMW X3 (11GR, 31GP, 65GP), BMW 5 Series (31FK, 11JF, 71FJ), BMW 5 Series Touring (11HH, 11GW, 21GV), BMW M5 (81FK) and BMW iX (41CF) and MINI Cooper (11GC), MINI Cooper C (11GD), MINI Aceman (31GC) and MINI Countryman (41GA, 11GA).

In the event of enquiries please contact:                                                                   

Corporate Communications

Wieland Brúch
BMW Product Communications
Electromobility and Sustainability
Phone: +49-176-601-72652
E-mail: Wieland.Bruch@bmw.de  

Martin Tholund
Spokesperson BMW Digital Car, Electronics and Software, Technology Partnerships, Digital Products and Services
Phone: +49-151-601-77126
E-Mail: Martin.Tholund@bmwgroup.com  

Internet: https://newsroom.bmwgroup.com/global/en

E-mail: presse@bmw.de



The BMW Group

With its four brands BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad, the BMW Group is the world’s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles and also provides premium financial services. The BMW Group production network comprises over 30 production sites worldwide; the company has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.

In 2024, the BMW Group sold 2.45 million passenger vehicles and more than 210,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax in the financial year 2024 was € 11.0 billion on revenues amounting to € 142.4 billion. As of 31 December 2024, the BMW Group had a workforce of 159,104 employees.

The economic success of the BMW Group has always been based on long-term thinking and responsible action. Sustainability is a key element of the BMW Group’s corporate strategy and covers all products from the supply chain and production to the end of their useful life. 

www.bmwgroup.com

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/bmw-group/

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Munich. Following the successful utilization of renewable raw materials in racing cars, the BMW Group will now harness natural fiber composites also for its series-production models. The BMW Group reached series maturity of ##natural fiber## composites following several years of development and in-depth research. The composites from renewable raw materials even meet the stringent demands of roof structures in total vehicle homologation.

The flax-based lightweight components have been developed in collaboration with Bcomp, a Swiss clean-tech company, for several years now. The partnership with Bcomp supports the BMW Group’s goal of further reducing CO₂e emissions in future vehicle models. The Munich-based carmaker holds a stake in Bcomp through BMW i Ventures, the company’s venture capital arm.

Lightweight construction has long been a crucial development field for the BMW Group. The use of natural fibers with a reduced CO₂e footprint in composite materials has become increasingly important. Materials tests have demonstrated the fibers’ great suitability, especially for visible exterior and interior components.

One example: Exchanging carbon fiber composites for natural fiber composites in the roof of the next-generation BMW Group portfolio leads to a CO₂e-reduction of around 40% in production plus additional end-of-life considerations.

The innovative reinforcement parts made of natural fiber composites were initially used by BMW M Motorsport in the 2019 season of Formula E. Since then, the components have also been successfully used in the #BMW M4## DTM and ##M4 GT4##, replacing carbon fiber plastic (CFRP) parts. Since 2022, Bcomp has been an official BMW M Motorsport partner for the BMW M4 GT4.

The new lightweight materials will soon experience the ultimate performance test as they are fitted in the BMW M4 GT4 for the 24-hour race on the Nürburgring. Franciscus van Meel, CEO of ##BMW M GmbH##, stated: “Natural fiber composites are a vital element of innovative lightweight solutions in motorsport, allowing for a reduction in CO₂e emissions in the manufacturing process. Natural fiber is an innovation that perfectly exemplifies BMW M’s claim ‘Born on the racetrack. Made for the streets.’. This is why we are delighted to confirm the series maturity of these materials, a breakthrough we achieved with our official ##BMW M Motorsport## partner Bcomp. We are now looking forward to the use of these materials in future BMW M product ranges.”

Munich / Berlin. Now in its fourth year, the successful partnership between BMW Group and ESMT Berlin continues to evolve. The BMW Group Change Maker Fellowships, launched in 2022, are being extended in 2025 to include ESMT’s full-time MBA and MSc programs alongside the Global Online MBA and will focus on shaping leadership for a digital future.

For the upcoming academic year, eight fellowships will be offered:

• two fellowships for the Full-time MBA program (January 2026 intake)
• two fellowships for the MSc programs (October 2025 intake) and
• four fellowships for the Global Online MBA program (October 2025 intake).

This expansion marks an important shift in the collaboration between the BMW Group and ESMT. By investing in students across the business school’s degree programs, the BMW Group will support a broader and more diverse group of future leaders with strong backgrounds in mathematics and technology. These individuals will be uniquely positioned to drive positive change in business and society by bringing innovative thinking to real-world challenges in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.

Ilka Horstmeier, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, responsible for People and Real Estate, and Labor Relations Director emphasized the importance of this commitment. She said, "We are delighted to partner with ESMT to foster the next generation of Change Makers. Bold innovations require bold individuals. Through our commitment to additional ESMT programs, we are investing in future leaders."

Applicants must have an academic or professional background in mathematics or technology-related fields and be citizens or permanent residents of Germany, India, Portugal, Romania, China, USA or South Africa or hold refugee status in Germany. MSc and full-time MBA applicants must also be aged 30 or younger on September 1, 2025.

When applying for the BMW Group Change Maker Fellowships, candidates will be asked to answer the following question: the BMW Group seeks to actively shape the future of mobility; what aspect of a digital future fascinates you the most and why?

In total, the BMW Group currently employs around 10,000 people worldwide in IT & software development. It has been pooling the company's IT expertise in IT and software hubs worldwide since 2008. In addition to the locations in Germany, South Africa, the USA, Portugal and China, there are now two more in Romania and India. The hubs have their own distinctive tech culture and a high degree of autonomy, making them attractive places to work for regional talent pools. For this reason, BMW Group is offering the 2025 Change Maker Fellowships with a focus on digitalization to select countries of its BMW Group IT-Hub network.

ESMT President Jörg Rocholl commented, “The Change Maker Fellowships continue to deepen our shared mission with BMW Group: to foster tech-savvy leaders capable of driving meaningful, global change.”

Since their inception, the Change Maker Fellowships have emerged as a strategic initiative positioned at the crossroads of societal responsibility and global talent development. They reflect BMW Group and ESMT’s shared commitment to unlocking potential and guiding individuals toward meaningful, high-impact careers.

More information on the fellowship and the application process may be found here

If you have any questions, please contact:

Press Contact BMW Group Corporate Communications

Milena Pighi
Communications HR, Real Estate, Culture, Corporate Citizenship
Spokesperson Corporate Citizenship
Email: milena.pa.pighi@bmwgroup.com
Telephone: +49-160-978-24316

Media website: https://newsroom.bmwgroup.com/global/en
Email: presse@bmwgroup.com

Press Contact ESMT Berlin
Lennart Richter
Press Spokesperson
Email: lennart.richter@esmt.org
Telephone: +49-160-5521-393

Munich. With electric mobility continuing to gather pace, recycling high-voltage batteries is increasingly under the spotlight. After successfully launching a closed-loop recycling system for the reuse of raw materials from high-voltage batteries thanks to the BMW Brilliance Automotive Joint Venture (BBA) in China in 2022, the BMW Group has now hit another milestone on its journey. On 1 November 2024, it launched a pan-European partnership with SK tes, a leading provider of innovative technology lifecycle solutions. The special recycling process recovers cobalt, nickel and lithium from used batteries before returning them to the value chain to make new batteries. This closed-loop system is set to expand to the US-Mexico-Canada region as early as 2026.

Its long-term partnership with SK tes sees the BMW Group directly involved in the practical recycling processes, allowing it to feed back valuable insights to the development departments. Moving forward, high-voltage batteries from BMW Group development, production and markets in Europe that are no longer fit for use are to be delivered to SK tes in what is the first step towards an effective and sustainable circular economy for batteries. SK tes then converts the old batteries into high-quality metals that can be reintroduced to battery production. The latter process sees the batteries mechanically shredded, during which the metals are concentrated to leave a material called black mass. The valuable materials, namely nickel, lithium and cobalt, are then recovered in a highly effective chemical process called hydrometallurgy. Among other things, these secondary raw materials will be used for the new GEN 6 drive train.

"Partnerships like this increase our efficiency in terms of the circular economy. In the closed-loop process, all partners mutually benefit from their experiences," says Jörg Lederbauer, Vice President Circular Economy, Spare Parts Supply High Voltage Battery and Electric Powertrain at BMW AG. 

The battery recycling process of SK tes has won numerous sustainability and innovation awards worldwide – from the Business Intelligence Group’s Sustainability Service of the Year to the UN Global Compact’s Apex Award.

Circular economy at the BMW Group

"The promotion of circular economy is an important strategic topic for the BMW Group. The development of recyclable products, the increase of secondary materials in our components, and the closing of loops play an equally important role," says Nadine Philipp, Vice President Sustainability Supplier Network at BMW AG. "And by the means of circular economy we are also increasing our resilience in the supply chains."

The BMW Group follows the principles of Re:Think, Re:Duce, Re:Use, and Re:Cycle in the sense of a conservation of resources when it comes to circular economy. From vehicle design and production to recycling and reuse: everything is geared towards ensuring BMW vehicles become a raw materials source for new cars once they reach the end of their useful life. One such example is the BMW Group’s Recycling and Dismantling Centre. Over a period of 30 years now, the centre has developed processes and put them into practice, making key progress in parts and materials recycling.

Munich/Cascais. Ten grassroots organizations were honoured yesterday as recipients of the Intercultural Innovation Hub (IIH), one of the flagship initiatives of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) in partnership with the BMW Group and implemented with the support of Accenture.

The ceremony was held in the framework of the 10th UNAOC Global Forum in Cascais, Portugal under the theme “United in Peace: Restoring Trust, Reshaping the Future – Reflecting on Two Decades of Dialogue for Humanity”. The Forum convened prominent figures, political leaders, UN officials including the United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, as well as representatives from civil society, academia, and the private sector, to share insights and reflect on the 20 years of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations’ impactful work.

This year, organizations from Austria, Botswana, Canada, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Nigeria, Peru, the United States of America, and Zambia were selected from over 1,800 entries worldwide. Their projects range from fostering diversity and inclusion, promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment, advancing art, culture and sports for social change.

Through the IIH, the recipients will receive a substantial financial grant, as well as one year of capacity-building and mentorship support.

“We are committed to advancing inclusive, global communities by empowering grassroots initiatives that champion diversity and social cohesion. The Intercultural Innovation Hub showcases innovative projects that directly address these goals, and we are immensely proud of the collaboration between UNAOC and the private sector. Together, we continue to amplify the transformative work of social innovators globally, whose dedication and forward-thinking approaches are driving lasting positive change toward a more united and inclusive world,” said Miguel Ángel Moratinos, UN Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for UNAOC.

“With the Intercultural Innovation Hub, we celebrate outstanding initiatives implemented by extraordinary individuals who are working to bridge intercultural divisions in innovative and impactful ways,” said Ilka Horstmeier, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG People and Real Estate, Labour Relations Director. “At the BMW Group, we believe that diversity not only enhances our company, but it is also the very foundation on which our success is built. That is why we are deeply thankful for our strong partnership with the UNAOC. This collaboration enables us to recognize some of the remarkable cross-cultural work being done worldwide.”

“The Intercultural Innovation Hub provides a unique opportunity to drive change through innovation and collaboration. Since 2018, we have been proud to offer our expertise, practical training, and mentorship programs to empower global change-makers, helping them develop and scale their ideas for positive impact," said Roland Mayr, Accenture Senior Managing Director.

Intercultural Innovation Hub 2024 recipients
The following recipients and their projects ranging from fostering diversity and inclusion, promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment, and advancing art, culture and sports for social change will receive funding along with a comprehensive 12-month capacity-building and mentoring programme: 

• Breaking Grounds - Social Change Through Sport (Austria) - Kicken ohne Grenzen - Empowering Youth through Football
• Circus Zambia (Zambia) - Social Circus for Social Change
• Devatop Centre for Africa Development (Nigeria) - TALKAM Human Rights Initiative
• Global Nomads Group (USA) - Content Creation Lab
• International Centre for Peace, Human Rights and Development in Africa (Kenya) - Youth and Young Women Leaders Mediation and Regional Advocacy Initiatives
• Profonanpe (Peru) - Building Capacity of Indigenous Leaders on Climate Change
• Shreeja India (India) - Football and Beyond
• Yayasan Kota Kita Surakarta (Indonesia) - Surakarta Space Shaper: Empowering Children to design Child-friendly and Inclusive City
• Yellowhead Indigenous Education Foundation (Canada) - Exploring Wâhkôhtowin
• Young Minds Africa Trust (Botswana) - Model Parliament Africa

For more information, please see the IIH’s official website: https://interculturalinnovation.org/

If you have any questions, please contact:

BMW Group Corporate Communications
Milena Pighi
Corporate and Governmental Affairs
Spokesperson Corporate Citizenship
Email: milena.pa.pighi@bmw.de
Telephone: +49-89-382-66563

Media website: https://newsroom.bmwgroup.com/global/en
Email: presse@bmwgroup.com

United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC)
Alessandro Girola
Chief, Programming and Projects Unit
Email: alessandro.girola@un.org 

Munich. The BMW Group and its joint venture Encory are building a Cell Recycling Competence Centre (CRCC) for battery cells in Kirchroth, in the Straubing-Bogen district of Lower Bavaria, where it will implement a process referred to as “direct recycling”. This innovative procedure enables residual materials from battery cell production, as well as whole battery cells, to be mechanically dismantled into their valuable components. The recovered raw materials are then directly reused in pilot production of battery cells at the company’s own Battery Cell Competence Centres.

“The new Cell Recycling Competence Centre brings another element to our in-house expertise: From development and pilot production to recycling, we are creating a closed loop for battery cells,” says Markus Fallböhmer, SVP Battery Production at BMW AG, “taking advantage of the short distances between our Competence Centres in Bavaria.” The BMW Group is investing around 10 million euros in construction of the new Competence Centre. Installation work at the building is already scheduled to begin in the second half of 2025. Once completed, validation of the recycling method in near-series processes will get underway.

Innovative direct recycling recovers valuable raw materials

Battery cell raw materials – primarily lithium and cobalt, but also graphite, manganese, nickel and copper – are among the main cost factors in cell production. Responsible use of these resources is essential from both environmental and economic perspectives. “The direct recycling will help reducing the costs for our battery cell pilot line”, explains Fallböhmer. Unlike conventional methods, the main characteristic of direct recycling is that raw materials from battery cells are not reverted to their original state, but are instead fed back “directly” into the cell production cycle. This method dispenses with the previously common energy-intensive chemical or thermal processing. The recycling method was developed by BMW Group experts at the Competence Centres in Munich and Parsdorf. At the new CRCC, it will be implemented on a larger scale and, once the processes are finalised, battery cell material in the mid-double-digit tonne range can be recycled per year.

Optimal location for new Competence Centre in Bavaria

The BMW Group consolidates its battery cell expertise at its Competence Centres in Munich and Parsdorf. The Battery Cell Competence Centre (BCCC) in the north of Munich offers state-of-the-art labs and research facilities for developing the battery cells for next-generation high-voltage batteries and producing them in small quantities. The most promising battery cell from the BCCC will be scaled up for series processes on a pilot line at the Cell Manufacturing Competence Centre (CMCC) in Parsdorf. Once completed, recycling of surplus material from pilot production in Parsdorf will take place at the new Competence Centre in Kirchroth. The recovered raw materials will then be reused in cell production in Parsdorf. This ensures short distances between all Competence Centres and prevents valuable raw materials from being lost. Following on from the BCCC and CMCC, the CRCC thus represents the next step in the BMW Group’s battery cell strategy on the road to the circular economy.

Joint venture operates Competence Center, intellectual property at the BMW Group

The new CRCC, spanning an area of 2,200 m², will be integrated into the expansion of an existing building in the Kirchroth-Nord industrial park, near Straubing. Electrical energy from the discharged cells will be captured in energy storage systems within the building and used to operate the recycling systems. The energy concept will be rounded out by photovoltaic systems installed on the roof of the building. While the intellectual property for the recycling method is fully owned by the BMW Group – the Competence Centre will be built and operated by Encory GmbH. As a joint venture of the BMW Group and Interzero Group, Encory develops and implements logistics and consulting solutions in areas such as collection, recycling, and remanufacturing of vehicle components. Both partners hold a 50% stake in the company. Around 20 people will be employed in the new Competence Center.

Circular economy at the BMW Group

The BMW Group views the circular economy as one of the key issues in designing more resource-efficient vehicles. The premise is to optimize the circularity of materials. This means resources are not lost, but retain their value for long-term use. The BMW Group applies the principles of Re:Think, Re:Duce, Re:Use and Re:Cycle. From vehicle design and production, to recycling and reuse, everything is geared towards ensuring cars can serve as a source of raw materials for new vehicles at the end of their use phase. Recycling focuses, in particular, on the use of innovative methods to recover high-voltage batteries from electrified vehicles.

+++ Use of hydrogen in intralogistics – components delivered to all production areas by hydrogen-powered tugger trains and forklift trucks +++ Gradual transition from electric to hydrogen propulsion by 2030 +++

Regensburg. BMW Group Plant Regensburg plans to utilise hydrogen for its production logistics going forward. Starting in 2026, hydrogen-powered tugger trains and forklift trucks will be deployed for all transport and logistics tasks. This includes operations in the press shop, body shop and assembly, ensuring that the necessary components and individual parts are delivered to the correct locations for installation.

The project aims to capitalise on the benefits of hydrogen propulsion. “The gradual transition from electric to hydrogen propulsion brings us another step closer to the BMW iFACTORY, our digital and sustainable factory of the future,” says Armin Ebner, head of BMW Group Plant Regensburg.

“Switching production logistics from electricity to hydrogen will diversify our plant’s energy mix – while optimising logistics processes and saving valuable space,” explains Project Manager Katharina Radtke. “The advantage of hydrogen is that refuelling is very fast – just like with conventional fuels. The filling stations required for this will be installed directly within the different production areas and do not take up much space.”

The entire logistics fleet at the Regensburg plant is currently being equipped with electric drive trains. The batteries used in the industrial trucks need to be changed twice per shift. Battery replacement, which is performed manually using a crane, takes about 15 minutes and requires space.

To ensure the wide-scale supply of hydrogen in the future, BMW Group plant Regensburg will install a two-kilometre-long pipeline network, with six decentralised filling stations, between now and early 2026. These stations will supply the logistics fleet in the various production areas with hydrogen, delivered in special trailers that can also be used for interim storage. “Once the conversion is completed, our annual hydrogen consumption will be around 150 tonnes,” says Radtke.

The logistics fleet at BMW Group Plant Regensburg currently comprises about 230 tugger train haulers and forklift trucks. The transition will be completed in stages by 2030.


BMW Group Corporate Communications

Christian Dürrschmidt, Communications Regensburg
Cell phone: +49 151 6060 5194
Email: Christian.Duerrschmidt@bmw.de

Saskia Graser, head of Communications Regensburg and Wackersdorf
Cell phone: +49 151 6060 2014
Email: Saskia.Graser@bmw.de

Media website: https://newsroom.bmwgroup.com/global/en

Email: presse@bmw.de


BMW Group Plants Regensburg and Wackersdorf

The BMW Group has viewed itself for decades as the benchmark for production technology and operational excellence in vehicle construction – including at its locations in Regensburg and Wackersdorf. The BMW Group vehicle plant in Regensburg has been in operation since 1986 and is one of more than 30 BMW Group production locations worldwide. A total of up to 1,400 vehicles of the BMW X1 and BMW X2 models come off the production line at Plant Regensburg every workday – destined for customers all over the world. Different types of drive trains are flexibly manufactured on a single production line – from vehicles with internal combustion engines to plug-in hybrids, to fully-electric models.

High-voltage batteries for the electric models built in Regensburg are also produced locally, in direct proximity to the vehicle plant. They are assembled at the electric component production facility, which opened in 2021 at the Leibnizstrasse location.

BMW Innovation Park Wackersdorf also belongs to the Regensburg site. The 55-hectare campus built in the 1980s was originally intended as a nuclear reprocessing facility. The BMW Group has located its cockpit production there, as well as its parts supply for overseas plants. In addition to BMW as the largest employer, several other companies are also based at Innovation Park Wackersdorf. A total of around 2,500 employees work there.
The BMW Group core staff at the Regensburg and Wackersdorf locations in eastern Bavaria is made up of around 9,250 employees, including more than 300 apprentices.


www.bmwgroup-werke.com/regensburg/de.html

Munich/Parsdorf. With the publication of its first environmental impact report, the new BMW Group Competence Center for Battery Cell Manufacturing (CMCC) in Parsdorf has been awarded EMAS certification. The acronym EMAS stands for European Eco-Management and Audit Scheme, which claims to be the most stringent environmental management system in the world. The certification was presented to Bernd Wächtershäuser, Director of the CMCC in Parsdorf, on 18 November. Speaking during a visit by the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) for Munich and Upper Bavaria, Wächtershäuser said: “We are very pleased to receive this award, which underlines the fact that our processes operate on a very high level, in both economic and environmental terms.  The entire team has done an excellent job in achieving this certification.”

The CMCC in Parsdorf is where the BMW Group manufactures prototype cells of the kind that will be used in the Neue Klasse models from 2025. It is also a manifestation of the company’s pioneering role in battery cell technology. “Economic success and sustainable operations are not a contradiction,” said Manfred Gößl, Managing Director of the IHK for Munich and Upper Bavaria at the presentation of the certificate. “Quite the opposite, in fact – as is evidenced by every facility pursuing EMAS certification. The IHK would like to congratulate the BMW Group Competence Centre in Parsdorf on this milestone.”

CMCC Parsdorf: Efficient operations, and concepts for the cell cycle

The EMAS certification underlines the rigorous environmental standards that govern operations at the CMCC in Parsdorf. Its technical systems for battery cell production have been subject to an immission control approval procedure, and the site was found to meet all requirements and specifications. The CMCC is powered by non-fossil energy from 100% renewable sources. Natural gas was deliberately rejected as a source of power, and the building is instead supplied with regenerative heat thanks to state-of-the-art groundwater and air source heat pumps. Hot water for process ventilation is obtained highly efficiently, via the waste heat from various primary processes. “Pilot production focuses on reducing consumption of critical raw materials and energy, avoiding solvents and developing innovative approaches to support circular raw materials for batteries,” Wächtershäuser explained. Raw materials are a significant cost factor in cell production, so using them efficiently and responsibly is essential in terms of both economic and environmental considerations. The CMCC in Parsdorf is also helping the BMW Group learn more about how to further optimise the use of resources. Wherever technically feasible, residual materials generated during the production process are fed into the material loop. Active materials incorporate a significant share of recyclates.

EMAS certification: Strict requirements and high environmental standards

To obtain EMAS certification, businesses must fulfil stringent requirements and comply with rigorous environmental standards. EMAS is a globally recognised standard that helps companies to manage and continuously improve their environmental impact. A key part of the EMAS environmental management system consists of the international environmental management standard ISO 14001. EMAS also focuses on measurable improvements, transparency and legal security. The aim of the certification is to help companies continuously improve their environmental performance, for example by using energy and material more efficiently and reducing emissions, wastewater and waste from their sites. Besides these direct environmental impacts, EMAS focuses on indirect aspects, such as the environmental compatibility of products, procurement and supply chains, contractors’ conduct, and recording and evaluating the impact of employees commuting to work.

(Source: https://www.umweltbundesamt.de/themen/wirtschaft-konsum/wirtschaft-umwelt/umwelt-energiemanagement/emas-umweltmanagement-guetesiegel-der-europaeischen#systematisches-umweltmanagement-mit-emas)

How a battery cell is made: The stages of prototype production at the CMCC

Cell production at CMCC in Parsdorf starts with the manufacture of the electrode. The basic materials – including graphite for the anode and nickel oxides for the cathode – are dosed and mixed with binders and solvents in exact ratios to create what’s known as slurry. This is then used to coat wafer-thin metal foils and compress them after drying, in a process known in the business as calendering. In calendering, maximum precision is vital, as the foil is just a few micrometres thick, thinner than the threads of a spider’s web, and the coating is also in the micrometre range. The coated foils – or calendered electrodes – then move on to cell assembly, where they are wound into “jelly rolls” with the separator and inserted into the cell housing. The cells are then filled with electrolyte, charged for the first time and tested for function and quality.

Parsdorf prototypes: New cell format and advanced cell chemistry

Battery cells determine the key characteristics of electric vehicles: range, mileage and charging time. The new cylindrical cell by BMW is specially designed for the electric architecture of the Neue Klasse models and can significantly increase range by up to 30 percent (according to WLTP) – possibly even more, depending on the model. It has a uniform diameter of 46 millimetres and comes in two different heights: 95 and 120 millimetres. The nickel content is higher than that of BMW’s fifth-generation battery cells and the cobalt content is lower. On the anode side, the silicon content is higher, meaning an increase in volumetric energy density in the cell of more than 20 percent. The high-voltage battery, drive and charging technology of the Neue Klasse will have a higher voltage of 800 volts. One advantage of this is that it optimises the feed-in of energy at DC fast-charging stations.

Transparent reporting: Environmental impact statement now online

The environmental impact statement of the BMW Group’s CMCC and test-parts logistics in Parsdorf has been independently reviewed by TÜV SÜD Umweltgutachter GmbH and is now available online at (in German only): https://www.bmwgroup.com/content/dam/grpw/websites/bmwgroup_com/responsibility/downloads/de/2023/Umwelterklaerung_2023_Parsdorf.pdf

Dingolfing/Regensburg. BMW Group Plants Dingolfing and Regensburg will obtain electricity generated from renewable energy directly from their own roofs. Dingolfing’s rooftop PV system, with a capacity of 11.1 MWp, will be one of the most powerful in Germany. To achieve this objective, the premium automotive manufacturer is renting roof space at its two plant sites in Eastern Bavaria to Sunrock Holding Deutschland GmbH, which will generate electricity using photovoltaics and make it available to the plants under direct supply contracts from 2025 onwards.

Nicole Haft-Zboril, head of BMW Group Real Estate Management, underlined that: “With this project, we are not only creating one of Germany's biggest rooftop photovoltaic systems – we are also promoting the generation of renewable energy directly on site at BMW Group plant locations.”

In Dingolfing, photovoltaic modules cover more than 100,000 square metres of hall roof space, with an additional area of over 25,000 square metres installed in Regensburg. Together, the systems are designed to achieve an output of 14 MWp. The annual renewable electricity output is estimated at 11.3 GWh for Dingolfing and 2.9 GWh for Regensburg, which corresponds to the annual electricity needs of several thousand single-family homes.

Georg Brenninkmeijer, managing director of Sunrock Germany, said: “It is such an honour for us to collaborate with a renowned automotive company like BMW. In a sector with high energy demands, like many other industries, it is crucial to develop localised solutions to ensure a sustainable energy supply. We are delighted to start installing the PV systems in Dingolfing and Regensburg soon, which will supply the two BMW Group plants with locally produced green solar power in the future.”

The planned photovoltaic systems are scheduled to be commissioned and start supplying electricity in Regensburg as early as spring 2025, with Dingolfing targeting autumn of next year. Work will get underway at both locations in the coming months. In Dingolfing, the modules will be installed on the roof of one of the central aftersales logistics halls – the Plant 02.70 “Dynamics Centre” – while Regensburg will utilise the roof area of one of its logistics halls.

If you have any questions, please contact:

Julian Friedrich, BMW Group Plant Dingolfing, head of Communications

Telephone: +49 8731 76 22020, Email: Julian.Friedrich@bmw.de

Saskia Graser, BMW Group Plant Regensburg, head of Communications

Telephone: +49 941 770 2014, Email: Saskia.Graser@bmw.de

Steyr. BMW Group Plant Steyr is switching entirely to district heating for warmth: in regular operations the Austrian engine facility now no longer uses natural gas, relying instead on heat from a nearby biomass powerplant. In a symbolic act, Milan Nedeljković, Board Member for Production at BMW AG, and Arnold Schwarzenegger turned on the new power supply. The change of energy source marks yet another step in the BMW Group’s efforts to reduce its carbon footprint.

Milan Nedeljković, member of the Board of Management of BMW AG responsible for Production: “We are optimising the carbon footprint of all our production facilities worldwide, using innovative technologies and the potential of the local area to generate energy from fossil fuel-free sources. Today, we are setting a new milestone here in Steyr.”

Consistent reductions in energy consumption

BMW Group Plant Steyr uses around 250 gigawatt hours of energy a year – enough to power about 59,000 homes. Over the last few years, energy consumption has fallen steadily: “Since 2006 we have succeeded in almost halving the amount of energy we use per engine,” explained Plant Director Klaus von Moltke.

Heat supplies play a particularly important role in all of this: “The plant was first connected to the district heating grid in 2012. Since then, there have been multiple expansions,” Klaus von Moltke continued. The transition to purely district heating was expected to reach completion at the turn of the year 2024-2025 but has now been realised two and a half months earlier.

Where the heat comes from: regional district heating from wood chips

The switch would not have been possible without a strong partner in the region: BMW Group Plant Steyr now sources its heat from the biomass powerplant of Fernwärme Steyr, just under a kilometre away. This is operated by the state’s two energy providers – Energie AG Oberösterreich Erzeugung GmbH and EVN Wärme GmbH – in their joint subsidiary, Bioenergie Steyr GmbH. To provide the heat energy that Plant Steyr needs, an additional heat generation plant with a 10-megawatt biomass boiler is being erected at the site. So, Plant Steyr will source its heat from renewable resources: wood chips from the surrounding forests.

Klaus von Moltke summarised the situation saying: “By switching to 100 percent heat from regenerative biomass, we are taking a major step today. Our plant now sources both its electricity and its heat for regular operations from renewables.”

Today’s symbolic energy switch took place on stage as more than a thousand employees looked on. In his keynote speech Arnold Schwarzenegger called on everyone present to act on climate change. He then shut down the plant’s gas supply. Milan Nedeljković, Board Member for Production at BMW AG, then symbolically turned on the final expansion to the district heating supply.

Arnold Schwarzenegger then joined Klaus von Moltke and Milan Nedeljcović for a tour of the training and education centre, engine assembly and BMW Group Plant Steyr’s recently opened electric motor production line, chatting with employees as he went.

Munich/Zagreb. Innovations often arise where experts from different areas and organizations come together. This is exactly what is happening now as part of a research cooperation between the BMW Group's Battery Cell Competence Center (BCCC) and the University of Zagreb's Regional Center of Excellence for Robotic Technology (CRTA).

The two partners are jointly developing solutions to improve the production of battery cells using artificial intelligence (AI). Doctoral candidates and students at the University of Zagreb are collecting and structuring existing production data. Based on this data, AI models are created that can identify certain patterns in the data. This allows them to make predictions on how production can be further optimized in terms of performance, quality and costs.

Battery cell know-how along the entire value chain

The BMW Group bundles its battery cell know-how in its competence centers in Munich and Parsdorf. At the Battery Cell Competence Center (BCCC) in the north of Munich, battery cells for future generations of high-voltage batteries are developed and manufactured in small quantities. State-of-the-art laboratories, research facilities and prototyping facilities cover the know-how along the entire battery cell value chain. The BCCC is complemented by the Cell Manufacturing Competence Center (CMCC) in Parsdorf. The best battery cell from the BCCC is scaled towards a series process at the pilot line in Parsdorf. The close, cross-departmental cooperation between development, purchasing and production uniquely links product and process at the BMW Group.

The importance of European knowledge exchange

The University of Zagreb contributes its expertise in the fields of mechanical engineering, electrical engineering and computer science to this project. Both partners benefit from the continuous exchange of knowledge: "As a university, we offer the BMW Group access to the latest research results and innovative ideas, while our students benefit from the opportunity to apply their theoretical knowledge in practice," says Zdenko Tonković, Dean of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture at the University of Zagreb.

Promoting young talents

Another aspect of this cooperation is the promotion of young talents. "Through this joint project, we inspire students for the BMW Group and the innovative work in our battery cell competence centers," explains Moritz Poremba, Head of Battery Cell Recycling Technology Development at the BMW Group. "Of course, we also hope to attract young talents to our company." The students benefit from the cooperation through intensive mentoring and the opportunity to expand their professional network in the industry. This increases their attractiveness on the job market and offers them excellent career opportunities. The cooperation between the BMW Group and the University of Zagreb strengthens the innovative power and competitiveness of both partners.

Munich. With the aim of advancing circularity in the automotive industry, the BMW Group has undertaken important groundwork in the recycling of vehicles at the end of their useful life. For 30 years, the BMW Group’s Recycling and Dismantling Centre (RDC) has been developing and testing processes to achieve significant advances in the recycling of parts and reusable materials. The expertise gained at the RDC is shared with a global network in the recycling industry and helps to promote the establishment of a circular economy in the automotive industry. It also feeds into the BMW Group’s product design process, ensuring that a new model’s recyclability is considered from the outset.

Each year, the RDC recycles several thousand vehicles, most of which are pre-series vehicles that have been used for testing and cannot be sold to end customers. These are dismantled using a standardised process that focuses on identifying reusable series components and materials suitable for recycling.

Centre of excellence for recycling provides the template for the entire industry.
What began in 1994 as a new, company-owned recycling facility has transformed over three decades into a true centre of excellence for vehicle recycling. In view of new regulations and the BMW Group’s ambitious targets, the RDC will play an even more important role going forward: the expertise it has built is key to further improving the recyclability of vehicles.

The BMW Group was instrumental in setting up the IDIS (International Dismantling Information System) platform, on which the RDC publishes its data and findings. These are then available free of charge to recycling companies around the world. Some 3,000 organisations in 32 countries currently use the joint recycling database to learn how to dismantle recyclable components cost-effectively and recover valuable materials efficiently.

Developing and improving recycling processes is part of the effort to reduce the environmental footprint, while conserving resources also helps to reduce emissions.

Today’s scrap is tomorrow’s raw material.
Vehicle recycling at the RDC begins with the controlled release of the restraint systems and the pumping out of all fluids. A proprietary BMW Group process is used to neutralise the pyrotechnics in the airbags, among other things. Oil is also removed from the shock absorbers using a specially developed device.

During the subsequent dismantling phase, the focus is initially on recycling individual components. Functional components in mint condition and with series status are not disposed of but passed on to registered dealers for resale. During the mechanical dismantling of the rest of the vehicle, certain materials, such as the copper contained in the wiring harnesses, are separated using a specially designed excavator. Once the engine block and gearbox have been removed, the remaining vehicle is pressed and shredded at an external recycling facility.

The targeted dismantling of metals ensures that today’s scrap becomes tomorrow’s raw material – to the greatest possible extent and in the best possible quality. This is not only important from an environmental point of view, but also from a financial one: just like copper, metals used in the powertrain generate particularly high revenues. Separate dismantling of the catalytic converter is also economically efficient because of the valuable precious metals it contains.

Car2Car: Rigorous research for efficient recycling.
The BMW Group also supports external research efforts into how innovative recycling processes can conserve resources and increase economic efficiency. In the Car2Car research project, subsidised by the Federal German government, the RDC provides both expertise and end-of-life vehicles. Over the past year, the project has developed methods that make it possible to utilise a much greater share of recyclable materials from end-of-life vehicles in the production of new cars, especially steel, aluminium, copper, glass and plastics.

The BMW Group has taken on the role of consortium leader in the Car2Car consortium and is collaborating with members of the recycling industry, raw material processing companies and scientists. The mid-term review of the project shows great interim progress in evaluating the economic and environmental impacts of different recycling processes. The exchange of knowledge and collaborative analysis have led to new perspectives on the recycling of residual materials, providing a solid foundation on which to build innovative processes. For example, scientists and industry experts are jointly designing semi-automated dismantling processes that will enable the cost-effective separation of recyclable materials.

Circular design for a closed material cycle.
Any knowledge gained at the RDC about the recyclability of components and materials is already incorporated into the BMW Group’s product development. By applying the principles of Re:Think, Re:Duce, Re:Use and Re:Cycle, the BMW Group aims to ensure that vehicles are available as a source of raw materials for new cars at the end of their useful life, which in Germany is on average 21 years. A key factor in these efforts is the use of mono-materials instead of composites, as they are easier to recycle thanks to their greater purity.

Production processes at the BMW Group’s plants around the world are also being revised based on the RDC’s findings: in new vehicle production, preference is given to methods that facilitate the dismantling of components and the separation of materials by type. For example, gluing has been replaced by innovative joining solutions.

Closed-loop recycling for high-voltage batteries.
As electromobility becomes more widespread, the recycling of high-voltage batteries is increasingly becoming another top priority. For many years, the RDC has been working in partnership with industry and academia to develop innovative methods to recycle BEV batteries.

Once again, the RDC is setting the pace on the road to circularity. Over the past three decades, it has repeatedly supported the development of new models, materials, and technologies by providing advances in recycling. Now, in the age of electromobility, the RDC has taken on the additional task of gathering in-depth expertise on the reuse of valuable resources and making it widely available to the recycling industry. In this way, the RDC is consistently expanding its role as a centre of excellence for vehicle recycling. At a time when the circular economy is becoming increasingly important for the future of the automotive industry, the RDC’s expertise and skills are in greater demand than ever.

Please contact us if you have any questions:

BMW Group, Press and Public Relations

Diana Schaidnagel, Press Officer Sustainability BMW Group

Phone: +49-151-601-38407

E-mail: Diana.Schaidnagel@bmw.de

Isabel Richter, Team Leader Sustainability Communications BMW Group

Phone: +49-151-601-53189

E-mail: Isabel.Richter@bmw.de

Internet: https://newsroom.bmwgroup.com/global/en

E-mail: presse@bmwgroup.com

The BMW Group

With its four brands BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad, the BMW Group is the world’s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles and also provides premium financial and mobility services. The BMW Group production network comprises over 30 production sites worldwide; the company has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.

In 2023, the BMW Group sold over 2.55 million passenger vehicles and more than 209,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax in the financial year 2023 was € 17.1 billion on revenues amounting to € 155.5 billion. As of 31 December 2023, the BMW Group had a workforce of 154,950 employees.

The success of the BMW Group has always been based on long-term thinking and responsible action. The company set the course for the future at an early stage and consistently makes sustainability and efficient resource management central to its strategic direction, from the supply chain through production to the end of the use phase of all products. 

www.bmwgroup.com

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/bmw-group/

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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bmwgroup

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bmwgroup

X: https://www.x.com/bmwgroup

Michigan, USA. At an award ceremony at the 2024 Center for Automotive Research Seminar, Altair presented the BMW Group with this year’s prestigious Enlighten Award in the Sustainable Process category, celebrating the premium manufacturer’s progress in innovation. The annual award recognizes innovative lightweight construction and sustainability solutions across the global automotive industry that reduce carbon emissions, minimize water and energy consumption, and promote materials reuse and recycling.

The BMW Group received the award for the BMW M Visionary Materials Seat on the grounds that the research project is a precursor of future product development: Standout achievements were the sustainable seat design and the focus on the entire product lifecycle, making it one of the most innovative and visionary sustainable developments in the global automotive sector.

In addition to BMW M GmbH as the project owner, BMW Group Designworks was responsible for the design, color and material concept of the seat in collaboration with the BMW design team. The project was realized in close cooperation with several partners: Automotive Management Consulting GmbH, Bcomp Ltd, Gradel Lightweight Sàrl and Lasso Ingenieurgesellschaft mbH.

Key themes: design for circularity, lightweight construction and attractive product

As a platform for research on the development of future materials, the award-winning seat focuses on the following key themes: 

First, driving the use of plant-based materials and, as part of design for circularity, raising the share of secondary raw materials and increasing recyclability at the end of the lifecycle.

In addition, the team aimed to develop an attractive product in terms of its appearance, quality, lightweight construction and functionality. The minimalist design leaves the lightweight seat structure visible, highlighting its status as a core component. Intensive lifecycle assessments (LCA) complemented the design at each stage of development.

Falco Hollmann, Innovation Manager Lightweight Design & Sustainability at BMW M GmbH, accepted the award: “We are showing today what will be possible tomorrow with existing technologies and materials in order to take our efforts to reduce emissions and conserve resources to the next level. This is about more than just substituting materials; it is above all about designing for circularity.”

Use of natural materials

The core premise of the project was to make the leap to the future while working within today’s framework. The evaluation of available material classes with a high SQR (secondary raw material quota) showed that natural materials are the ideal complement. For example, the seat features natural fibers, fiber composites, leather alternatives and algae-based polymers.

Carbon footprint reduced by 90 percent

The seat’s CO₂e footprint is 90 percent lower than a BMW M carbon bucket seat made today, thanks to the use of ultra-light, robotically-wound fiber composite seat support structures and materials of natural origin as well as the high recycling rate. In addition, lower module complexity and the use of materials grouped by type make it easier to recycle the seat at the end of its lifecycle. The additive manufacturing processes used are also groundbreaking: A new technology made it possible to completely eliminate support structures, chemical post-treatment and finishing from the M BMW Visionary Materials Seat. Other priorities included a flat value creation chain and a minimum of finishing steps to save energy and conserve resources.

Lessons learned for future processes 

“One of our biggest lessons was the balancing, in other words, how to model our process chain to generate missing primary data,” explains Roberto Rossetti, Head of Development Total Vehicle-Lifecycle at the BMW Group. “The data obtained provides new insights, both in terms of today’s negative contributing factors and the design of tomorrow’s processes. This experience provides a solid foundation for continuously improving sustainability and developing innovative solutions for forward-thinking mobility.”

Munich. The BMW Group is now powering exhaust purification in its first paint shops electrically. Thanks to a new method, the high temperatures needed for the thermal purification of exhaust from paint booths and drying areas can now be generated by electricity. With that, a further production process can now be carried out without using natural gas.

Michele Melchiorre, Head of Production System, Planning, Tool Shop, Plant Construction at the BMW Group: “For other energy-intensive paint shop processes, such as vehicle drying and water heating, solutions already exist for working without natural gas. So, electric exhaust purification is the final steppingstone for the BMW Group to run its paint shops on regenerative energy in the future.”

The first systems have already been tested at Plant Regensburg and BMW Brilliance in China, and Plant Dingolfing has converted a painting line for the new system to be used in series production. When the BMW Group’s newest plant goes on stream in Debrecen in 2025, it will use only the new method.

eRTO: The gas-free alternative

eRTO (electric regenerative thermal oxidation) is a process whereby gaseous or vaporous substances are burned off at temperatures of up to 1,000° Celsius. Unlike previous methods, it runs purely on electricity.

Before being released into the atmosphere via chimneys, exhaust from paint booths and drying areas is purified to prevent paint shop solvents from harming the environment. This is done by passing it through a bed of ceramic media, where the solvent residues are burned off. To do this, the air has to be heated up to very high temperatures in a short space of time. The energy needed to do this could previously only be provided by natural gas. But the innovative eRTO system now makes it possible to purify exhaust without fossil fuels and use electricity from renewable sources instead.

Electricity not gas – ceramic media retain heat

The eRTO system is installed between the painting booth, drying process and chimney. Thermal energy is recovered by a flat, two-metre-deep ceramic bed where temperatures reach up to 1,000° Celsius and which serves as a recuperator. Electrical heating rods heat the surrounding ceramics, and because most of the heat is retained, with only small amounts escaping, a connected load of just a few hundred kilowatts is sufficient to run the system.

Use in series production at new plant in Debrecen

The eRTO system was initially function-tested in ongoing paint shop operations at BMW Group Plant Regensburg. It is being further validated at BMW Brilliance Plant Lydia in China, where an eRTO system is used to purify exhaust from the drying system for car bonnets. The first European BMW Group facility to use the technology in series paint shop operations is Plant Dingolfing, where the first of four paint lines has already been converted for electric exhaust purification. More such systems are planned for the production network, and the new plant in Debrecen will purify paint shop exhaust only by eRTO.

Munich/Basel. Hydrogen as a sustainable source of energy and movement is the central theme of BMW's program at this year's Art Basel in Basel. BMW, which has been a partner of Art Basel for 20 years, has commissioned London-based artist Es Devlin to create a series of multi-media works which will be unveiled on 10 June. In Hall 1.1 of the art fair Devlin has created a booth displaying four works: Surfacing (2024), Surfacing II (2024), Mask (2018), and Mask in Motion (2018). As an opening chapter, Devlin and BMW also present a series of mobile sound installations within a pilot fleet of BMW iX5 Hydrogen vehicles* which have been enveloped in prints of Devlin’s collaged paintings. Passengers are invited to listen in on the artist’s conversation with BMW engineers about the potential of hydrogen.

“The works on innovation and mobility created by Es Devlin for Art Basel offer an impressive example of how technology can serve as inspiration for art,” says Michael Rath, Head of Hydrogen Vehicles, BMW Group. “We are very proud of the radiance of the BMW Group's pioneering hydrogen technology.”

The BMW iX5 Hydrogen: Pioneer and trailblazer of BMW’s technological expertise.
As a versatile energy source, hydrogen will play a key role in the energy transition and thus in climate protection. The BMW iX5 Hydrogen combines the advantages of locally emission-free electric drive with the driving pleasure typical of the brand. Another advantage: the quick and uncomplicated refuelling process. The company is currently testing the vehicle with hydrogen fuel cell technology in selected countries under everyday conditions. The world tour of the pilot fleet will now make a stop at Art Basel 2024, where the innovative hydrogen vehicles will be available as a shuttle service.

For the BMW Group, the pilot project is an expression of its open-technology approach to the mobility of tomorrow. The hydrogen fuel cell technology provides an additional supplement to battery-electric drive systems.

The powertrain of the vehicle developed on the basis of the BMW X5 consists of an innovative combination of fuel cells with an output of 125 kW/170 hp, which uses energy from gaseous hydrogen to drive an electric motor from the BMW Group's Gen 5 programme together with a specially developed battery. This generates a maximum system output of 285 kW/401 hp. The hydrogen tanks of the BMW iX5 Hydrogen can be refuelled within three to four minutes and enable a range of 504 kilometres according to the WLTP test cycle.

Es Devlin to create a series of multi-media works which will be unveiled on 10 June at Art Basel in Basel 2024.
In Hall 1.1 of the art fair Devlin has created a booth displaying four works: Surfacing (2024), an illuminated cube of rain penetrated by a line of light and Surfacing II (2024), a pair of painted televisions in which a dancing figure appears to displace pixels and pigment, are flanked by Mask (2018) a projection-mapped model city fusing hands and river, and Mask in Motion (2018) a revolving illuminated translucent printed city which meshes viewers within its kinetic shadow.

Each work continues Devlin's 30 year exploration of the entangled dance between humans and technology. The booth surprises visitors each hour as Surfacing's box of rain, like a magician's apparatus, conjures a 7 minute dance work by renowned Paris-based choreographer Sharon Eyal with music composed by London-based duo Polyphonia. 

A meeting of artist and engineers.
Devlin has spent the past year engaging with engineers at BMW, learning the mechanics behind the hydrogen fuel cell technology and its implications for the future of sustainable energy systems. As an opening chapter to the works on view in Hall 1.1, she has created a simple soundscape drawn from their conversations and underscored by composers Polyphonia which is played to guests in the pilot fleet of BMW iX5 Hydrogen vehicles.

Devlin says: “I learned from the BMW engineers the beautiful symmetry of the system at work within the hydrogen fuel cell: the energy that is used to separate hydrogen atoms from oxygen is recreated when the oxygen is reunited with hydrogen within the car. The by-product is not only the energy which propels the vehicle, but water.”

The exterior of the BMW iX5 Hydrogen has been wrapped in a painted blue and white collage in which Devlin overlays paintings and text made in response to the prints and literature which populated her wall and bookshelves as a teenager. Painted gestures echoing the 1831 woodcut ‘The Great Wave off Kanagawa’ by Japanese artist Katsushika Hokusai, are superimposed over hand written extracts from literature’s longest sentence about water drawn from James Joyce’s seminal novel ‘Ulysses’. Underlying the collage are excerpts from BMW Group publications on hydrogen fuel cell technology.

SURFACING.
Visitors can sign up to book their seat at the hourly rituals here.
Thursday, 13 June - Sunday, 16 June 2024
Art Basel in Basel, Hall 1.1
Messeplatz 10, 4005 Basel, Switzerland

The BMW Group Change Maker Fellowship builds on the long-term partnership between ESMT and the BMW Group. After supporting displaced women from Ukraine and young professionals from Central and Eastern Europe, the 2024 edition will focus on digitalization to cultivate tech-savvy future leaders in key countries.

“We at the BMW Group are deeply committed to making positive changes in the world. We also recognize that a multilateral and decentralized approach must be taken to achieve this goal. Therefore, I am very delighted that we are partnering again with ESMT to support young professionals. It is our common goal to help them become the leaders we need to shape future individual mobility”, says Ilka Horstmeier, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, People and Real Estate, and Labour Relations Director.

“The integration of technical and business knowledge is crucial to develop leaders capable of addressing the complex challenges of the future, thereby making a significant positive impact on their organizations and society,” adds Jörg Rocholl, President of ESMT. “I am delighted to continue our partnership with BMW Group. With their support, we are able to cultivate the next generation of change makers and innovators.”

The ESMT Global Online MBA is the first completely online program at the international business school. Decision-making, analytics, and innovation are at the core of the program. The innovative course design is modular and allows students to study at times that fit their schedules and at their own pace. Students may complete the program in 24 months or take up to five years. There is no physical attendance required, so students may participate from any location.

BMW Group Change Maker Fellowship application requirements include:

• ESMT Global Online MBA general application requirements
• Hold an undergraduate degree, or current employment, in mathematics and/or technology (e.g., computing, information technology, automation, digitalization)
• Be aged 30 or younger on September 1, 2024
• Be a citizen or permanent resident of Germany, India, Portugal, Romania, or South Africa; those holding refugee status in Germany are also invited to apply.
• When applying for the BMW Group Change Maker Fellowships, candidates will be asked to answer the following question: the BMW Group seeks to actively shape the future of mobility; what aspect of a digital future fascinates you the most and why?
  
  

In total, the BMW Group currently employs over 9,400 people worldwide in IT & software development. It has been pooling the company's IT expertise in IT and software hubs worldwide since 2018. In addition to the locations in Germany, South Africa, the USA, Portugal and China, there are now two more in Romania and India. The hubs have their own distinctive tech culture and a high degree of autonomy, making them attractive places to work for regional talent pools. This is why we are offering the 2024 Change Maker Fellowships with focus on digitalization to select countries of our BMW Group IT-Hub network.

More information on the fellowship and the application process may be found here.

If you have any questions, please contact:

BMW Group Corporate Communications

Milena Pighi
Communications Human Resources, Working Environment, Real Estate, Corporate Citizenship
Spokesperson Corporate Citizenship
Email: milena.pa.pighi@bmw.de
Telephone: +49-89-382-66563
Media website: https://newsroom.bmwgroup.com/global/en
Email: presse@bmwgroup.com

ESMT Berlin
Kim Matthies
PR Manager
Email: kim.matthies@esmt.org
Telephone: +49-151-1457-1830

The BMW Group

With its four brands BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad, the BMW Group is the world’s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles and also provides premium financial and mobility services. The BMW Group production network comprises over 30 production sites worldwide; the company has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.

In 2023, the BMW Group sold over 2.55 million passenger vehicles and more than 209,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax in the financial year 2023 was € 17.1 billion on revenues amounting to € 155.5 billion. As of 31 December 2023, the BMW Group had a workforce of 154,950 employees.

The success of the BMW Group has always been based on long-term thinking and responsible action. The company set the course for the future at an early stage and consistently makes sustainability and efficient resource management central to its strategic direction, from the supply chain through production to the end of the use phase of all products.

www.bmwgroup.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/BMWGroup
Twitter: http://twitter.com/BMWGroup
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/BMWGroupView
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bmwgroup
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bmw-group/

About ESMT Berlin
ESMT Berlin is a leading global business school with its campus in the heart of Berlin. Founded by 25 global companies, ESMT offers master, MBA, and PhD programs, as well as executive education on its campus in Berlin, in locations around the world, online, and in online blended format. Focusing on leadership, innovation, and analytics, its diverse faculty publishes outstanding research in top academic journals. Additionally, the international business school provides an interdisciplinary platform for discourse between politics, business, and academia. ESMT is a non-profit private institution of higher education with the right to grant PhDs and is accredited by AACSB, AMBA, EQUIS, and ZEvA. It is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion across all its activities and communities.

Munich. Nature-driven design approaches are the main focus of this year’s munich creative business week (mcbw). “The theme of ‘How to co-create with nature’ is so interesting because it doesn’t view nature, technology and people separately, but focuses on the correlations between them,” says Adrian van Hooydonk, Head of BMW Group Design. “It fosters new types of living and working in a community, and the array of possibilities will change both the design of products and society’s interaction with them.”

New Modes IV / “New Relations with Nature”

For the BMW Group, sustainability is not only a matter of electrifying vehicles, but also moving towards a consistent circular economy. This approach is about using resources more efficiently, closing material cycles and adapting design processes accordingly. This is why the BMW Group Design Team, in partnership with Die Neue Sammlung – The Design Museum, is dedicating this fourth event in the New Modes series to the topic of “New Relations with Nature”. At the panel discussion, the interdisciplinary experts Anna Goldhofer, Martina Maier and Johanna Seelemann will talk about how a new kind of relationship to nature can open up new perspectives for design and technological progress. A circular economy expert at the BMW Group, Anna Goldhofer has been working on the topic from the perspective of different purchasing and development units for the past six years. Johanna Seelemann heads a design studio that researches material cultures related to everyday objects. Architect Martina Maier serves as the Sustainability Specialist at Snøhetta, a transdisciplinary studio, and is responsible for implementing sustainable strategies in architecture and design.

“I Am Nature”. Designing with nature in mind

An experimental event hosted at the Munich office of Designworks, the BMW Group’s innovation studio, will explore what it means for designers to see themselves as part of nature. Titled “I Am Nature”, the event will tackle questions such as how to express principles of nature in design and new aesthetic trends that arise as creatives apply a “nature mindset”.

Those who prefer to explore circular economy topics hands-on are invited to the RE:BMW Circular Lab workshops at BMW Welt.

Conversations with BMW Group experts

As part of the BMW Group’s continued involvement in mcbw, the 2024 speaker roster comprises numerous experts from the company who will share their knowledge at different events:

Daniela Bohlinger, Senior Expert Innovation Management of the BMW Group, will be a keynote speaker at the mcbw design summit. Corinna Exner, Specialist in User Interface and User Experience Design, is one of the experts from leading companies on the DDX ’24 Munich Speaker Board – Innovation & UX Conference; her topic at the event: “The customisation of your driving experience”. Holger Hampf, Head of BMW Group Designworks, will be part of a live event, DESIGNBUS: Mobility, and will show his favourite places around Munich while sharing what inspires him as he co-creates the future.

At the 13^th rendition of Germany’s biggest design event, the munich creative business week brings together experts, companies and students of design, architecture and business to engage in a cross-disciplinary debate of current trends. The BMW Group has been a dedicated cooperation partner of mcbw since its launch in 2012. This year’s event is scheduled for 11 to 19 May.

For further programme information and to register for individual events, please see the enclosed list or go to https://www.mcbw.de/en/program.

If you have any questions, please contact:

Press and Public Relations

Michaela Martinus, Spokesperson BMW Group Design

Phone: +49-160-963-13773

Email: Michaela.Martinus@bmw.de

Steven Wörns, Spokesperson BMW Group Design

Phone: +49-151-601-16992

Email: Steven.Woerns@bmw.de

Website: https://newsroom.bmwgroup.com/global/en

Email: presse@bmw.de

The BMW Group

With its four brands BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad, the BMW Group is the world’s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles and also provides premium financial and mobility services. The BMW Group production network comprises over 30 production sites worldwide; the company has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.

In 2023, the BMW Group sold over 2.55 million passenger vehicles and more than 209,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax in the financial year 2023 was € 17.1 billion on revenues amounting to € 155.5 billion. As of 31 December 2023, the BMW Group had a workforce of 154,950 employees.

The success of the BMW Group has always been based on long-term thinking and responsible action. The company set the course for the future at an early stage and consistently makes sustainability and efficient resource management central to its strategic direction, from the supply chain through production to the end of the use phase of all products.

www.bmwgroup.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/BMWGroup

Twitter: http://twitter.com/BMWGroup

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/BMWGroupView

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bmwgroup

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bmw-group/

Munich / Hanover. The BMW Group showcased current fields of application for the Catena-X data ecosystem at the Hannover Messe on Wednesday. Working together with partners and suppliers, the company has modelled a complete data chain for the first time using real-world CO₂ data from the manufacture of the iconic kidney grille on the BMW iX. The company also demonstrated the benefits of data-driven quality work. 

“We – the BMW Group and our partners – will use the radical new collaboration approach embodied by Catena-X to improve our value creation processes within the context of sustainability, supply security and quality – and at the same time reduce costs,” announced Oliver Ganser, Vice President Digitalisation of the Purchasing and Supplier Network at the BMW Group and Chairman of the Board of Catena-X e.V., at the Hannover Messe. “The more national and international companies come on board, the greater the added value for all concerned,” added Ganser.

Catena-X makes its debut in production.
At BMW Group Plant Landshut, the company is piloting data-based energy consumption measurement in the manufacture of a whole component for the first time. “Together with our partners, we are using the Catena-X data ecosystem to calculate the product carbon footprint (PCF) of the kidney grille on the BMW iX,” explained Sabrina Schrangl, Project Lead Catena-X BMW Group Component Manufacturing. The iconic kidney grille on the BMW iX serves as an optimum application example here due to its complexity.

The PCF is calculated based on the Catena-X rulebook and covers all “grade-to-gate” emissions generated during the product’s manufacture – starting with the extraction of the raw materials, through the emissions generated in the supply chain to the manufacturing processes at the production facility. Here, the partners use the Catena-X-certified CO₂ application from Siemens AG, which enables data exchange (based on the Catena-X calculation logic) and connectivity between Plant Landshut and high-performance plastics supplier Covestro AG.

Catena-X enables improved quality at the BMW Group by using a data-driven instead of hardware-based approach.
By introducing a shared “language” for all companies in the automotive value chain, the data ecosystem enables smooth exchange of data. Catena-X members can use this data in their quality assurance processes to carry out an early-warning analysis based on field data. At present, the BMW Group exchanges data with Robert Bosch GmbH on the particle sensor and steering gear, among other things. In this way, patterns and anomalies can be identified up to four months earlier, often before an error or fault occurs. In the future, we will look to replace alternative cooperation channels with Catena-X in order to enable rapid, resource-efficient implementation in the area of quality assurance.

• The Intercultural Innovation Hub (IIH) – an initiative of UNAOC and the BMW Group, with the support of Accenture – connects people and cultures, empowers grassroots organizations and elevates intercultural innovation.
• A second in-person capacity-building workshop was hosted in São Paulo, Brazil, following a series of online and offline sessions as part of the IIH comprehensive support programme.
• Participants include representatives of global grassroots initiatives from Australia, Brazil, Colombia, Germany, Guatemala, Indonesia, Israel, Jordan, and Mexico that are recipients of the current edition.
• The workshop featured various training sessions, reflections with IIH alumni from Brazil and key stakeholder visits.

São Paulo , Brazil. The Intercultural Innovation Hub (IIH), an initiative of UNAOC and the BMW Group, with the support of Accenture, empowers international grassroots organizations championing diversity, integration and social inclusion. The second in-person capacity-building workshop for recipients of the current edition of the IIH took place in São Paulo, Brazil from 17 to 22 March 2024 and focused on strengthening their capacities and expanding the impact of their projects. This is part of a holistic support programme with the aim of promoting innovative projects that contribute to inclusive societies worldwide.  

In-person workshop of the IIH addressed key topics such as sustainable funding strategy, leadership and culture
After a series of interactive discussions and training sessions, representatives of global grassroots initiatives from Australia, Brazil, Colombia, Germany, Guatemala, Indonesia, Israel, Jordan, and Mexico that were honoured in May 2023 at a ceremony held in Berlin, Germany came together for the second in-person workshop of the IIH in São Paulo, Brazil. It focused on key topics such as sustainable funding strategy, leadership and culture.

The workshop featured a visit to Mais Diferenças – a current IIH recipient organization based in São Paulo – during which participants learned about their “Literature in Multiple Formats” initiative and its efforts to provide inclusive and accessible reading resources for individuals of all abilities. The IIH recipients also interacted with alumni from previous editions of IIH from Brazil, including those from organizations such as Politize!, Usina da Imaginação and Vaga Lume Association, who shed light on their challenges, lessons learned, and their approaches to sustainability and innovation. Over the course of the week-long workshop, participants also learned more about the work, mandates, and activities of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and United Nations Global Compact during visits to their São Paulo offices.

The São Paulo workshop was part of a year-long tailor-made comprehensive support package provided to IIH recipients. Since their selection, recipients engaged in a series of intensive virtual and face-to-face trainings, including an in-person workshop in Munich that focused on the topics of organizational development strategy, sustainable project scaling, as well as pitching and effective storytelling.

Meeting global challenges together
Established in 2011, IIH is a prime example of the essential role that corporate social responsibility plays within the framework of the United Nations. UNAOC and the BMW Group, with the support of Accenture, jointly mobilize their resources, time, and networks to support the IIH recipients. As each partner contributes their unique knowledge to ensure the long-term success of each project, this partnership approach has proven to achieve greater impact.

For more information about the Intercultural Innovation Hub, please visit https://interculturalinnovation.org/.

Voices from the IIH organisations
“The Intercultural Innovation Hub (IIH) has surpassed my expectations. It connects inspirational nonprofit leaders and provides exceptional support and guidance. IIH has been a transformative experience for me and our organization, and we are now part of a dedicated alumni network committed to global changemaking.” – Aleem Ali (Australia), CEO of Welcoming Australia

“Being part of the Hub has been an invaluable opportunity for collaboration, learning, and growth.It has also allowed us to connect with a global network of individuals and institutions committed to promoting intercultural dialogue and generating positive impact." – Alba Carrasco (Guatemala), CEO of Fundación Ixcanul

“The Intercultural Innovation Hub (IIH) creates a space for people from all over the world who prove that terms like ‘like-minded’, ‘passionate’ and ‘dedication’ can be so much more than hollow phrases. A space to support and encourage each other, develop ideas, projects and missions together to make the world a more just place.” – Martha Dudzinski (Germany), Managing Partner of SWANS Initiative

“We are in a place where we can grow sustainably at a quicker pace than at any other time in our history, and that is largely down to the support and guidance of the Intercultural Innovation Hub.” – Jonathan Hamilton (Indonesia), Founder and CEO of Inspire

“The Intercultural Innovation Hub (IIH) has supported our work in two main ways — first through ongoing capacity-building, and second, and equally as important as the first, by connecting us with a cohort of leaders who are thought partners. My only hope is that we truly stay engaged as alumni and keep growing together.” – Hela Lahar (Israel), CEO of Tech2Peace

“This has been a transformative experience. It has allowed me to scale my work by providing financial support and expert mentoring to tackle some of our most pressing issues. It also connected me with a group of global changemakers. This recognition has played a pivotal role in our growth.” – Lynn Malkawi, Founder and Director of the Jordanian organization Wasel for Awareness and Education

“Through an exceptional combination of training, expert support, funding, and exchanges with peers from all over the world, the Intercultural Innovation Hub (IIH) has been decisive for the institutional strengthening of my organization and for my development as a professional.” – Thaís Martins (Brazil), Advocacy Coordinator of Mais Diferenças

“The Intercultural Innovation Hub (IIH) has integrated me into an international community of changemakers that support and uplift each other. Being part of the Hub has paved the way to new opportunities for collaboration.” – Gabriela de la Torre (México), Director of Programa Adopte un Talento (PAUTA)

If you have any questions, please contact:

BMW Group Corporate Communications
Milena Pighi
Corporate and Governmental Affairs
Spokesperson Corporate Citizenship
Email: milena.pa.pighi@bmw.de
Telephone: +49-89-382-66563

Media website: https://newsroom.bmwgroup.com/global/en
Email: presse@bmwgroup.com

United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC)
Alessandro Girola
Chief, Programming and Projects Unit
Email: alessandrog@unops.org

• The Intercultural Innovation Hub (IIH) of UNAOC and the BMW Group, with the support of Accenture, connects people and cultures, empowers grassroots organizations and elevates intercultural innovation.
• Innovative projects championing diversity, integration and social inclusion will be selected to scale up their impact and achieve sustainable growth.
• Participants of the Hub will benefit from a financial grant of up to USD 20,000 in addition to a comprehensive capacity-building programme, international workshops, customized support and mentorship, as well as membership to an exclusive global platform.
• Deadline is: 25 March 2024 at https://www.interculturalinnovation.org/

Munich/New York. Every day, at the forefront of addressing intercultural challenges through social innovations, the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) and the BMW Group, with the support of Accenture, are pleased to announce the 2024 cycle of the Intercultural Innovation Hub.

Through the Intercultural Innovation Hub (IIH), we continue to connect people and cultures, empower grassroots organizations, as well as elevate and scale up innovative approaches that contribute to inclusive societies.

To this end, we invite grassroots organizations that promote intercultural dialogue and understanding as well as social inclusion to apply. Selected organizations will benefit from a comprehensive support programme designed to expand the impact of their projects.

The Intercultural Innovation Hub will select up to 10 projects focused on addressing xenophobia and hate speech, preventing violent extremism; promoting gender equality; using sport, art and culture as tools to drive social change and foster social inclusion; and building inclusive and cohesive societies.

Selected recipients will receive:

Financial support for sustainable growth: Each finalist will receive up to USD 20,000 to scale up the sustainability of their project and accelerate the impact of their work.

Year-long capacity-building programme: Selected recipients also will benefit from a year-long series of capacity-building workshops, focused support, and customized mentoring provided by UNAOC and the BMW Group, with the support of Accenture.

Access and membership to a global leadership platform: Recipients will have an opportunity to extend their spheres of influence, collaborate with other changemakers, and take part in regional and international events by becoming part of a global leadership network.

To apply, please read the eligibility criteria and complete your application no later than 5 p.m. (EDT) on 25 March 2024 at
http://www.interculturalinnovation.org/application-process

If you have any questions, please contact:

BMW Group Corporate Communications
Milena Pighi
Corporate and Governmental Affairs
Spokesperson Corporate Citizenship
Email: milena.pa.pighi@bmw.de
Telephone: +49-89-382-66563

Media website: https://newsroom.bmwgroup.com/global/en
Email: presse@bmwgroup.com

United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC)
Alessandro Girola
Chief, Programming and Projects Unit
Email: alessandrog@unops.org

Munich/Hamburg. The partnership announced in March 2023 between BMW Motorrad Motorsport and NORDOEL has led to the development of a fuel aimed at reducing the environmental impact of racing. By integrating advanced technologies and sustainable production processes, a fuel has been developed that not only keeps engine performance but also significantly reduces CO₂ emissions during the production phase. The CO₂-reduced fuel RacE-Fuel WSBK R40-A, with a regenerative share of at least 40%, will officially debut at the start of the FIM Superbike World Championship (WorldSBK) season in Australia.

Real-world testing.

The initial tests with the alternative fuel were successfully completed in January in Jerez, Spain, and Portimao, Portugal. This was preceded by countless hours of development on the engine test facilities in Munich. During the tests in southern europe, the ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team, Bonovo action BMW Racing Team, and BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Test Team optimised the efficiency and performance of the alternative fuel for motorsports. The competitiveness and readiness for use of the regenerative fuel RacE-Fuel WSBK R40-A, with a minimum of 40% “non-fossil” content as mandated by the FIM regulations for 2024, were confirmed. Thus, the RacE-Fuel WSBK R40-A becomes the first regenerative fuel based on MtG (Methanol-to-Gasoline). Development work continues to deepen the insights from previous experiments and identify potential areas for optimisation.

The partnership between BMW Motorrad Motorsport and NORDOEL remains a pioneer in the development of sustainable technologies in motorsports. Both companies are firmly committed to further reducing the environmental impact in racing.

“Due to the regulations in FIM WorldSBK, the use of fuels with a non-fossil content of at least 40 percent will be mandatory starting this season. We are very pleased to have found a partner with tremendous expertise in NORDOEL,” says Christian Gonschor, Technical Director BMW Motorrad Motorsport. “We have worked closely with NORDOEL in the development of such a fuel already last year, and this winter, during the season preparation, we were able to use it successfully without any technical issues. All our bikes were on the track with this new fuel during the tests in Spain and Portugal, and we are convinced of this collaboration.”

“We are very excited about the collaboration with BMW Motorrad Motorsport to develop this innovative fuel RacE-Fuel WSBK R40-A,” said Dirk Wullenweber, Director Commercial Fuel & Marketing of NORDOEL. “Our goal is to create sustainable solutions for the motorsport industry, and this CO₂-reduced fuel is a significant step in that direction. The aim of our collaboration is to develop a 102 octane fuel with 99% CO₂ savings, similar to eFuel 95 Octane (99% renewable).”

Munich. The BMW Group continues to systematically reduce its fleet-wide CO₂ emissions and is making an important contribution to realising its ambitious CO₂ reduction targets for the whole group.

Based on preliminary internal calculations, the BMW Group’s EU fleet-wide emissions came in at 102.1 grams per kilometre (WLTP) for 2023 (2022: 105 grams per kilometre). This represents a reduction of 2.8 percent from the previous year. The BMW Group also outperformed the applicable fleet target limit for the company set by the European Union EU27+2 (EU, Norway, Iceland) of 128.5 grams per kilometre by 26.4 grams in 2023.

Implementation of the BMW Group’s electrification strategy is a key driver for its continuing efforts to reduce fleet-wide emissions.  In 2023, the company sold a total of 376,183 fully-electric vehicles worldwide – 74.4% more than in 2022. The BMW Group’s sales growth for fully-electric vehicles in 2023 therefore outpaced growth in the total BEV market.

With more than 15  fully-electric models in its line-up, the BMW Group aims to continue its successful BEV growth in 2024. One in five of the company’s newly delivered vehicles should have a fully-electric drive train this year; by 2025, it should be one in four. 

In addition to increasing electrification of the BMW Group fleet, continuous further development of conventional drive trains also helped lower CO₂ emissions. The latest update to the drive train kit has further boosted the efficiency of internal combustion engines, especially since autumn 2022.

The BMW Group views continuous emissions reduction across its vehicle fleet as an integral part of its sustainability strategy. By 2030, the company plans to reduce its total CO₂ emissions by at least 40 percent per vehicle from 2019 levels. The aim is to achieve this throughout the entire value chain – from the supply chain to production to the use phase. The BMW Group plans to be climate-neutral no later than 2050.

With these objectives, the BMW Group is pursuing a path that is in line with the Paris climate goal for limiting global warming. The company is the first German automotive manufacturer to join the “Business Ambition for 1.5° C” campaign launched by the Science-Based Targets Initiative and also part of the United Nations’ international Race to Zero campaign.

The delivery figures reported in this press release are provisional and may change up until the BMW Group Report 2023 is published.

Munich/New York. Today, on World Children’s Day, the BMW Group and UNICEF are announcing their long-term partnership under the slogan “BRIDGE. Educating young people for tomorrow, today.”

The partnership will contribute to UNICEF’s global aim to reach 10 million children and young people each year through education. The BMW Group’s long-term support, with an initial commitment over seven years, will help provide science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) education and skills development to children and young people in Africa, Asia and Central and South America. 

STEM-related jobs are the engine of global economic growth, yet millions of these jobs are projected to go unfilled due to a gap in skills. The problem is more acute in low- and middle-income countries and much more prevalent among girls and women. Today, women constitute a minority in both STEM education and careers, representing only 28 per cent of engineering graduates, 22 per cent of artificial intelligence workers and less than one third of tech sector employees globally.

“Young people around the world have the power and creativity to influence societies for the better,” says Georg Graf Waldersee, Chairman of the Board at UNICEF Germany. “We need to empower and support them so they can become the innovators and change makers of tomorrow. Because sustainable transformation and the path to a fairer, safer world begin where young minds come together and discover their potential – in classrooms or working labs. We are proud and grateful that the BMW Group is accompanying and supporting us on this journey as a strong private sector partner.”

“At the BMW Group, we believe that education is the engine that drives the development of our society,” states Ilka Horstmeier, Member of the Board of Management at BMW AG, People and Real Estate, Labour Relations Director. “With UNICEF, we have a long-standing partner at our side who shares this opinion. Therefore, I am beyond delighted that we are joining forces with our global collaboration over the long term from now on. Together, we will bridge the gap between schooling and working life as well as enable the transfer of knowledge.” 

Ilka Horstmeier continues: “With our multinational workforce on five continents, we consider ourselves as a true corporate citizen. It is not only important for us to be engaged on a global level, but also on a local one. That’s why, together with UNICEF, we get involved at the BMW Group sites worldwide. Additionally, it is great that we can give our diverse network of stakeholders the chance to engage and participate in the partnership to ensure basic education for children in crisis situations.”

Following the launch of the collaboration between the BMW Group and UNICEF in South Africa in 2023, the partnership will be expanded in 2024 to Brazil, India, Mexico and Thailand – all of which have programme needs and have BMW Group presence. The collaboration will support programmes ranging from providing laboratory equipment to developing a customized teacher training curriculum, and from mentorships to job-shadowing. With this in mind, the BMW Group is not only providing financial support amounting to two million euros each year until 2030, but also contributing its own expertise and network. 

In addition, in 2024, the BMW Group will join forces with its global network of affiliates and with the involvement of stakeholders to raise funds to support the UNICEF’s work in emergencies and protracted crisis thereby ensuring continuity of children’s learning in safe environments.

For further information, please contact:

BMW Group Corporate Communications
Milena Pighi
Spokesperson Corporate Citizenship
Email: milena.pa.pighi@bmw.de
Telephone: +49-89-382-66563

Bernd Eckstein
Head of Communications Human Resources, Working Environment, Real Estate, Corporate Citizenship
Email: bernd.eckstein@bmw.de
Telephone: +49-89-382-59490

Media website: https://newsroom.bmwgroup.com/global/en
Email: presse@bmwgroup.com

UNICEF
Laila Ali
UNICEF Geneva
Email: laali@unicef.org
Telephone: + 41 76 784 65 32