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. 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. 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/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

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

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, 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, 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

Telefon: +49-151-601-53189

E-Mail: Isabel.Richter@bmwgroup.com

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/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.

Munich. The BMW Group is convinced that powerful, innovative, sustainably-produced battery cells will be key to the success of individual electromobility in the future. The company is set to launch a new era of e-mobility from 2025 with the models of its NEUE KLASSE – using newly-developed round battery cells optimised for the new architecture for the first time.

“The newly-developed sixth generation of our lithium-ion cells will bring a huge leap in technology that will increase energy density by more than 20 percent, improve charging speed by up to 30 percent and enhance range by up to 30 percent,” according to Frank Weber, member of the Board of Management of BMW AG responsible for Development. “We are also reducing CO₂ emissions from cell production by up to 60 percent. These are big steps for sustainability and customer benefits.”

“To meet our long-term needs, we will be building battery cell factories with our partners, each with an annual capacity of up to 20 GWh, at six locations in key markets for us: two in China, two in Europe and two in USMCA,” added Joachim Post, member of the Board of Management of BMW AG responsible for Purchasing and Supplier Network. “We have also reached agreement with our partners that they will use a percentage of secondary material for the raw materials lithium, cobalt and nickel, as well as utilising green power for production, to ensure CO₂-reduced manufacturing.”

The BMW Group has already awarded contracts in the two-digit billion-euro range for production of the new BMW battery cells. By leveraging the comprehensive in-house expertise of the company’s own Battery Cell Competence Centre, the team from development, production and purchasing has been able to significantly reduce costs for the high-voltage battery, thanks to the new battery cell and new integration concept for battery technology developed by BMW.Based on current market assumptions, costs can be reduced by up to 50 percent, compared to the current fifth generation. The BMW Group has set itself the goal of bringing manufacturing costs for fully-electric models down to the same level as vehicles with state-of-the-art combustion-engine technology.

Technological advances: new cell format and enhanced cell chemistry

The battery cell is responsible for electric vehicles’ core properties of range, driving performance and charging time. For the sixth generation of BMW eDrive technology used in the NEUE KLASSE, the company has fundamentally refined the cell format and cell chemistry. With the new BMW round cell specially designed for the electric architecture of the NEUE KLASSE models, it will be possible to significantly increase the range of the highest-range model by up to 30 percent (according to WLTP).

The new BMW round cells come with a standard diameter of 46 millimetres and two different heights. Compared to the prismatic cells of the fifth BMW battery cell generation, the nickel content in the sixth-generation BMW round cells is higher on the cathode side, while the cobalt content is reduced. On the anode side, the silicon content will be increased. As a result, the cell’s volumetric energy density will improve by more than 20 percent.

The battery system plays a key role in the body structure of the NEUE KLASSE. Depending on the model, it can be flexibly integrated into the installation space to save space (“pack to open body”). The cell module level is thus eliminated.

The battery, drive train and charging technology in the NEUE KLASSE will also have a higher voltage of 800 volts. Among other things, this will optimise how energy is supplied to direct current high-power charging stations, which can achieve a much higher charging capacity with a current of up to 500 amperes – thus reducing the time it takes to charge the vehicle from 10 to 80 percent by up to 30 percent.

Battery cell factories in China, Europe and USMCA – each with total capacity of up to 20 GWh per year

To supply the battery cells needed for the NEUE KLASSE, the BMW Group has already awarded contracts in the two-digit billion-euro range for construction of battery cell factories to CATL and EVE Energy. Both partners will build two gigafactories in China and Europe. Each of the battery cell factories will have a total annual capacity of up to 20 GWh. Plans call for two more battery cell factories to be built in the North American free trade zone,
USMCA, for which the partners have not yet been nominated.

The three regions where the battery cell factories will be built will also benefit economically from the creation of new supply chains, new networks for subcontractors and new jobs.

CO₂-reduced production using green power and secondary material

The BMW Group is particularly focused on keeping the carbon footprint and consumption of resources for production as low as possible, starting in the supply chain. Cell manufacturers will use cobalt, lithium and nickel that include a percentage of secondary material, i.e. raw materials that are not newly mined, but already in the loop, in production of battery cells. Combined with the commitment to use only green power from renewable energies for production of battery cells, the BMW Group will reduce the carbon footprint of battery cell production by up to 60 percent, compared to the current generation of battery cells.

Reuse of raw materials will be one of the success factors for e-mobility in the future. Circular loops reduce the need for new raw materials, lower the risk of infringing environmental and social standards in the supply chain and generally result in significantly lower CO₂ emissions. That is why the long-term goal of the BMW Group is to use fully recyclable battery cells. In China, the company is currently creating a closed loop for reuse of the raw materials nickel, lithium and cobalt from high-voltage batteries, thus laying the cornerstone of a ground-breaking material cycle.

The cobalt and lithium used as raw materials for the new generation of BMW battery cells will be sourced from certified mines. This means the company retains full transparency over extraction methods and, in this way, can ensure responsible mining. The sourcing of both raw materials from certified mines takes place either directly through the BMW Group or via the battery cell manufacturer.

The BMW Group has been actively involved for many years in initiatives to develop standards for responsible raw material extraction and promote compliance with environmental and social standards for raw material extraction through certification of mines. In this way, the company is also making itself less technologically, geographically and geopolitically dependent on individual resources and suppliers.

Development of future BMW battery cells at in-house competence centres

The BMW Group is constantly working to further develop energy storage systems. For instance, its sixth-generation battery technology also offers the option of using cathodes made of lithium iron phosphate (LFP) for the first time. This means the critical raw materials cobalt and nickel can then be avoided entirely in the cathode material. In parallel, the BMW Group is also pushing forward with development of all-solid-state batteries (ASSBs). The company aims to have high-voltage batteries of this type ready for series introduction by the end of the decade. The BMW Group will present a demonstrator vehicle with this technology on board well before 2025.

The BMW Group has been systematically building expertise in the field of battery cell technology since 2008. Since 2019, this know-how has been concentrated at the BMW Group’s Battery Cell Competence Centre (BCCC) in Munich. The BCCC spans the entire value chain – from research and development to battery cell design to manufacturability.

To ensure innovations in battery cell technology are put into practice quickly and efficiently, the BMW Group relies on a network of around 300 partners, with cooperation between established companies, startups and colleges, among others.

The knowledge gained in this way will be validated at the new Cell Manufacturing Competence Centre (CMCC) in Parsdorf, near Munich, which will begin commissioning near-standard production of samples in late 2022 for the future BMW battery cell generation to be used in the NEUE KLASSE from 2025 onwards.

The pilot line at the competence centre will make it possible to analyse and fully understand the cell production process under near-standard conditions. This will help enable future suppliers produce cells to specifications and according to their own expertise – thus further optimising battery cell production with regard to quality, output and costs.

NEUE KLASSE will make major contribution to sales volumes

With a fast-growing product lineup and high demand, the BMW Group aims to have more than two million fully-electric vehicles on the roads by the end of 2025.

The all-electric NEUE KLASSE will make a significant contribution to BMW Group sales volumes from mid-decade. The NEUE KLASSE has the potential to further accelerate the market penetration of e-mobility: This means 50 percent of the BMW Group’s global sales could already come from fully-electric vehicles before 2030.

The MINI brand will have an exclusively all-electric product range by the early 2030s, while Rolls-Royce will also be an all-electric brand from 2030. All future new models from BMW Motorrad in the field of urban mobility will likewise be fully electric.

If you have any questions, please contact:

BMW Group Corporate Communications

Bernhard Ederer, BMW Group Innovation Communications
Email: Bernhard.Ederer@bmwgroup.com , Tel.: +49 (0) 176 601 28556

Sandra Schillmöller, Communications Purchasing, Supplier Network, Sustainability
Email: Sandra.Schillmoeller@bmwgroup.com, Telephone: +49-89-382-12225

Munich. The BMW Group will begin sourcing aluminium produced using solar electricity with immediate effect. This marks an important milestone on the road to the company’s goal of lowering CO₂ emissions in its supplier network by 20% by 2030. Since producing aluminium is highly energy-intensive, the use of green power – such as solar electricity – offers considerable potential for reducing CO₂ emissions. That is why the BMW Group also plans to source aluminium produced with green power in the long term – enabling it to avoid approx. 2.5 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions over the next ten years. This is equivalent to about three percent of the CO₂ targets the company has set for its supplier network.

“We aspire to lead the way in sustainability and implement our sustainability goals in a systematic manner. We will be able to meet over 50% of our CO₂ targets for the supplier network, just by using green power. The use of solar electricity for producing aluminium is a major step in this direction,” said Dr. Andreas Wendt, member of the Board of Management of BMW AG responsible for Purchasing and Supplier Network.

The aluminium produced using solar power is processed in the light metal foundry at BMW Group Plant Landshut to manufacture body and drive train components, including those needed for electric drive trains, for instance. Sourcing 43,000 tonnes of solar aluminium valued in the three-digit million euros will supply nearly half the annual requirements of the light metal foundry at Plant Landshut.

Use of green power key to reduce CO₂ emissions

The trend towards e-mobility means that a much larger percentage of a vehicle’s lifecycle CO₂ emissions now comes from upstream added value in the supplier network. In an electrified vehicle, CO₂ emissions from the use phase are much lower, but producing battery cells or aluminium is very energy-intensive. Without corrective measures, CO₂ emissions per vehicle in the BMW Group supply chain would increase by more than a third by 2030. The company not only wants to stop this trend, but also reverse it – and even lower CO₂ emissions per vehicle by 20% from 2019 levels.

The BMW Group has therefore already agreed with suppliers for its current fifth-generation battery cells that they will only use green power for producing battery cells.

The BMW Group is now taking the next logical step by sourcing aluminium produced with green power. Because, as e-mobility takes off, aluminium will become increasingly important as a lightweight material that can partially offset the heavy weight of the batteries in electrified vehicles. However, producing aluminium is extremely energy-intensive. Generating the electricity needed to produce primary aluminium, i.e. aluminium obtained directly from the mineral compound alumina, is alone responsible for about 60% of the global aluminium industry’s greenhouse gas emissions. The use of solar electricity is therefore an effective lever for reducing the CO₂ emissions associated with aluminium smelting.

Solar park in the desert supplies green power for aluminium production

The BMW Group already has a long-standing supply relationship for primary aluminium with Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA). EGA has now become the first company in the world to also use solar electricity for commercial production of aluminium, which it will initially supply exclusively to the BMW Group. EGA sources the electricity used to produce the aluminium destined for the BMW Group from the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park in the desert outside of Dubai, which, in the final stage of development, is set to become the world’s largest solar park. It is operated by the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority, which has the electricity it produces sustainably certified by third parties, ensuring that it can supply EGA with power that is traceable and transparent.

Abdulnasser Bin Kalban, Chief Executive Officer of EGA, said: “We are delighted to have the BMW Group as our first customer for low-carbon CelestiAL aluminium from EGA. Aluminium is light, strong and infinitely recyclable. That is why it plays such an important role in the development of a more sustainable society and in making modern life possible. But how sustainably the aluminium is produced is also important. Solar aluminium is a step in the right direction – it uses a natural and abundant source of energy in our desert environment to produce a metal that is vital to the future of our planet.”

Wendt adds: “In EGA, we have found a strong partner who values sustainable development just as much as we do. It is a special honour for us to be the first customer to receive aluminium produced using solar electricity. Aluminium plays an important role in e-mobility and using sustainably produced aluminium is tremendously important to our company.”

Innovative production processes:
light metal foundry at BMW Group Plant Landshut

The light metal foundry is the largest production unit at BMW Group Plant Landshut and the company’s only European manufacturing facility for light metal casting. Last year, the more than 1,600 employees at the light metal foundry at BMW Group Plant Landshut produced a total of 2.9 million cast components. The scope of production includes engine components such as cylinder heads and crankcases, components for electric drive trains and large-scale structural components for vehicle bodies.

The light metal foundry is one of the most state-of-the-art foundries in the world. Its innovative and sustainable production processes have won numerous awards. The light metal foundry also works with shaping sand cores, among other methods, to manufacture cast parts. The sand cores are produced using inorganic binders – making the casting process virtually emission-free. Five different casting methods are used for standard production of cast components. The most suitable casting method is selected, depending on the component concept, technological requirements and production volume.

Certification by Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI)

The light metal foundry at BMW Group Plant Landshut was already certified for its sustainable use of aluminium back in December 2019. It meets the standards of the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI), an international non-profit organisation supported by environmental and industrial associations, NGOs, aluminium producers and processing companies. ASI aims to maximise aluminium’s contribution to a sustainable society and defines sustainability criteria for an environmentally and socially responsible aluminium value chain. Through this initiative, following an audit by an independent third party, the BMW Group received confirmation that its light metal foundry handles aluminium in a conscious and responsible manner.

Responsible use of natural resources

In addition to using green power to produce aluminium, the BMW Group is also taking additional steps to safeguard reserves of critical raw materials. For instance, the BMW Group has set itself the goal of significantly increasing the percentage of recycled raw materials, so-called secondary material, by 2030 and using raw materials multiple times in a circular economy. The use of secondary material reduces CO₂ emissions substantially compared to primary materials and also conserves natural resources.

At the same time, the BMW Group is establishing carbon footprint as a new contract award criterion for its supply chain and already began implementing this for the tenders with the biggest carbon footprint in 2020.

These measures are already delivering results in the BMW iX (power consumption combined: < 21 kWh/100 km in the WLTP* test cycle; CO₂ emissions combined: 0 g/km): Relying on renewable green power to produce battery cells, in combination with increased use of secondary material, reduces CO₂ emissions in the BMW iX supply chain by 17%, compared to the same vehicle produced without these measures.

The BMW Group aims to have more than seven million electrified vehicles on the roads by 2030 – two thirds of them fully-electric. For this order of magnitude, BMW Group Purchasing is working with suppliers to ensure not only that the supply chain can manage the growth in volumes, but also that it can implement the requirements for sustainable development. In this way, BMW Group Purchasing is making a vital contribution to the company’s transformation towards e-mobility.

About Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA)

EGA is the world’s largest producer of “premium aluminium” and was the first company headquartered in the Middle East to join the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative. EGA has supplied the BMW Group with primary aluminium since 2013.

EGA is an integrated aluminium producer, with operations ranging from bauxite mining to refineries and electrolysis, all the way to production of cast primary aluminium.

In 2019, EGA sold 2.6 million tonnes of cast metal. EGA is the only aluminium producer in the United Arab Emirates – making it the fifth-largest aluminium-producing country in the world.

With more than 400 customers in over 50 countries, EGA is one of the largest suppliers of foundry alloys to the automotive industry worldwide. EGA is certified to IATF 16949:2016, the latest global standard established by the automotive industry, which aims to ensure even more rigorous quality management in the global automotive supply chain.

If you have any questions, please contact:

Corporate Communications

Sandra Schillmöller, Corporate Communications, Communications Purchasing and Supplier Network

Email: Sandra.Schillmoeller@bmwgroup.com , Telephone: +49-89-382-12225

Saskia Eßbauer, BMW Group Corporate and Governmental Affairs, Communications Landshut

Email: Saskia.Essbauer@bmw.de, Telephone: +49-871-702-3232,

Eckhard Wannieck, head of Corporate and Culture Communications

Email: Eckhard.Wannieck@bmw.de, Telephone: +49 89 382-24544

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

Email: presse@bmwgroup.com

Contacts at Emirates Global Aluminium

Simon Buerk, Senior Vice President Corporate Affairs

Email: sbuerk@ega.ae, Telephone: +971 56 311 1536

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 31 production and assembly facilities in 15 countries; the company has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.

In 2020, the BMW Group sold over 2.3 million passenger vehicles and more than 169,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax in the financial year 2019 was € 7.118 billion on revenues amounting to € 104.210 billion. As of 31 December 2019, the BMW Group had a workforce of 126,016 employees.

The success of the BMW Group has always been based on long-term thinking and responsible action. The company has therefore established ecological and social sustainability throughout the value chain, comprehensive product responsibility and a clear commitment to conserving resources as an integral part of its strategy.

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