According to a recent report, Nissan has confirmed an investment of £52 million into its Sunderland facility for enabling the use of recycled and lightweight aluminium for the all-new Qashqai SUV. The automaker has invested in a second extra-large press line and a “cyclone” recycling facility that extracts scrap metal to be used by suppliers for the re-production of sustainable, lightweight aluminium body sheet.
The lightweight recycled aluminium, stamped from aluminium alloy, will be used for the hood, doors, and front fenders of new Qashqai vehicles. Nissan claims that by the use of recycled aluminium, the body of the car will be 60kg lighter than its previous versions, which in turn will improve vehicle efficiency and lifecycle emissions as a result.
As the aluminium alloy is stamped into shape, scrap material is extracted, separated, and returned to suppliers. The suppliers can then turn the scrap into more aluminium alloy for Nissan.
This closed-loop recycling system will reduce waste and carbon emissions and build towards Nissan’s goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.
Nissan’s vice president of manufacturing Alan Johnson said: “We continue to look for ways to make both our vehicles and our manufacturing process more sustainable and the use of lightweight aluminium in the new Qashqai is a great example.”
He added, “We continue to improve the efficiency and sustainability of our manufacturing operations and Sunderland will play a key role in meeting the company’s commitment to carbon neutrality.”
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