The BMW Group is driving the envelope in terms of the circular economy. The new Mini Cooper SE Convertible will be the first in the series to feature alloy wheels made entirely of recycled aluminum.
As a premium manufacturer, we entrenched sustainability in the development from very early on,
The light alloy wheels of the fully electric open-top four-seater are a prime example of sustainable resource use. They represent an important milestone on the road to a circular economy for the BMW Group
Dr. Nicolai Martin, Senior Vice President of Development Automated Driving stated on sustainability
Re: think, Re: duce, Re: use, and Re: cycle
Collaborating with the wheel manufacturer Ronal, the first use of 100% secondary aluminum for light-alloy wheels on a series-production vehicle has occurred.
Consistent use of recycled aluminum conserves raw material sources and removes the particularly energy-intensive electrolysis process required to produce light alloys.
Innovation of the first 100% recycled aluminum alloy wheels aligns with the BMW Group’s four basic principles to ‘Re: think, Re: duce, Re: use and Re: cycle.’
As the world’s first open-top fully electric premium car produced in a small series, the alloy wheels and the entire new Mini Cooper SE Convertible have been rethought regarding sustainability.
Combining a lightweight support wheel of 100% recycled aluminum, aerodynamically optimized real metal inlays, and an innovatively designed center cap provides a distinct selling point that distinguishes the model from the competition.
The support wheel, which is entirely made of recycled light alloy, fully meets the structural requirements and high-quality standards of the BMW Group. At the same time, the inlays optimize the vehicle’s aerodynamic properties, thereby increasing the range of the Mini Cooper SE Convertible.
In other words, the innovative alloy wheels help reduce the vehicle’s carbon footprint in various ways, both during production and while driving.
Significant carbon savings can be obtained by using recycled aluminum
The wheel supplier has been capable of lowering carbon emissions at its manufacturing facility by up to 75% compared to conventionally produced wheels by using secondary materials with a carbon footprint of less than 0.16 kg per kilogram of aluminum. This means reducing carbon emissions from around 130 kg to approximately 30 kg.
The innovative alloy wheels’ outstanding aerodynamic properties and lightweight design also impact the road, with the entire enclosure of the wheel exterior by the inlays significantly reducing drag.
The weight-optimized design reduces the vehicle’s overall unsprung masses, increasing efficiency and allowing the MINI Cooper SE Convertible to deliver the brand’s signature go-kart feel.
Drivers of the Mini Cooper SE Convertible equipped with recycled aluminum alloy wheels are gradually participating in a pilot project to reduce demand for primary raw materials.
These alloy wheels can also be fully recycled at the end of their lifecycle. By participating in this circularity, the BMW Group can continuously reduce the amount of aluminum that must be produced using energy-intensive primary energy procedures.
Secondary raw materials must also meet the BMW Group’s high quality, design, safety, and mechanical properties standards.
For the first time, the BMW Group has created a material cycle for premium quality wheels with the alloy wheels on the MINI Cooper SE Convertible, paving the way for repeated raw material use.
Using 100% recycled aluminum wheels in a small series is the first proof of feasibility for the ambitious circular economy sustainability goals.
Simultaneously, the world premiere of the Mini Cooper SE Convertible lays the groundwork for scaling up the innovative manufacturing process for future large series models.
