The World’s First CO₂-Neutral Recycled Wheel

A WHEEL THAT DRIVES INNOVATION

The notion of CO₂-reduced components in the automotive sector is becoming increasingly important. With the RONAL R70-blue, RONAL GROUP is showing that it is possible to manufacture aluminum wheels with a small carbon footprint – reaffirming its role as an innovation and technology leader that cares about the environment and future generations. The RONAL R70-blue, whose product carbon footprint has been certified by TÜV Rheinland, is another milestone in the company's PLANBLUE sustainability concept.

THREE TIMES LESS EMISSIONS

The RONAL R70-blue is manufactured in RONAL GROUP’s German production plant from 100% green electricity generated from hydropower. It consists of 60% secondary aluminum (half of which is pre-consumer and half post-consumer material) and the remainder primary aluminum produced exclusively using renewable energies. In its production, one R70-blue wheel generates 49.6 kg of CO₂. With a European average of 150 kg CO₂ per wheel in the conventional process, this means a 70% reduction in emissions.

SHORT TRANSPORT, BIG IMPACT

CO₂ emissions that cannot be avoided in the production of R70-blue are offset with the help of Gold Standard: an internationally recognized, independent certification standard that promotes CO₂ compensation projects. The “Utsil Naj - healthy homes for all in Mexico” project, supported by RONAL GROUP, is committed to helping people in Mexico who are particularly affected by the consequences of climate change. But the R70-blue also includes other environmentally friendly and social aspects: ecological packaging with grass fiber and recycled paper content, short transport routes from the production plant in Landau to the logistics center in Forst, Germany, and accessories (such as screws and hub caps) that are packaged in workshops for people with disabilities.

THE SECOND ONE CAN DO EVEN BETTER

The RONAL R70-blue is the second sustainable product in RONAL GROUP portfolio after the RONAL R60-blue (a wheel with 20% less emissions than conventional wheels). With the help of undercut technology, the weight has been optimized to 11.9 kg and has a wheel load of 850 kg.

FITS LIKE A GLOVE

The CO₂­-neutral wheel fits numerous compact and mid-range models, but is particularly suitable for the new generation of electric and hybrid cars. For the VW ID.3, the Mercedes A-Class and the Mercedes CLA, the rim is available as an ECE plug-and-drive variant throughout Europe without registration. In addition, combined with low rolling resistance tires, rolling resistance can be minimized, thereby reducing fuel consumption.

CALCULATED, TESTED, CERTIFIED

In order to determine the product carbon footprint of the R70-blue environmental, sustainability officers at RONAL GROUP created an LCA report (Life Cycle Assessment). They have calculated three scenarios that differ in the choice of primary aluminum, the amount of secondary aluminum, and the energy source. The result: Compared with the worst-case scenario, the carbon footprint of the R70-blue was reduced by almost 100 kg CO₂. The study was subsequently critically reviewed by TÜV Rheinland on behalf of RONAL AG in accordance with the international standard DIN EN ISO 14067:2019. This was followed in July 2021 by certification by TÜV Rheinland.

HOW CO₂ EMISSIONS ARE REDUCED

1. The use of primary aluminum with a reduced carbon footprint and of secondary material (pre- and post-consumer aluminum) reduces emissions by 82 kg CO₂.
2. The use of 100% green electricity and the offsetting of natural gas combustion emissions reduce emissions by a further 18 kg CO₂.
3. The remaining CO₂ emissions are fully offset with the help of Gold Standard.

Compared with a wheel produced in Europe, savings of 70% can be achieved in production alone. With the help of offsetting, the end result is a fully CO₂-­neutral wheel.

R70-BLUE: GOOD LOOKING AND ROBUST

With its RONAL R70-blue wheel, RONAL GROUP is making a contribution to the overall concept of Four Motors. For use on the Bioconcept Cars, customized wheels were produced in 18 inches: in jet black, with a white tail and the blue PLANBLUE lettering. “Wheels are an important, safety-relevant part of a vehicle”, says racing driver Smudo. “In motorsport, they not only have to look good, they also have to be exceptionally tough. In races, RONAL GROUP's R70-­blue have shown that wheels made of recycled aluminum are just as durable as those made of primary aluminum, but cause far fewer carbon emissions during production. And that’s great!”