Aluminium suppliers Constellium and Novelis have launched Alumobility, a non-profit organisation focused on "providing innovative implementation-ready solutions to advance the adoption of aluminium automotive body sheet".
"This global ecosystem of the leading aluminium producers and downstream technology partners will drive value for automakers and consumers by helping to fulfill the promise of a lighter, more efficient, more sustainable mobility future. Through collaborative technical projects and thought leadership, as well as working in partnership with global automotive manufacturers, Alumobility will help further develop smarter, lighter, safer, and more sustainable vehicles," the two companies said in a statement.
Alumobility has already developed technical studies that address a next-generation aluminium door and all-aluminium structural B-pillar. The resulting products underscore aluminium can effectively compete with other materials for mass production vehicles at an attractive cost to manufacturers, it claims.
"Alumobility is a collaboration of organisations to enthusiastically innovate and demonstrate the advantages of aluminium auto body sheet in vehicle applications," said Pierre Labat, president of Alumobility and VP, global automotive at Novelis. "Our global ecosystem approach is focused on action and leverages the best minds in our industry to support OEMs and deliver aluminium-enabled mobility."
Alumobility represents a commitment of collaboration to further advance the technical capabilities of automotive aluminium body sheet in order to compete with other materials in vehicle design.
"Aluminium offers the promise of a stronger, more collaborative, more sustainable mobility future," said Jack Clark, VP of Alumobility and Constellium's SVP of manufacturing and CTO. "The technical work published by Alumobility will reinforce the vital role of lightweight, sustainable aluminium, particularly for electric vehicles, while increasing recycling and reducing carbon emissions throughout the lifecycle."
An executive director, who will soon be named, will lead the organisation, which is governed by a board of directors representing member companies.
Alumobility will include additional member companies with downstream expertise, such as joining, forming, and other specialised manufacturing processes that actively contribute to increasing the adoption of aluminium auto body sheet. Members will be required to contribute unique technical expertise and support marketing initiatives. All resulting work will be available upon request. The independent member companies will not share commercial or production resources.
