Volvo and Rio team up for sustainable solutions

Volvo Group and Rio Tinto have entered a partnership to work towards decarbonising Rio Tinto’s operations through piloting sustainable autonomous hauling solutions. In turn Rio Tinto will supply responsibly sourced low-carbon products and solutions to the vehicle manufacturer. “We look forward to partnering with Volvo to progress our contribution to a net-zero future, as we collaborate to deliver sustainable outcomes from the mine to the showroom floor," Rio Tinto chief executive Jakob Stausholm said. "We will be working together to support the decarbonisation of Rio Tinto’s operations and deliver low-carbon materials for use in Volvo’s innovative product range, including electric and autonomous vehicles.” The companies will work together to strengthen the supply of responsibly sourced low-carbon materials such as RenewAl aluminium, aluminium produced using the ELYSIS zero-carbon smelting technology, Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI) certified aluminium and Copper Mark certified copper. They will also explore product development opportunities such as supply of lithium for batteries. “We are eager to partner with Rio Tinto, a true collaboration aiming to accelerate our ambitions towards a fossil-free, decarbonized future," Volvo president and chief executive officer Martin Lundstedt said. "By addressing the full value chain, from the use of low-carbon materials in our products, to providing our customers with sustainable autonomous hauling solutions, we can contribute to a better and more sustainable future.” Meanwhile Rio Tinto has brought Matrix Composites and Engineering onboard to develop and manufacture a replacement product for structural steel components to be trialled on the overland conveyor systems at WA iron ore operations. Matrix said it was leveraging its advanced composites technology expertise to create a product that was substantially lighter than steel, decreased handling risk, was more cost-effective to transport than traditional alternatives, was corrosion-free, and 100 per cent recyclable. “Rio Tinto has hundreds of kilometres of overhead conveyors across their WA iron ore operations, and a successful trial of our innovative product will position us to secure larger-scale contracts over the long term,” Matrix chief executive officer Aaron Begley said. “This is a great example of Rio Tinto supporting local industry and Australian technology.“The patented, cost-effective and environmentally efficient solution we are developing can also be utilised across all iron ore, alumina, nickel, gold and other hard rock mining installations, exposing us to a tangible large scale market opportunity.”

Volvo and Rio team up for sustainable solutions

Industry Queensland

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