Market launch for Ronal’s carbon-neutral R70-blue

The world’s first carbon neutral wheel comes to market at the end of this month. This is the Ronal R70-blue, and the Ronal Group says it manufactures this passenger car rim using 100 per cent renewable energy and primarily from reused aluminium, a material that’s 100 per cent recyclable.

Ronal has developed the R-70 blue (and similar products) in response to governmental and societal pressure upon both vehicle manufacturers and their suppliers to reduce CO2 emissions. “With the ‘Green Deal’ and its action plan, Europe has set out to become climate neutral by 2050. To achieve this goal, all sectors of the economy must cooperate,” comments Patrick Lämmli, Ronal Group’s executive vice president Group Sales.

“With the new R70-blue, we at the Ronal Group are also doing our part. However, we have not only developed this product to meet requirements. We are also reaffirming our role as an innovation and technology leader who cares about the environment and future generations at the same time.”

75% lower emissions

Ronal Group guarantees compliance with strict sustainability criteria as well as adherence to aluminium quality guidelines through its Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI) membership. It joined the ASI in 2018 and became an industrial member last year. Ronal Group currently purchases more than 92 per cent of its aluminium from ASI members.

Production of the R70-blue at Ronal’s plant in Landau, Germany results in 40 kilogrammes of CO2 emissions per wheel, a reduction of 75 per cent compared with the conventional production process, which on average produces 163 kilogrammes of CO2 per wheel in Europe. The manufacturer compensates for unavoidable CO2 emissions during the process via a Gold Standard certified project.

The Gold Standard is an internationally recognised, independent certification standard that highlights high-quality carbon offset projects that contribute to sustainable development. The Ronal Group supports the ‘Utsil Naj’ – healthy homes for all in Mexico’ project.

“As we have two production facilities in Mexico, the Ronal Group has an important connection to this country and its people,” says Judith Pietschmann, senior manager Group Environment at Ronal Group, explaining the choice of project. “We want to shape climate protection and therefore have clear goals to reduce the carbon footprint of our products, procured goods, production, and logistical processes. We want to set a good example in the area of sustainability and take responsibility for our actions.”

Cradle-to-cradle

Patrick Lämmli states that the Ronal R70-blue’s development is a “logical continuation” of the Ronal Group’s Planblue strategy. “One focus of our sustainability strategy is reducing our CO2 emissions, which we plan to halve by 2030. In recent business years, we have already reduced the ecological footprint per wheel, mainly by purchasing aluminium produced with renewable energy.

“In developing the R70-blue, we took the cradle-to-cradle approach, which is a regenerative system that uses and reuses resources. Aluminium is 100 per cent recyclable, including our R70-blue – a wheel can be turned into a new wheel.”

The wheel manufacturer has also carefully considered the product packaging used as well as logistics. Packaging contains containing grass fibre and recycled paper, and the wheels are packaged by regional workshops for people with physical and intellectual disabilities. Ronal’s production plant in Landau is just 30 miles from the logistics centre from where the rims are distributed, which means transportation distances are minimised.

Ronal Group implemented its Planblue sustainability concept in 2016, and in doing so set itself ambitious goals in a number of areas. The R70-blue is the Ronal Group’s second sustainable product after the Ronal R60-blue. Owners of a wide range of compact and mid-sized vehicles with five-hole mountings can choose from 7.5×18 inch fitments in Orbit grey and Platinum silver surface finishes. The R70-blue is also available as an ECE plug-and-drive rim for the VW ID.3, the Mercedes A-Class, and the CLA.

Customers can choose from Orbit grey and Platinum silver surface finishes