Rio Tinto and Marubeni Corporation have agreed to the first sale under a new strategic Collaboration Agreement to ensure a sustainable and stable supply of Rio Tinto’s Responsible Aluminium products to Japanese downstream producers.
Rio Tinto’s first sale of Rio Tinto’s RenewAlTM high-purity aluminium from the sustainably powered New Zealand Aluminium Smelters (NZAS) is to a significant Japanese motorcycle manufacturer committed to decreasing carbon emissions throughout its supply chain and manufacturing process.
The agreement aims to provide the downstream industry with a straightforward, integrated solution to meet ESG-related goals and regulations such as decreasing carbon footprints, revealing lifecycle assessment (LCA), and sourcing ethically. It will also guarantee long-term supply security at a time when supply-chain threats are increasing.
According to Rio Tinto, the agreement brings together Marubeni’s extensive trading network, commercial capability, and carbon credit mechanism, Neutr-AlTM, which will be made available as part of the collaboration, with Rio Tinto’s suite of Responsible Aluminium products, including RenewAlTM, the industry’s first certified low carbon aluminium, Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI) certified aluminium, and the digital traceability platform START.
“We are excited to be a part of the first producer-trading house marketing partnership focused on delivering sustainability throughout the aluminium supply chain,” Rio Tinto Head of Sales & marketing Tolga Egrilmezer said.
Egrilmezer stated that consumers want to learn more about the products they purchase and have peace of mind that they were made ethically and sustainability. Egrilmezer added that working with partners such as Marubeni allows Rio Tinto to advance its commitment to decarbonising its product value chains while assisting its downstream clients in the aluminium value chain satisfy the rising consumer demand.
Marubeni Chief Operating Officer, Metals & Mineral Resources Division Daisuke Tsuchiya said “Marubeni’s Mid-Term Management Strategy GC 2024 positions green strategy as a fundamental platform to enhance corporate value. Aluminium-related business is an area of focus within this green strategy to enable a transition to a decarbonised society. Through this collaboration, Marubeni will contribute to creating a decarbonised society by supplying responsible aluminium, produced by Rio Tinto, to various customers through Marubeni’s interface, which has been built up over through the company’s many years of aluminium trading.”
