New materials for new processes.

We are not only working to make our vehicles generate fewer emissions and be more efficient, but also evolving the way we produce them at our plants around the world.

We work intensively to close material loops and increase the proportion of recycled materials to conserve primary resources, avoid waste and thus also reduce CO₂ emissions. In development we follow the Design for Environment approach. As early as the design stage of our vehicles, we reconsider the composition of all materials used and examine possibilities for more sustainable alternatives. In addition to CO₂-reduced steel and aluminium, innovative recyclates are already in use, for example bow door handles in the production of which fossil raw materials have been replaced by biomethane and pyrolysis oil from recycled used tyres.

The increased use of recyclates in our vehicles conserves natural resources and can deliver an overall reduction in their consumption despite a growing production volume. The use of recycled materials is also also attracting greater political attention. For example, the European Commission has supplemented the European End-of-Life Vehicles Directive 2000/53/EC with the European plastics strategy, which requires manufacturers to use more recycled materials in vehicle production.

Bionic design.

Shaping, materials, efficiency: How we use bionic design to optimise lightweight construction and aerodynamics.

Innovative materials.

Quality, functionality, durability: How we develop innovative materials that aim to improve the driving experience and reduce the environmental impact.

CO₂-reduced European steel.

Mercedes-Benz aims to purchase over 200,000 tonnes of CO₂-reduced steel from European suppliers annually in this decade.

Mercedes-Benz and H2 Green Steel secure supply deal.

Mercedes-Benz has signed a supply agreement with Swedish start-up H2 Green Steel (H2GS) for approximately 50,000 tonnes of almost CO₂-free steel per year for its European press shops and deepened its partnership to establish a more sustainable steel supply chain in North America.

More on more sustainable steel supply chains

CO₂-reduced steel for Tuscaloosa.

Mercedes-Benz has signed an agreement with Steel Dynamics, Inc. (SDI) to source more than 50,000 tonnes of CO₂-reduced steel annually for its plant in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

More on CO₂-reduced steel for Tuscaloosa

CO₂ reduction in the aluminium supply chain.

Aluminium is becoming an increasingly important material, particularly in electric vehicles. Mercedes-Benz is working with its partners to decarbonise the aluminium supply chain.

More on decarbonising the aluminium supply chain

From scrap tyres to door handles.

With the use of chemical recycling we aim to close the material cycle of old car tyres and thus reduce both the consumption of fossil resources and our carbon footprint.

Closing the loop.

Mercedes-Benz is pursuing a holistic approach to the circularity of battery systems, with consideration given to three core topics: circular design, value preservation, closing the cycle.

More on the circular economy of battery systems

On the road to a circular economy.

Our aim is to increasingly decouple resource consumption from the growth of our production output.