Constellium and Novelis launch Initiative to advance automotive aluminum

Aluminum companies Constellium and Novelis have launched Alumobility, a nonprofit organization that will provide innovative, implementation-ready solutions to advance the adoption of aluminum automotive body sheet, the companies say. Alumobility will link leading aluminum producers and downstream technology partners, driving value for automakers and consumers by helping to fulfill the promise of a lighter, more efficient and more sustainable mobility future through collaborative technical projects and thought leadership.

Alumobility already has developed technical studies that address the next-generation aluminum door and an all-aluminum structural B-pillar, illustrating that aluminum can effectively compete with other materials for mass production vehicles at an attractive cost to manufacturers, the partners say.

"Alumobility is a collaboration of organizations to enthusiastically innovate and demonstrate the advantages of aluminum auto body sheet in vehicle applications," says Pierre Labat, the Zurich-based president of Alumobility and vice president, global automotive, at Novelis, which is headquartered in Atlanta. "Our global ecosystem approach is focused on action and leverages the best minds in our industry to support OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) and deliver aluminum-enabled mobility."

"Aluminum offers the promise of a stronger, more collaborative, more sustainable mobility future," says Jack Clark, vice president of Alumobility and Paris-based Constellium's senior vice president of manufacturing and chief technical officer, who is based in the U.S. "The technical work published by Alumobility will reinforce the vital role of lightweight, sustainable aluminum, particularly for electric vehicles while increasing recycling and reducing carbon emissions throughout the life cycle."

An executive director, who will be named in the coming weeks, will lead the organization, 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 specialized manufacturing processes that actively contribute to increasing the adoption of aluminum auto body sheet. Members will be required to contribute unique technical expertise and support Alumobility marketing initiatives. All resulting work will be available upon request. The independent member companies will not share commercial or production resources.