JAPAN: Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd., one of the world’s leading motorcycle manufacturers, announced on March 2, 2023, that it had commenced using green aluminium in its production process.
The move marked the first time a Japanese motorcycle manufacturer has used this eco-friendly material.
Green aluminium is refined from aluminium ores using renewable energy sources, leaving a lower carbon footprint than traditional aluminium.
Yamaha aims to expand its use of the material in more models, contributing to a sizable reduction in the brand’s carbon footprint.
According to Yamaha, 12 to 31 percent of the total vehicle weight consists of aluminium, and applying eco-friendly material to the production process will significantly help the brand achieve its goal of carbon neutrality by 2050.
The announcement comes as part of Yamaha’s plan to incorporate sustainable materials into all its business activities by the end of its environmental plan in 2050.
The company has set an ambitious target of switching to 100 percent sustainable materials by 2050.
Yamaha is already active in its efforts to go green. The company has been pushing for the use of recycled aluminium, with up to 80 percent use of the reused resource.
Paired with the additional use of green aluminium, Yamaha is poised to chase down the remaining 20 percent, which accounts for parts that cannot use recycled aluminium in the production process.
The first step in Yamaha’s plan to incorporate green aluminium in its motorcycles is to utilise the material for certain parts in its large-displacement and off-road competition motorcycles.
The Yamaha MT-09 will be part of the change, with the model’s lower triple clamp, front wheel, rear wheel, and swingarm cast from green aluminium.
As long as the supply chain and volumes allow, Yamaha will continue to expand on its use of green aluminium for the rest of the models in its lineup.
The brand is also diving into other green raw materials, such as plant-derived resins, and developing recyclable polypropylene.
In a press release, Yamaha stated that it takes its responsibility towards the environment seriously and that introducing green aluminium in the production process is just one of many steps towards a sustainable future.
Yamaha is determined to become a leader in the industry regarding environmental sustainability.
Like many others, the motorcycle industry faces pressure to reduce its carbon footprint and contribute to a sustainable future.
With Yamaha’s announcement, the company is leading the charge towards environmentally friendly motorcycle production.
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