Ford, GM call for clean aluminum investment

MANILA: Ford Motor Company and General Motors, along with 12 leading companies in the United States, advise the United States (US) Department of Energy (DOE) to invest in American-made clean aluminum to retain manufacturing jobs and lessen industrial emissions in the slumping aluminum production industry.

In a letter sent to US DOE Secretary Jennifer Granholm, the companies suggest the use of investments from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) to secure an affordable supply of clean energy.

"Spiking electricity prices, lack of access to low-cost renewable energy, and insufficient federal investment have pushed the remaining six primary smelters to the brink. The IRA is poised to make the largest-ever investment in US manufacturing, supercharging aluminum-dependent clean energy technologies. In order to meet increased aluminum demand that will affect all our industries, the US must invest heavily in supply," the letter states.

The companies warned that the American primary aluminum industry could disappear as the demand is expected to rise.

Aluminum is a vital component in developing electric vehicles and other clean energy economy products that are anticipated to be widely used in the US in the coming years.

Global demand for aluminum is expected to rise by 40 percent by 2030 and 80 percent by 2050. However, the U.S. primary aluminum industry has been pestered by reduced production, layoffs, and closures partly because of the unstable price of fossil fuels.

"Ford is committed to achieving carbon neutrality across our vehicles, operations and supply chain no later than 2050, and sourcing domestically produced, lower-carbon primary aluminum is part of a host of actions we are taking that will help us meet our ambitious sustainability goals," Ford Motor Company Sustainability, Homologation, and Compliance Global Director Cynthia Williams said.

"The IRA presents a powerful opportunity for the DOE to prioritize American-made, clean sources of aluminum, which will in turn make more sustainable options available to companies like Ford. It’s going to take all of us – manufacturers, suppliers, energy providers and government – working together to build a better future that’s not just good for business, but also for people and the planet," she added.

Photos from Ford Motor Company and General Motors

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