Environmentally friendly production using recycled steel
The new steel sheets are produced by melting scrap metal in electric blast furnaces and then rolling it into sheets. Compared to conventional materials made from iron ore and coke in blast furnaces, these sheets produce significantly less CO2. From October 2024, Yamaha Motor will start using these recycled steel sheets from Tokyo Steel Manufacturing Co., Ltd. (Tokyo Steel) for the packaging frames of its motorcycles. The use of these materials will be gradually expanded to increase the proportion of recycled materials in the packaging frames.
Origin of the recycled steel
The steel used comes mainly from scrap obtained from demolished buildings, discarded household appliances and scrapped cars. Through a collaboration between Tokyo Steel and Yamaha Motor, the material properties, quality and suitability of the steel for packaging frames have been extensively tested and confirmed.
Yamaha Motor Group Environmental Plan 2050
Yamaha Motor is working to be CO2 neutral by 2050 as part of the Yamaha Motor Group Environmental Plan 2050. This includes all activities within the company’s supply chain. To achieve this goal and ultimately switch to 100% sustainable materials, Yamaha Motor is focusing on introducing and expanding the use of green and recycled materials.
Details on CO2 reduction and sustainable materials
Reduction of CO2 emissions
Compared to traditional methods of producing steel from iron ore and coke in blast furnaces, the production of recycled steel in electric blast furnaces produces significantly less CO2 emissions. This is an important step for Yamaha Motor towards achieving its environmental goals.
Cooperation with Tokyo Steel
The introduction of the new steel sheets was made possible by close cooperation between Tokyo Steel and Yamaha Motor. Together they tested the material properties and ensured that the recycled steel meets the high requirements for packaging frames.
Outlook for future developments
Yamaha Motor plans to continuously increase the proportion of recycled materials in its packaging frames. This is part of a wider strategy to use fully sustainable materials and minimize the environmental impact of production by 2050.
Conclusion
Yamaha Motor is taking an important step towards sustainability with the introduction of low-CO2 recycled steel for the packaging frames of its motorcycles. The use of recycled materials helps to reduce CO2 emissions and is part of the company’s long-term plan to become CO2 neutral by 2050. By working closely with Tokyo Steel and continuously expanding the use of green materials, Yamaha Motor is demonstrating its commitment to protecting the environment.
