Novelis Signs MOU with Tsinghua University Suzhou Automotive Research Institute

Agreement will drive R&D to extend aluminum sheet applications in Chinese automotive industry to promote low carbon, sustainable future

Shanghai, China, May 28, 2021 – Novelis, Inc., the world leader in aluminum rolling and recycling announced today that its Shanghai Customer Solution Center (CSC) has signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Tsinghua University Suzhou Automotive Research Institute (TSARI). The collaboration with China's top-tier university reinforces Novelis' leading position in the aluminum industry and will provide innovative and sustainable solutions for customers in Chinese automotive industry. A partner of many domestic vehicle makers in China, TSARI will take this opportunity to drive research and development of aluminum products and solutions to promote a low carbon, sustainable future in the country. 

James Liu, Managing Director of Novelis China and Vice President of Automotive, Novelis Asia, signed the MOU with Sifa Zheng, Vice President of TSARI and Professor of Tsinghua University

Joining hands together to revitalize the future of automotive aluminum industry

Based on the MOU, Novelis China and TSARI will collaborate on body-in-white applications for both passenger and commercial vehicles, electric vehicle battery enclosures, a NVH (Noise, Vibration, Harshness) study, and various material tests. Through its profound manufacturing and engineering expertise, combined with TSARI’s research support and local industry insights, Novelis is confident it will continue to strengthen its foundation in the Chinese automotive market and provide innovative, high-quality lightweight automotive aluminum solutions to meet increasing demand from Chinese customers.

Sifa Zheng, Vice President of TSARI and Professor of Tsinghua University, commented, “We are glad to have reached a strong partnership with Novelis. As an independent think tank in the Chinese automotive industry, TSARI is dedicated to accelerating the application of cutting-edge technological research, commercializing emerging scientific achievements, and facilitating the cooperative relationships between leading players and ourselves. I strongly believe that the newly established relationship shall bridge the gap between academic research in the automotive area and the landing of application for customers, which is one of our most important missions. With the MOU signed, the introduction of Novelis' brand-new aluminum technology shall bring fresh perspectives and capabilities into the Chinese automotive aluminum industry.”

James Liu, Managing Director of Novelis China and Vice President of Automotive, Novelis Asia, gave an introduction on Novelis to representatives from TSARI

Contributing to low carbon and building a more circular economy

“The Chinese market is a pivotal sector of Novelis’ development blueprint in Asia and we are more than pleased to be able to sign an MOU with TSARI,” said James Liu, Managing Director of Novelis China and Vice President of Automotive, Novelis Asia, “With the support of TSARI, we will continue to devote ourselves to the development and promotion of low-carbon, environmentally-friendly aluminum sheets, paving the path of our business, our industry, and our society towards a more sustainable and circular economy.”

Sustainability is the core of Novelis' business as well as its consistent development priority. As a global leader in aluminum recycling, Novelis has been committed to utilizing a high content of recyclable aluminum in its products. Meanwhile, through the investment in aluminum recycling and building a closed-loop recycling system in China, Novelis is helping both customers and the company achieve emission reduction objectives. Novelis shall continue to undertake its social responsibility and actively contribute to the achievement of China’s national goals to reduce carbon emissions by 2030 and help meet its 2060 "carbon neutral" targets. 

About Novelis

Novelis Inc. is driven by its purpose to shape a sustainable world together. As a global leader in innovative products and services and the world's largest recycler of aluminum, we partner with customers in the automotive, aerospace, beverage can and specialties industries to deliver solutions that maximize the benefits of sustainable lightweight aluminum throughout Asia, North America, Europe, and South America. Novelis is a subsidiary of Hindalco Industries Limited, an industry leader in aluminum and copper, and the metals flagship company of the Aditya Birla Group, a multinational conglomerate based in Mumbai, India. For more information, visit novelis.com.

Tsinghua University Suzhou Automotive Research Institute

Tsinghua University Suzhou Automotive Research Institute (TSARI) was jointly established by Tsinghua University and the Suzhou Government in 2011. Committing to "Green, Intelligent, Connection," the institute is devoted to the application technologies development, transformation, and high-tech company incubation. The institute has successfully delivered over 100 technologies into the automotive industry, served over 100 automotive OEM and key suppliers around the world on technical design and consulting, product testing and system integration in intelligent and connected vehicles, new energy vehicles, and advanced automotive manufacturing technologies. TSARI has supported over 200 high-tech enterprises technically or financially during their early stage growth, including two winners of the China Automotive S&T award.

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Released June 1, 2021