New Jaguar XE car pioneers with 50% recycled content aluminium

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Jaguar’s new XE car is using a new aluminium alloy that means 50 per cent of the body is made from recycled aluminium.

Funding for the development of the new alloy came from Innovate UK (the new name for the Technology Strategy Board) in 2007 when it provided 69 per cent of the £2 million total funding for the collaborative R&D competition.

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Six other partner organisations were involved in the project meaning a fully integrated supply chain. These included Novelis, Zyomax, Norton, Stadco, Brunel University and Innoval Technology.

A second project is now being worked on to increase the recycled content even further with the aim of 75 per cent.

Business Secretary Vince Cable said: “This is a fine example of a great British company driving British innovation. This could be a game changer for the industry and a welcome boost to the supply chain.”

The Jaguar XE is the first car in the world to use RC 5754. The innovation helps to reduce greenhouse gases in the production phase. Recycling aluminium uses 95 per cent less energy and a lighter car reduces vehicle tailpipe emissions.

Jaguar Land Rover Materials Engineering group leader Adrian Tautscher said: “Innovate UK has delivered two key outcomes. Firstly, it has brought together a collaborative team from industry and academia to drive the development of the aluminium alloy that delivers real sustainable benefits.

“Secondly, this funding has been essential in offsetting the high development costs to allow Jaguar Land Rover to speed delivery of this innovative material.”

The Jaguar XE will be available in 2015.