Mercedes-Benz (MBGn.DE) is apparently the first automotive company to join the “Renewable Carbon Initiative” (RCI). Founded by the nova-Institute, the initiative brings together industry leaders from the chemical, energy and automotive sectors. Together, they share a common goal: to completely replace fossil-carbon sources with renewable alternatives derived from biomass, CO2 utilization, and recycling. Mercedes termed it a “Strategic partnership with industry leaders” including BASF, Covestro, Michelin and Continental.*
“Joining the ‘Renewable Carbon Initiative’ is an important step in driving the transition to renewable carbon sources and working with strong partners to develop innovative, fossil-free solutions,” said Dr. Ulf Zillig, Vice President Group Research, Sustainability and RD Functions, Mercedes-Benz AG.
Concrete pilot projects are planned for 2026. Mercedes-Benz said it is exploring carbon capture and utilization for automotive plastics, bio-based carbon sources for components, and circular carbon solutions.
“By joining the RCI, Mercedes-Benz is purposefully expanding its circle of strategic partners to include innovative start-ups and leading institutes, further strengthening its innovation network for sustainable solutions across the entire value chain. In addition, in 2023, suppliers representing ~87% of Mercedes-Benz’s annual purchasing volume signed an Ambition Letter, agreeing to supply the company only with net carbon-neutral production materials in the future. Net carbon-neutral means that carbon emissions that are not avoided or reduced at Mercedes-Benz are compensated for by certified offsetting projects,” Mercedes said.
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About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
Milestones – Mercedes Joins Renewable Carbon Initiative
Mercedes-Benz (MBGn.DE) is apparently the first automotive company to join the “Renewable Carbon Initiative” (RCI). Founded by the nova-Institute, the initiative brings together industry leaders from the chemical, energy and automotive sectors. Together, they share a common goal: to completely replace fossil-carbon sources with renewable alternatives derived from biomass, CO2 utilization, and recycling. Mercedes termed it a “Strategic partnership with industry leaders” including BASF, Covestro, Michelin and Continental.*
“Joining the ‘Renewable Carbon Initiative’ is an important step in driving the transition to renewable carbon sources and working with strong partners to develop innovative, fossil-free solutions,” said Dr. Ulf Zillig, Vice President Group Research, Sustainability and RD Functions, Mercedes-Benz AG.
Concrete pilot projects are planned for 2026. Mercedes-Benz said it is exploring carbon capture and utilization for automotive plastics, bio-based carbon sources for components, and circular carbon solutions.
“By joining the RCI, Mercedes-Benz is purposefully expanding its circle of strategic partners to include innovative start-ups and leading institutes, further strengthening its innovation network for sustainable solutions across the entire value chain. In addition, in 2023, suppliers representing ~87% of Mercedes-Benz’s annual purchasing volume signed an Ambition Letter, agreeing to supply the company only with net carbon-neutral production materials in the future. Net carbon-neutral means that carbon emissions that are not avoided or reduced at Mercedes-Benz are compensated for by certified offsetting projects,” Mercedes said.
AutoInformed on
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn. He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe. Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap. AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks. Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.