Mazda Motor Corporation has achieved a significant milestone in its environmental goals by successfully operating a key industrial furnace using 100% biomass fuel. The company demonstrated the use of bio-coal briquettes, made from coconut shells, in its cupola melting furnace at the Hiroshima Plant, replacing traditional fossil fuels, according to the press release.
This initiative is a core part of Mazda’s plan to eliminate emissions from its global plants by 2035. The company’s strategy focuses on energy conservation, switching to renewable energy, and using carbon-neutral fuels, with a broader goal of achieving carbon neutrality throughout its supply chain by 2050.
Mazda’s test marks a global first in the social implementation of a 100% biomass-fueled cupola. The company collaborated with foundry industry experts and local partners to conduct the demonstration. Looking ahead, Mazda intends to expand regional partnerships and develop a local energy circulation system, aiming for carbon-neutral operation of cupolas using biomass fuels, including bio-coal briquettes, by the fiscal year 2030.
Securing a reliable domestic supply of raw materials is crucial for the company’s shift to biomass fuels. In March 2023, Mazda formed the Cupola CN Co-creation Working Group, bringing together various companies and organizations to research biomass fuel transitions, production methods, and local sourcing. While the recent demonstration used coconut shell-derived bio-coal briquettes, Mazda is focusing on establishing a “local production for local consumption” energy cycle in Hiroshima and surrounding areas. This initiative aims to utilize local biomass waste, boost regional industries, and benefit local communities.
Mazda plans to further develop this local energy circulation system through collaborations involving industry, government, academic institutions, and private organizations. This collaborative effort will ensure a stable supply of raw materials and facilitate the full implementation of fuel conversion.
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