Chinese EV startup NIO and state-owned aluminum producer Aluminum Corporation of China “CHINALCO”) signed an agreement on March 3 to form a strategic partnership, according to a post on CHINALCO's WeChat account.

NIO, CHINALCO signing agreement; photo credit: CHINALCO

Under the agreement, both parties will carry out in-depth cooperation on the R&D, supply, and procurement of new materials and auto parts including automobile-used aluminum and copper, the digitalization of supply chain, and the carbon footprint verification CFV).

Through the partnership, the two companies are expected to establish a routine communication mechanism and strengthen the R&D efforts to jointly tap the application potential of CHINALCO's existing materials in automobiles and contribute to the overall stability of supply chain and the country's realization of carbon neutrality while improving products' technical level and building high-end automobile brands, said Yao Lin, Chairman of CHINALCO.

William Bin Li, Chairman and CEO of NIO, said the duo will develop the collaboration focusing on the advantages of smart-EV-used aluminum in carbon emission reduction for whole links including materials selection, production, utilization and recycling, so as to thoroughly implement China's policy for peaking carbon emissions and achieving carbon neutrality.