Cutting Carbon Costs: Our Mission for Sustainable Manufacturing
Posted on: 05/11/2025
Articles
As global regulations tighten and the automotive industry accelerates towards greater carbon accountability, we are taking proactive steps to lead the transition.
Through our partnership with Aston University under a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) and by preparing for the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), we are developing the insight and tools needed to measure, reduce and report the carbon impact of every component we produce. Together, these initiatives are positioning us at the forefront of a smarter, more sustainable era for UK manufacturing.
Our Sustainable Manufacturing Strategy, developed through the KTP, will enable us to monitor energy usage and carbon output at a component level. This data-driven approach allows us to identify inefficiencies, optimise processes and deliver measurable reductions in our carbon footprint, supporting both environmental goals and customer expectations for transparency.
With over six decades of expertise in precision pressings, machined components and welded assemblies, Metal Assemblies has long supported Tier 1 automotive manufacturers, including those supplying Toyota, BMW and Nissan. As around a quarter of our production is exported across Europe and beyond, aligning our operations with emerging carbon regulations is essential. Our collaboration with Aston University ensures that sustainability is not an add-on, but an integral part of how we manufacture.
Working alongside academics from Aston Business School and a dedicated KTP Associate, the project is analysing our energy consumption and exploring alternative materials and processes to enhance efficiency and reduce emissions. As Dr Breno Nunes from Aston Business School notes, the partnership provides “a clear direction to take for a more sustainable future.”
This collaboration not only strengthens Metal Assemblies’ position as a forward-thinking UK manufacturer but also supports the next generation of sustainability professionals. Together, we are transforming ambition into action, taking measurable, data-led steps towards Net Zero.
This work takes on even greater importance with the introduction of CBAM, coming into effect on 1 January 2027. The new regulation will apply tariffs to carbon-intensive imports entering the EU, making transparency and traceability more critical than ever. By delivering accurate, verifiable carbon data for every part we produce, we enable our customers to demonstrate compliance, avoid costly penalties, and strengthen the resilience and competitiveness of their supply chains.