Mercedes-Benz signed a binding offtake agreement with Hydro for primary aluminium, covering at least 10% of its annual needs by 2030 under First Movers Coalition criteria. The contract sets a carbon footprint benchmark of 3.5 kg CO2e per kg of aluminium by 2028, tightening to 3.0 kg by 2030. That gives a dated, verifiable checkpoint for supply chain decarbonization. The broader climate plan still targets a 90% cut in production emissions by 2039 against a 2019 baseline, but the article notes the use phase target has a market conditions caveat. Meanwhile, the company lowered its 2026 profit guidance for Mercedes-Benz Cars to 2-3% adjusted return on sales, and Jefferies analyst Philippe Houchois called for a fundamental business model renewal. The climate story is tied to a single contract while the financial outlook slips. For investors and carbon market watchers, the key is whether the aluminium contract's carbon metrics hold up in practice and whether Mercedes can scale similar low-carbon procurement beyond 10%.
