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Hyundai Motor ends Indonesia aluminium offer after climate campaign by K-pop fans

South Korea's Hyundai Motor Co and PT Adaro Minerals Indonesia Tbk have actually ended an aluminium supply contract after calls by a climate campaigner backed by Kpop fans not to obtain materials of the metal produced utilizing coal power.

Millions of young K-pop fans have actually thrown their significant weight at times behind numerous international campaigns and social causes, frequently utilizing social networks.

Hyundai Motor stated in a statement on Tuesday that it had ended its non-binding memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Adaro, an unit of Indonesia's second-largest coal miner Adaro Energy Indonesia, at the end of 2023, adding that the business had chosen to check out other chances independently.

Wito Krisnahadi, director of PT Adaro Minerals Indonesia, also verified the companies had decided not to renew the contract following its expiration.

The South Korean car manufacturer signed the MoU with Adaro Minerals in 2022 to protect the right to buy aluminium produced by Adaro's subsidiary PT Kalimantan Aluminium Industry.

At the time of the signing, Hyundai said it expected to obtain aluminium from Adaro that meets the car manufacturer's carbon neutralization policy amid growing demand for aluminium amongst international automakers.

Smelting aluminium needs big quantities of energy and when utilizing coal produces big volumes of carbon emissions.

Adaro plans to power the third stage of its aluminium smelter project with a hydropower plant its group is currently structure.

The climate activist group Kpop4Planet that had been calling for an end to Hyundai's aluminium arrangement welcomed the decision by the carmaker.

It is the success of thousands of K-pop fans who really appreciate the climate crisis, especially in Indonesia, Kpop4Planet informed , adding that it will continue to monitor Hyundai's sourcing of materials for its production.

(source: Reuters)