Case study: In the race for credibility, how ASI certification is transforming recycled aluminium

The global recycled aluminium industry is stepping into a new era where sustainability credentials are deemed necessary, like one’s production capacity. With the rising demand for low-carbon aluminium in sectors like automotive, packaging, construction and electronics, the global industry experts are now shifting their spotlight on traceability, responsible sourcing and circularity.

As highlighted in AL Circle’s report, “World Recycled Aluminium Market Analysis: Industry Forecast to 2032,” the global recycled aluminium market, by 2032, is expected to expand to nearly USD 160.81 billion from USD 107.05 billion in 2023. This is exactly why the firms are understanding and are looking to gain certification frameworks, as they aim to showcase their responsible recycling practices and enhance supply chain transparency.

This is where the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI) comes into play.

Understanding ASI certification in the aluminium industry

With the rising prominence of sustainability, traceability and responsible sourcing in the aluminium value chain, ASI emerged as one of the industry’s most recognised certification organisations. Through globally accepted standards covering environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance, ASI enables companies to demonstrate responsible production practices, strengthen traceability and support sustainability commitments.

In the recycled aluminium industry, two of the most recognised ASI certifications are:

• ASI Performance Standard Certification: Recognises responsible business practices across environmental, social and governance areas.
• ASI Chain of Custody (CoC) Certification: Ensures traceability of aluminium materials and verifies responsible sourcing across the supply chain.

Listing down some of the major ASI certifications across the recycled aluminium industry:

1) ASI certifies Nemak Chongqing Automotive Components Co., Ltd.

Nemak Chongqing Automotive Components Co., Ltd. secured ASI Performance Standard V3.1 (2023) certification for manufacturing lightweight aluminium alloy automotive parts at its Chongqing facility in China. The certification recognises the firm’s responsible production practices across remelting, refining, die-casting, heat treatment and post-processing operations.

2) ASI certifies Laminazione Sottile Group

Laminazione Sottile Group achieved ASI Chain of Custody (CoC) Standard V2 (2022) certification for the production and processing of semi-finished aluminium coils, sheets and packaging materials across its facilities in Italy. The certification recognises the group’s commitment to material traceability and responsible sourcing while serving industries.

3) ASI certifies Guangdong JMA Aluminium Profile Factory Group Co., Ltd.

Both ASI Performance Standard V3.1 (2023) and Chain of Custody (CoC) Standard V2 (2022) certifications was achieved by Guangdong JMA Aluminium Profile Factory Group Co., Ltd. for its aluminium profile manufacturing operations in China.

4) ASI certifies Shanxi Regal Advanced Material Co., Ltd.

Shanxi Regal Advanced Material Co., Ltd. bagged ASI Performance Standard V3.1 (2023) certification for producing aluminium alloy ingots and aluminium alloy extruded products at its facility in Yuncheng City, China. The certification recognises the company’s responsible manufacturing practices across aluminium remelting, refining, casting, heat treatment and extrusion operations.

5) ASI certifies American Buffalo Metals

American Buffalo Metals achieved ASI Performance Standard V3.1 (2023) certification for its facility in Alabama, USA, recognising its production of secondary A356 aluminium and alloys using recycled aluminium feedstock. The certification highlights the company’s responsible recycling, remelting, refining and casting operations, with recycled material accounting for approximately 99 per cent of its total output.

6) Real Alloy achieves ASI certification across 11 facilities in Canada

Based on the firm’s aluminium scrap recycling operations and the production of wrought and foundry alloys across 11 facilities in Canada, the United States and Mexico, they secured ASI Performance Standard V2 (2017) certification. 

7) ASI certifies Alu-Met’s Speedline Aluminium-Gießerei GmbH facility

ASI Chain of Custody certification was awarded to Austria-based Alu-met for producing aluminium extrusion billets from recycled scrap. 

8) Fondital SpA achieves certification for its three facilities in Vobarno

ASI Performance Standard V2 (2017) certification was provided to Fondital SpA for its three facilities in Vobarno, Italy. Via this certification, the firm has been recognised for its production of high-grade aluminium alloys from recycled content and the manufacture of automotive components.

9) ASI certifies Befesa Aluminio’s aluminium recycling factory in Erandio

Befesa Aluminio’s recycling plant in Erandio, Spain, bagged ASI Performance Standard V3 (2022) certification for responsibly processing aluminium scrap into ingots, remelting products, and liquid aluminium while upholding sustainable resource recovery and contributing to the goals of a circular economy.

10) ASI presents certification to Ningbo Tuopu Group

The ASI Performance Standard V2 (2017) certification was given to Ningbo Tuopu Group for its Light Alloy System 9th Unit located in Ningbo, China, for automotive applications like power chassis, trim, and intelligent driving control systems.

11) ASI certifies Leichtmetall Aluminium for remelting and casting at the Hannover site

Leichtmetall Aluminium Giesserei Hannover GmbH earned the ASI Performance Standard V2 (2017) certification for its remelting, casting, and semi-fabrication processes for responsibly producing aluminium billets from recycled scrap.

12) ASI certifies Fusão Ligas for recycling and reusing aluminium byproducts

Fusão Ligas bagged the ASI Performance Standard V2 (2017) certification for its facility located in João Monlevade, Brazil, for its efforts in recycling and reusing aluminium smelting byproducts like slag and sludge. ‘

13) Aluphoenix wins ASI certification for its ability to remelt aluminium scrap into alloy ingot

The ASI Performance Standard V2 (2017) certification was issued to Aluphoenix srl for its remelting and casting facility located in Riese Pio X, Italy, spotlighting the firm’s dedication to producing aluminium alloy ingots from both pre- and post-consumer scrap.

14) ASI certifies Press Metal Bintulu Sdn Bhd for aluminium remelting activities

Press Metal Bintulu Sdn Bhd achieved the ASI Performance Standard V2 (2017) certification for its operations in Sarawak, Malaysia, for responsible production practices and its commitment to sustainable resource use throughout the entire aluminium value chain.

15) ASI enlists Stemin S.p.A for the recycling and remelting facility in Bergamo

Italian recycler Stemin S.p.A obtained the ASI Performance Standard V2 (2017) certification for its recycling and remelting facility in Bergamo, covering the firm’s processing of aluminium scrap into secondary aluminium alloys and semi-finished products.

16) REAL Alloy’s aluminium scrap conversion facilities into wrought & foundry alloys get ASI certification

REAL Alloy’s facilities in Grevenbroich and Deizisau, Germany, received ASI Chain of Custody certification for aluminium scrap recycling and the production of wrought and foundry alloys. 

17) ASI grants certification to S.A.V. S.p.A.’s Italian Aluminium Facilities

S.A.V. S.p.A Società Alluminio Veneto obtained ASI Performance Standard certification for its facilities involved in sorting aluminium scrap, melting raw materials and producing aluminium alloy ingots. 

With the demand for low-carbon and recycled aluminium on the rise, ASI certification is set to become even more crucial in helping producers validate their sustainability claims, enhance supply chain traceability, and facilitate the industry’s shift towards a circular economy. To stay updated about the global aluminium recycling industry, read the report by AL Circle “World Recycled Aluminium Market Analysis: Industry Forecast to 2032.“