Companies relying on aluminium for products to start expect consumers demand of metal’s ethical source: Chairman, En+ Group

The aluminium products depended on companies such as beverage cans and deodorant bottles should start anticipating consumers to entail that the metal is ethically sourced, as said by the Chairman of En+ Group.

Lord Barker, the Chairman of Aluminium and Green energy producer, En+ Group further advised this could hurl to stream in new job opportunities and as the industry looks to onshore production with plants powered by renewable electricity.

The Chairman stated: “As the energy transition rolls forward, the demand for low carbon materials and particularly aluminium will soar.”

“Roll forward 10 years, I can see the heavy industry coming home after four decades of decline in UK manufacturing, as manufacturers strive to decarbonise and move their operations to jurisdictions where there is a plentiful supply of affordable, renewable electricity.”

“This has the potential to create tens of thousands of jobs here in the UK by the end of the decade and beyond.”

“This would be a very welcome, yet unexpected industrial dividend from the UK’s world leadership in developing and pioneering offshore wind.”

In China, the majority of aluminium is produced by coal-fired power plants. However, with global warming and environmental concerns becoming one of the crucial issues for upcoming generations, it is in the thought that they could start shunning companies who continue to use materials from thermal power sources.

Presently, the aluminium sector counts 2% of the global CO2 emissions, which is the same as that of the entire Germany.

Lord Barker highlighted: “There are several low carbon aluminium producers in Europe and Russia, where electricity is derived from hydropower and new technology is being developed.”

This incorporates the usage of the “inert anode” tech, which expert’s remark reduces carbon emissions by 85% when equated to traditional methods.

The former minister for energy and climate change under David Cameron’s government, Lord Barker added: “Some companies are addressing how they produce aluminium, including drinks and deodorant cans maker, Ball Corporation, which recently signed a deal with EN+ to make low-carbon aluminium.”

A recent YouGov survey commissioned by the Carbon Trust observed 67% of consumers were in favour of carbon labelling for products. It has also been found that two-thirds of consumers in all countries surveyed said they are more likely to think positively about a brand that could demonstrate it had lowered the carbon footprint of its products.

Hugh Jones, Managing Director at the Carbon Trust, said: “The sustained and high levels of consumer support for carbon labelling suggests that passing this information on to increasingly well-informed and climate-conscious consumers can also enhance a company’s reputation and market share.”