Hydro champions transparency with comprehensive environmental data for its aluminium products

Norsk Hydro, a Norwegian aluminium and renewable energy company, emphasises the importance of transparency regarding the environmental impact of the materials and products it offers to its customers and partners. To support this commitment, Hydro has released environmental data for 22 manufacturing sites across the U.S. and Canada.

About the gathered data

Over the past year, Hydro's Extrusion North America business unit worked closely with Ecoinnovazione, a life cycle assessment (LCA) expert, to conduct LCA studies for each of its manufacturing sites. The gathered data was compiled into individual Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs), which then underwent stringent third-party verification by UL Solutions to ensure accuracy and reliability.

Hydro's dedication to transparency is not just a statement, but a pioneering action. By analysing 50 different product configurations and publishing 33 individual EPD reports, Hydro has become the first extrusion company in North America to offer comprehensive insights into the environmental impact of its production processes. This groundbreaking initiative is a testament to Hydro's unwavering commitment to sustainability.

"Hydro is taking a proactive stance to provide clear, quantifiable data about the environmental footprint of our products. The scope and scale of this effort clearly demonstrates our commitment to transparency, sustainability, and continuous improvement. We believe that informed stakeholders can better understand the value of lower-carbon, recycled aluminium in their supply chain and make more sustainable choices," stated Jerrod Hoeft, Vice President of Commercial Transportation and Sustainability at Hydro Extrusion North America.

Hydro's approach to developing the data

Hydro's commitment to transparency is not just about data, but about positively impacting the environment. Instead of relying on aggregated industry data, Hydro opted for a more comprehensive approach by developing individual EPDs using data from each specific manufacturing site and process. Though this method requires more time and expense, it significantly enhances data transparency and allows end users to more accurately calculate the carbon footprint of their aluminium supply chain.

The LCA data reveals that the average CO2e footprint of Hydro's extrusion operations is 34 per cent lower than the North American industry average, offering a distinct advantage for manufacturers seeking greener materials. This is a step towards a more sustainable future, and we are optimistic about the positive change it can bring.

Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) are technical documents that outline the potential environmental impact of products throughout their lifecycle. These documents are used by architects, engineers, and designers in various industries to gain a comprehensive understanding of their products' environmental footprint, enabling them to make more informed sourcing decisions.