Sustainability, or the urge to shift towards a greener environment, has become the need of the hour. Top companies and individuals, including the aluminium sector, are leaving no stone unturned to shift towards a greener industry. Aluminium as a metal generates around 1.1 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO₂) each year. However, by 2050, the demand for aluminium is anticipated to rise by 50% to 80%. As a result, the top producers and people are taking significant actions by adopting renewable energy and producing cutting-edge technologies.
With a growing concern for the environment and an increasing emphasis on carbon neutrality, notable aluminium leaders and companies are striving to build a sustainability roadmap for the industry, while groups are taking steps to recognise their achievements. Businesses such as Alcoa, Hydro, Vedanta, Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA), Ma’aden, etc., have planned or implemented new skills and technology to cut carbon emissions throughout the aluminium value chain, defining industry trends.
Aluminium Bahrain signs MoU with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries to reduce its carbon footprint
On January 19, 2022, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries EMEA Ltd. (MHI EMEA), a division of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) Group, and Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C. (Alba), the biggest aluminium smelter outside of China, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to work together on strategies to lessen Alba's carbon footprint. The Agreement, the first of its type with an aluminium manufacturer, will set the stage for a feasibility study on employing CO2 capture from flue gas technology developed by MHI Group in partnership with Kansai Electric Power Co. to lower Alba's plant emissions and achieve decarbonization.
Ball Company launches lighter aerosol cans with lesser carbon footprint
Ball Corporation unveiled a new aluminium aerosol can with a carbon footprint of approximately half that of a standardised version. These most recent innovations will include low-carbon aluminium created in smelters utilising renewable, green energy sources like hydroelectric power and 50% recycled material. Also, using Ball's ReAl alloy for impact-extruded cans decreases pack weight significantly, with the new can weighing 30% less than conventional aluminium cans.
“With the impacts of climate change becoming more visible, we see a growing focus on efforts to reduce the carbon footprint of packaging. People want a more sustainable future for the planet, and they seek out brands that are leading the way. Research shows that 83% of global consumers believe it’s important or extremely important for companies to design products that can be reused or recycled,” said Jason Galley, the Senior Director of Sustainability at Ball Aerosol Packaging.
To know more: https://www.alcircle.com/news/ball-corporation-introduces-lightweight-aerosol-cans-with-lesser-carbon-footprint-80834
Thieves Australia introduces a sustainable recycling programme for coffee pods made of aluminium.
The 100% recyclable Nespresso-compatible coffee pods are part of a new subscription scheme from Melbourne-based coffee roasters Thieves. While aluminium makes up most of these capsules, the company also provides a free recycling service. Thieves' subscription service customers may choose from various Australian roasters to get their beans each month. Also, they aim to draw additional coffee aficionados thanks to their capsule service options. The customer must visit the Thieves website each month to place their purchase for the amount of coffee pods and different-sized coffee bags they want. The minimum order quantity for aluminium coffee pods is ten, and the maximum shipping is five hundred.
In the latter situation, the company collaborates closely with TerraCycle to provide a free recycling service that allows the aluminium coffee pods to be effectively recycled after use. Only the aluminium coffee pods need to be sent, along with a pre-paid shipping label, and TerraCycle will handle recycling the pod from there. The programme is in charge of returning the aluminium pods to where they may be recycled, thereby reducing carbon footprints.
To know more: https://www.alcircle.com/news/thieves-australia-launches-sustainable-recycling-scheme-for-aluminium-coffee-pods-86072
Rusal initiates using aluminium scrap to make low-carbon alloys for automotive industry
RUSAL, a prominent producer of aluminium in the world and a major producer of aluminium in Russia, pioneered the production of foundry alloys for the car industry from end-of-life aluminium trash. Due to this manufacture, RUSAL decreased the new product's overall carbon footprint by over 20%. Rusal's Primary Equivalent Foundry Alloys (PEFA), produced using molten aluminium, comprise 20% aluminium waste. By the second half of 2023, the company intends to enhance PEFA manufacturing and up the recycled content to 30%. The new product fully complies with OEM demands and satisfies their demands for recycled material and a small carbon impact. This product will meet the strategic needs related to carbon neutrality goals and ensure that Rusal, partners, and customers actively participate in the automobile industry's circular economy.
To know more: https://www.alcircle.com/news/rusal-initiates-using-aluminium-scrap-to-make-low-carbon-alloys-for-automotive-industry-89919
To minimise greenhouse gas emissions, GE signs a contract to upgrade the gas turbines of EGA's Al Taweelah power station
Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA), a major player in the Gulf aluminium industry, and GE Power, a leading energy technology provider, successfully upgraded four GE 9F gas turbines already in place at EGA's Al Taweelah power plant. This idea will help UAE achieve its intended Net-Zero strategic objectives by 2050 and lessen the severity of greenhouse gas emissions. To maintain the historical electricity production of 920 MW, greenhouse gas emissions would need to be reduced by 74,000 tonnes yearly, equivalent to removing 16,000 automobiles off UAE roads.
With hardware and software advancements, GE's AGP update on the four 9F gas turbines will boost production, efficiency, and availability. After being successfully deployed to six smaller E-class turbines, the technology is used for the first time in the UAE on an F-class gas turbine. For GE's 9F fleet, a "Live Outage" concept will also be used for the first time internationally. Live Outage lowers the possibility of mistakes and rework by switching from paper-based management to a digital platform, enabling clients to expedite their outage process.
Guinea's bauxite mines to run on sustainable fuel
West Africa LNG Group (WALNG), a firm that offers a wide range of natural gas-based fuels and services, has arranged equity financing with a US-based investor group for an LNG import facility in Guinea. WALNG has created an LNG import terminal and distribution network in response to the Guinean government's need for a fuel supply that is reasonably priced and ecologically friendly. Guinea LNG will provide commercial volumes of natural gas to bauxite mining businesses in the Boké, Bel-Air, and Boffa areas for power generation and upcoming alumina refineries, enabling Guinea to directly benefit from her priceless natural resources.
According to the Center for Liquefied Natural Gas, "Natural gas is a fossil fuel – but it's cleaner and more efficient than other traditional fuels. Natural gas produces less pollution and greenhouse gases than its counterparts."
To know more: https://www.alcircle.com/news/walng-seals-lng-import-terminal-funding-guinea-s-bauxite-mines-to-run-on-sustainable-fuel-83361
Rio Tinto along with Corona Canada launches specially-marked low-carbon beverage cans utilizing ELYSIS technology
On June 29, 2022, Rio Tinto, the world's second-largest metal and mining business, revealed that it had released Canada's first specially designated, low-carbon beverage aluminium can made by Ball Corporation in collaboration with Corona Canada, a pioneer in the beer market. The cans are currently available through a trial programme in Ontario and were created with Rio Tinto aluminium by utilising the ELYSISTM technology. In addition to the restricted distribution, 1.2 million cans have QR tags attached to them to encourage buyers to learn more about the reduced carbon impact of the cans. Consumers will be given an utterly traceable beverage can due to this experimental project. Future consumers will be able to scan QR codes to get sustainability data and understand precisely how Rio Tinto's products are created from the mine to the market, thanks to the company's usage of insights from its START programme.
Capral Aluminium pledges to achieve net zero emission by 2050
By 2050, Capral Aluminium promises to have zero emissions. Capral will need to use innovative and ground-breaking technical options to reach net-zero emissions in Scope 1 and Scope 2 to make this happen. The scientific community has said categorically that to confine global warming to 1.5°C and stop the negative consequences of climate change on human civilization and ecosystems, net-zero global CO2 emissions must be reached by the middle of the century. According to Michael O'Keefe, the General Manager of Capral, the company will focus on Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions initially as part of its net-zero pledge. Scope 1 includes direct emissions from company-owned and -controlled resources.
To know more: https://www.alcircle.com/news/capral-aluminium-pledges-to-achieve-net-zero-emission-by-2050-80572
Hylux introduces spring water in a new recyclable aluminium bottle
Hylux, a US-based manufacturer of health beverages, has introduced a new recyclable, resealable aluminium bottle for its unflavored spring water. The Boston campus of Northeastern University will be the first purchaser of the bottles, which will initially be made accessible to select organisations for sale and distribution within their networks. Hylux is already communicating with sports teams and other major organisations to increase the reach of the newly introduced bottles. The spring water will soon also be available online.
Collaboration between OZ Minerals, Boliden, and Rio Tinto to develop cutting-edge technology for sustainable mining practises
Together, OZ Minerals, Boliden, and Rio Tinto will create cutting-edge tailings management technology that will help the mining sector to further minimise risk while obtaining the raw materials required for the energy transition from what was previously considered "trash." As part of the Think & Act Differently (TAD) incubator initiative, the three firms previously mentioned will fund and assist innovators working to rethink mining and processing to eliminate, reduce, reuse, or discover value in mine tailings. The three businesses will work together more on initiatives to increase productivity and get advantages like reduced emissions and less waste.
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