Aluminium’s decarbonisation challenge extends beyond the electricity powering its smelters. Inside the reduction cell, electrode quality influences how efficiently that electricity is used, how much carbon is consumed and how consistently the process performs. Improving electrodes therefore offers producers a practical opportunity to address operating costs and emissions together. For Switzerland-based R&D Carbon , understanding the relationship between raw materials, electrode quality and industrial performance has been a focus for four decades. Founded in 1986 by Werner K. Fischer, the company built on carbon research previously undertaken at Swiss Aluminium Ltd., or Alusuisse. Today, it operates from Granges, near Sierre, with a team of 30 specialists serving more than 150 customers...
Mexico’s aluminum industry is looking to capitalize on rising demand from artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure, electric mobility, automotive manufacturing, and aerospace. Expanding technology investments and international market opportunities are expected to support sales growth, while the country’s reliance on imported aluminum highlights the importance of strengthening domestic processing capabilities. Ramón Beltrán, president of Mexico’s National Chamber of the Aluminum Industry (Canalum), expects the country’s domestic and international aluminum sales to gain momentum in 2026, supported by demand from advanced technology applications and established manufacturing sectors. “We expect to close out this year with growth of between 7.5% and 7.8% in domestic and international...
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A study carried out by Eunomia and commissioned by the International Aluminium Institute (IAI) has revealed that renewable electricity and recycling will be the key drivers of emissions reductions in the aluminium industry. Titled as Decarbonisation Pathways in Aluminium Vs. Competing Materials, the research underscores the role of aluminium in industrial decarbonisation, comparing its emissions reduction pathways to those of steel, copper, container glass, and PVC. The study revealed that renewable electricity and recycling will be the key drivers of emissions reductions in the aluminium industry. The research highlighted that combining renewable electricity and recycling will be the primary driver of emissions reductions for aluminium. In contrast, copper’s decarbonisation will rely...
Hyundai Mobis is set to integrate low-carbon aluminium, produced using solar energy, into the manufacturing of key automotive components starting this year. This initiative is a crucial step in the company’s commitment to achieving carbon neutrality by 2045. The company announced that it has signed a contract with Emirates Global Aluminum (EGA), a leading global aluminium producer, to secure 15,000 tonnes of low-carbon aluminium. Headquartered in Dubai, UAE, EGA produces this eco-friendly aluminium using solar power. As a vital material for lightweighting electric vehicles and other mobility solutions, aluminium plays a key role in sustainable transportation. By prioritising eco-friendly raw material procurement, Hyundai Mobis aims to strengthen its green supply chain and support the...
Fancy a cuppa and a bit of a 'green muscle' news, then? We have already divulged China’s embargo on ad-lib carbon emissions and instead brought in an overhauling carbon trade system for multiple industries. Now, word on the street (or rather, from Beijing) is that China is embarking on a rather ambitious quest to buff up its aluminium industry (thus proving the agenda of extending carbon trading mechanism in the aluminium value chain) – and make it green, to boot. Now, we all know China is a big player (if not the biggest) in the aluminium game, so this is more than just a spot of housekeeping. It is essentially a potential game-changer. The nitty-gritty So, break down the answer to a common question —what’s the plan and what is the big picture in all of this? Well, the picture now is ten...
In 2024, Moss launched its closed-loop scheme and is now celebrating the successful results of its first Aluminium Composite Panel (ACP) collection, recycling over six tonnes of plastic and 4.3 tonnes of aluminium. Partnering with Multipanel UK and Perspex Distribution, the initiative highlights the collective commitment to reducing waste and optimising resource use across the three companies and throughout the supply chain. Image Source: Multipanel UK / Linkedln “Our visit to Multipanel’s impressive facility has reaffirmed the strong partnership and shared vision between our three businesses. We are delighted to be part of this recycling initiative, offering products with robust green credentials,” said Group Account Director Mike Hamling Multipanel UK’s Alupanel ACP, known for its low...
In an initiative to curtail its carbon footprint, Vedanta Aluminium — a subsidiary of Vedanta Limited, has constructed a 13.4 km long new railway line, which will ensure wholesome raw materials and derivatives transportation by rail. India’s leading aluminium production company, Vedanta Aluminium, has secured a further boost to its logistical infrastructure and has successfully put in place a new railway line, backing its supply chain breadth. The railway infrastructure expansion is strategised to couple with the commissioning of its 5 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) alumina refinery in Lanjigarh, Kalahandi district, Odisha, ensuring production and transportation go hand-in-hand. The railway expansion commissioning will secure hassle-free inbound and outbound movement of raw materials and...
China has unveiled an ambitious agenda to extend its carbon trading system to encompass the steel, cement, and aluminium smelting sectors. The Ministry of Ecology and Environment has announced that this expansion will incorporate an additional 1,500 enterprises, enabling them to procure credits to offset their CO₂-equivalent emissions. Image for referential purposes only This extension will elevate the total volume of carbon dioxide regulated under the trading system to 8 billion tonnes—encompassing over 60 per cent of China’s total emissions. Ministry spokesperson Pei Xiaofei revealed these developments during a briefing on Wednesday. As one of the world’s foremost exporters of goods subject to the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), China is projected to export approximately...
The Middle East is now a name that we closely associate with low-carbon aluminium production, cutting-edge smelting technology, digital innovations, and sustainability initiatives. The region has evolved from an oil-dependent economy to a burgeoning hub for aluminium manufacturing, supported by abundant energy resources and sustainable production practices. While leading companies like Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA), Aluminium Bahrain (Alba), and Ma’aden Aluminium are steering the growth, numerous organisations from outside the region are playing a key role in advancing the industry. Such is the company INNOVAL Technology, which is helping to propel the expansion of the aluminium sector in the Middle East through its essential services. From knowledge sharing to materials design &...
On Monday, the CSIR-National Metallurgical Laboratory (NML) in Jamshedpur signed a landmark agreement with M/s Eyantram Waste Management Private Limited, Visakhapatnam. Under this collaboration, an e-waste recycling plant will be established through technology transfer which will specialise in processing waste printed circuit boards to recover valuable metals like aluminium (Al), copper (Cu) and gold (Au). Under this agreement, Eyantram Waste Management Private Limited will adopt the "Zero Waste" concept to reduce environmental pressure and enhance waste collection and disposal by bringing order to the unorganised sector. The eco-friendly technology will ensure proper waste management, contributing to a cleaner environment. Additionally, it will create job opportunities for unemployed...
In a serendipitous turn of events, French scientists have uncovered what is believed to be the world’s largest deposit of natural, or ‘white’, hydrogen beneath the Lorraine region. This monumental discovery holds the potential to revolutionise the global energy landscape, positioning France at the vanguard of the burgeoning hydrogen economy. Image for referential purposes only The revelation emerged during research conducted by the GeoRessources laboratory and the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS). A massive reserve of natural hydrogen was found beneath Folschviller’s soil in the Moselle region. The finding is being praised as a game-changing juncture in the clean-energy resolution. As per a recently released report, researchers from the GeoRessources laboratory and...
Lion’s Stone & Wood has teamed up with supply chain partners to launch Re-In-Can-Ation, a pioneering packaging initiative aimed at increasing the use of recycled aluminium in its beverage cans. Currently in its pilot phase, the collaboration includes Visy, Novelis, and Rio Tinto. The new, more sustainable can design is projected to reduce carbon emissions by 59 per cent compared to Stone & Wood's current cans. During the 18-month trial, 15 million more sustainable cans will be introduced to the market. This initiative is expected to cut carbon emissions by 1,235 tonnes compared to Stone & Wood's current cans. "Low-carbon aluminium is a key solution for industries striving to decarbonise, and we are pleased to provide Australian aluminium from our Bell Bay smelter in Tasmania, which is...
Switzerland has taken a decisive step (it was really high time!) to safeguard its steel and aluminium industries from mounting electricity costs. The government has announced a subsidy programme wherein the Swiss authorities pledged CHF 37 million (USD 42 million) in financial aid to four key industrial players, including Swiss Steel and Stahl Gerlafingen. The measure, effective from January 2025, will run until the end of 2028, aiming to maintain domestic production and preserve jobs in these energy-intensive sectors. Image for representational purposes only Electricity prices have seen a cosmic soar in the past few years, resulting in immense financial strain on the nation’s steel and aluminium producers, which the recent government initiative is anticipated to cushion. The industry...
Scatec, a leading renewables company, has entered into a 25-year corporate Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Egyptalum. Under this agreement, the Norwegian renewable energy company will develop a 1,100 MW solar power plant and a 100 MW / 200 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS). The total estimated capital expenditure for the project in Egypt is approximately $650 million. As the country’s largest aluminium producer and its most significant industrial electricity consumer, Egyptalum exports around 60 per cent of its production to Europe. The solar PV and BESS project will play a crucial role in the company’s efforts to decarbonise its operations and align with the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) regulations set to take effect in 2026. Scatec chief executive Terj...
Hydro Energi AS has entered into a long-term power purchase agreement (PPA) with NTE, securing a total delivery of 660 GWh of electricity from 2027 to 2029. This agreement will contribute to Hydro Energi's overall power portfolio, which includes 9.4 TWh of annual captive power production and a long-term contract portfolio of approximately 10 TWh. Image Source: Hydro website The contract is set to run from January 1, 2027, to December 31, 2029, with deliveries in the NO3 price area. As a key player in the Nordic power market, Hydro Energi is responsible for sourcing renewable electricity to support Hydro's aluminium production. Access to renewable energy is crucial for producing low-carbon aluminium in Norway, resulting in a carbon footprint around 75 per cent lower than the global...
Tata Power shares surged by 3 per cent in early trading on Monday, hitting an intraday high of INR 361.85 on the BSE. The rise followed an announcement that its subsidiary, Tata Power Renewable Energy Ltd (TPREL), had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Andhra Pradesh government to develop renewable energy projects worth INR 49,000 crore ($ 5.6 billion). Image Source: TPREL page on Twitter Under the agreement, TPREL and the state government will collaborate to explore opportunities for establishing up to 7,000 MW of renewable energy capacity, including solar, wind, and hybrid projects, with or without storage solutions. Last month, Tata Power signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Assam government during Advantage Assam 2.0 to develop up to 5,000 MW of...
Amid a turbulent market and a rapidly shifting energy landscape, BP (formerly known as British Petroleum) has embarked on a bold strategic pivot that has sent ripples through both the financial and environmental communities. Image for referential purposes only The incident, which caught the eyeballs of climate activists The London-based energy giant, once celebrated for its progressive green ambitions, has decided to reallocate its focus back to its historically profitable oil and gas production. This dramatic turnaround, revealed in the company’s “Reset BP” announcement, comes on the heels of a year marked by staggering share price declines and the desperate hope of reviving investor confidence through increased earnings and boosted shareholder returns. In a move that has sparked fierce...
YKK AP America, a brand that designs and manufactures high-quality architectural products for the construction industry, has unlocked a significant milestone. YKK AP will now source 80 per cent of its aluminium from low-carbon suppliers across North America. This is a great achievement in a time when sustainability is one of the most sought-after criteria. The company's commitment goes beyond sustainable materials, extending to its vertically integrated manufacturing processes for full control over production, quality, and sustainability. According to company officials, this milestone is part of YKK AP's "Evolution 2030" initiative. YKK AP melts and casts its own aluminium billets in-house, ensuring consistency while embracing a circular production model — recycling 100% of in-house...
On Wednesday, March 5, news emerged of a multi-year strategic deal between Press Metal Aluminium and Novelis Korea Limited, where the former will supply its low-carbon certified aluminium product, GEM, made with renewable energy, to the latter. Image source: Press Metal GEM is a new series of low-carbon aluminium from the house of Press Metal, emitting less than 4 tonnes of CO2 emissions per tonne of aluminium (in Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions) while being produced, an ideal choice for Novelis as it aims to push the boundaries of its products by infusing up to 75 per cent of recycled content, from today's 63 per cent, in a bid to become a leading supplier of flat-rolled aluminium products with the least emissions, lower than three tonnes of CO2e. Doing justice to its name,...
Battery waste poses a significant environmental threat, containing substances harmful to human health and ecosystems. However, these discarded batteries also contain valuable materials like nickel, which is essential for manufacturing new batteries. Thus, the development of efficient recycling methods is more urgent than ever. Researchers at TU Wien (Vienna University of Technology) have devised an innovative process for extracting nickel from spent nickel-metal hydride batteries. But their breakthrough goes even further: By combining this recovered nickel with used aluminium foil , such as kitchen foil, they have created a nanocatalyst capable of converting CO₂ into valuable methane. This dual-purpose solution tackles the growing problem of battery waste and provides a climate-neutral...
