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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Leading the way in sustainable logistics, the Woodland Group and Ball Corporation have always prioritised transparency, social responsibility, and carbon footprint reduction. In addition, the company is intensifying its focus on supply chain sustainability, exploring alternative fuels and EV technology in partnership with Ball Corporation, a leader in sustainable aluminium packaging. This dedication has been highlighted by key accomplishments, including earning the prestigious gold EcoVadis certification and installing solar panels at major locations. These initiatives now enable the company to source over 60 per cent of its energy from renewable sources. Collab between Woodland Group and Ball Corporation The collaboration between Woodland Group and Ball Corporation is dedicated to...
Suntory Oceania has begun production at its AU$400 million (US$260.8 million) facility in Australia, with plans to manufacture its ready-to-drink (RTD) brands by mid-2025. Underpinned by quality, craftsmanship and a strong sense of purpose, Suntory's spirits division, Suntory Global Spirits, teamed up with its beverage subsidiary, Frucor Suntory, last year. The brand is also known for its sustainable initiatives, like incorporating 100 per cent recycled aluminium cans for its limited edition drinks. A key part of the upcoming RTD venture is constructing a net-zero facility in Ipswich, Queensland, marking the largest investment in Australia's fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector in over a decade. The partnership was done to form an AU$3 billion (US$1.96 billion) venture across...
China-based Chongqing Millison Technologies has achieved the ASI Chain of Custody (CoC) Standard V2 (2022) Certification for its re-melting, casting, and processing operations for aluminium alloy parts in Banan District. Earlier in January 2024 the company had also achieved the ASI Performance Standard V3 (2022) certification for its facility in the Banan District . In addition, the facilities achieved ASI Performance Standard V3 (2022) Certification in December 2023. The Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI) announced the certification, highlighting the facility's key processes, which include remelting, die-casting, cleaning/shot blasting, and machining, with a designed production capacity of 30,000 tonnes. An independent, third-party audit of Chongqing Millison Technologies Inc.'s...
The United Centre, home to the Chicago Bulls and Blackhawks has recently partnered with Culligan, the global water treatment company, to promote using recyclable aluminium to replace plastic. This new partnership will see more use of aluminium bottles or cans, eliminating single-use plastic water bottles. In a world where sustainability and emission reduction have become the primary goal, the use of aluminium has increased significantly, with many companies shifting towards green metal to ensure an environment-friendly production or usage. Starting this September, recyclable aluminium bottles will replace plastic water bottles at concession stands, locker rooms, and stadium boxes. The arena will also feature new filtered water fountains, including some for sparkling water, and nearly 100...
While global investment in renewable energy continues to surge, a critical bottleneck is hindering progress: insufficient power grid capacity. According to estimates, solar and wind facilities capable of producing electricity equivalent to 480 nuclear reactors remain disconnected from transmission networks in both the U.S. and Europe. This issue is not isolated to the West. South Korea's government recently denied U.S. asset manager BlackRock's proposal to build an offshore wind farm in Asia, citing a lack of available grid capacity, as reported by local media. The challenge of connecting new renewable projects to the grid is becoming a significant roadblock. Data from the International Energy Agency (IEA) reveals that the world added approximately 560 gigawatts of renewable power...
Versalux, a pioneer in bringing state-of-the-art lighting systems to the Australian market, is scaling up its sustainability drive by adopting locally sourced low-carbon aluminium from Capral Aluminium, Australia's largest extruder and distributor of industry-leading aluminium products. Embracing Capral's low-carbon aluminium LocAl® represents Versalux's commitment to environmental stewardship and decarbonising commercial buildings to combat climate change. In addition, this move also sets a positive example for the lighting industry in terms of working towards producing sustainable products. Versalux has adopted Capral aluminium for two popular lighting products – INFINITI and VERSATUBE. INFINITI is a modern luminaire solution designed for mounting in long lengths. It is exclusively...
Aston Martin, a British manufacturer of luxury sports cars and grand tourers, is set to advance its sustainability efforts with £6 million in funding from the UK Government for an innovative project focused on developing lightweight, sustainable aluminium castings for future vehicles. The luxury sports car brand has obtained funding for its Project PIVOT through the Advanced Propulsion Centre UK (APC) following a competitive process. Project PIVOT is a collaborative five-partner research and development project led by an England-based aluminium supplier, Sarginsons, and supported by Aston Martin. This project seeks to achieve a new milestone in the global casting industry by modernising designs, reducing weight, and significantly curbing carbon emissions while producing cast aluminium....
The global mining and metal giant Rio Tinto has announced plans to develop Pongamia seed farms in Australia as part of a new biofuels pilot project to produce renewable diesel. The project will explore the potential of Pongamia seed oil as a feedstock for renewable diesel. This promising and innovative approach could position it as a cleaner alternative to conventional fossil fuels. The initiative seeks to assess whether Pongamia seed oil can meet Rio Tinto's future renewable diesel needs while fostering the growth of the biofuel industry in Australia. The company is in the final stages of acquiring around 3,000 hectares of cleared land near Townsville, Queensland, where it will establish farms to monitor seed growth and measure oil yields under local conditions. Rio Tinto has partnered...
Goldco® Security has recently been recognised as the National Security Screen Association (NSSA) Medium Business Winner for 2024, underscoring its leadership in the industry. As part of its commitment to sustainability and social responsibility, Goldco® has adopted Capral's LocAl® Super Green low-carbon aluminium for its Amplimesh® Security range. This move highlights Goldco®'s dedication to environmental stewardship and positions it at the forefront of sustainability in the security screen manufacturing sector. Capral's LocAl® Super Green aluminium, produced using hydroelectric power, boasts an impressive low embodied carbon footprint of just 4kg CO2 per 1kg of aluminium. This makes it one of the most environmentally friendly primary aluminium options available. By incorporating this...
Imagine a future where the air is clean, the skies are clear, and our energy sources are as renewable as the sun and wind themselves. At the heart of this green transformation lies an unsung hero—aluminium. However, it might not always have captured the spotlight like more glamorous materials, this unassuming metal is quietly driving a revolution in renewable energy. Alternative and clean energy sources drive ongoing research and development in the aluminium industry, sparking process innovations. From solar panels to wind turbines, aluminium has become an essential material in today's renewable energy landscape. Solar and wind energy have emerged as promising alternatives for powering aluminium smelting operations. However, their intermittent nature presents a challenge that can be...
Aluminium Stewardship Initiative has announced the certification of Hammerer Aluminium Industries against the Performance Standard V3 with provisional status. Hammerer Aluminium (HAI) specialises in casting and extruding aluminium, with an annual capacity of 250,000 tonnes and 125,000 tonnes, respectively. The company has acquired the ASI certification for the production of high-quality extruded aluminium profiles, fabricated and surface-treated aluminium profiles, and fabricated and welded aluminium components at its Soest facility in Germany. The specified plant has the ability to produce 25,000 tonnes of aluminium products in a year. The provisional certification is valid for one year, during which it serves as a strategic and flexible approach for aluminium companies to gain access to...
China-based Baise Yinhai Aluminum was recently honoured with the "Green Factory" title by the Department of Industry and Information Technology of Guangxi Autonomous Region. In recent years, Baise Yinhai Aluminum has been at the forefront of promoting the "green electricity melting aluminium" development model in the region. The company has enhanced research and application of energy-saving, carbon-reducing electrolytic technologies and low-carbon patents. Through a series of energy-efficient upgrades, including the implementation of fully graphitised cathode technology, the company's comprehensive AC power consumption for aluminium production has dropped below 13,200 kWh per ton of aluminium, positioning its energy consumption index for electrolytic aluminium at an industry-leading...
Constellium, a global leader in developing, manufacturing, and recycling aluminium products and solutions, has reportedly acquired Performance Standard Certification from the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative for all its operations, including the corporate office in Paris. As per the report, the company has bagged ASI's latest Performance Standard Version 3.0, which sets a new benchmark for responsible production, sourcing, and stewardship of the aluminium value chain. Constellium has successfully attained that standard on all the 11 principles for its operations in Europe and North America, addressing pressing issues like material stewardship, greenhouse gas emissions, waste and water management, biodiversity, governance and labour, and human rights across its European and North American...
Recently, the Carbon Research Institute of Zhengzhou Research Institute of Chinalco achieved recognition for three significant technical advancements. These innovations have been officially designated as "Green and Low Carbon Advanced Technological Achievements of Henan Province (2024)." The three innovations are: Comprehensive Utilization Technology of Classified Resources of Aluminum Electrolytic Overhaul Slag - This enables the efficient classification and recovery of valuable elements from overhaul slag. The resulting building material products meet the required standards, while the graphitized products comply with the specifications for calcined petroleum coke used in graphitized cathode carbon blocks (YS/T 763-2019). This technology has been implemented across four enterprises. It...
Swisstek Aluminium recently earned the Gold Award in the Organisation category at the Ceylon Institute of Builders (CIOB) Green Awards 2024. This accolade underscores Swisstek's status as Sri Lanka's leading sustainable aluminium extruder, adhering to top international standards with certifications in ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2018, and ISO 50001:2018, as well as verified carbon footprint credentials. The company's dedication to sustainability is evident through its 1.5 MW rooftop solar panel system, which produces 6,000 kWh of clean energy daily and helps neutralize carbon emissions by reducing its carbon footprint by 192,600 kgCO2e each month. Additionally, Swisstek operates a Reverse Osmosis water treatment plant with a capacity of 1.5 m³ per hour, reflecting its commitment to resource...
The global leader in aluminium rolling and recycling in selected niches, Gränges has officially joined the First Movers Coalition (FMC), a strategic move aimed at accelerating the decarbonisation of the aluminium industry. This initiative is crucial for Gränges as it seeks to secure access to low-carbon primary and recycled aluminium, a key factor in minimising the environmental impact of its products and achieving its ambitious 2040 net-zero target. The FMC, an initiative spearheaded by the World Economic Forum, represents a global coalition of companies committed to leveraging their purchasing power to drive down carbon emissions in heavy industries. This includes sectors such as aluminium, aviation, cement and concrete, steel, shipping, trucking, and advancements in carbon dioxide...
On August 27, 2024, the technology leader in electrification and automation, ABB, announced an agreement to acquire Födisch Group, a leading developer of advanced measurement and analytical solutions for the energy and industrial sectors. This acquisition will enhance ABB's offerings in continuous emission monitoring systems (CEMS) and strengthen its position in technology and innovation. By integrating the Födisch Group, ABB aims to expand its portfolio to address customers' most complex measurement challenges. Födisch Group, headquartered in Markranstädt, Germany, reported revenues of approximately €50 million in 2023 and employs around 250 people. The company operates a 3,000 m² production facility in Markranstädt, with additional sites in Germany, the Netherlands, and China. Födisch...
Crown Holdings Inc., a leading supplier of beverage, food, and aerosol packaging, has achieved the ASI Performance Standard V3 (2022) Certification. This certification has been awarded to its regional management at the Asia Pacific Division office in Hoa Hiep Bac Ward and also for the production of two-piece aluminium beverage cans at CROWN Beverage Cans Danang Limited in Da Nang, Vietnam. The certification, announced today by the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI), encompasses the facility's two can lines, producing 1.4 billion cans annually. LiberoAssurance carried out the independent, third-party audit of Crown Holdings, Inc.. The ASI Certification program, developed through an extensive and rigorous multi-stakeholder consultation process, is the only comprehensive voluntary...
