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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Airfoil, a global leader in air diffusion since 1976, has reportedly announced its significant move to adopt Capral's low-carbon aluminium LocAl® Green for manufacturing its premium air conditioning components and accessories. This transition is part of Airfoil's initiatives to produce greener building materials for eco-friendly infrastructures. Adopting LocAl® Green aluminium will also help the Australian company meet the increasing market demand for low-carbon products in the building & construction sector. Capral's LocAl® range of primary aluminium has two variants - LocAl® Green with carbon emissions of 8kg CO2e/kg and LocAl® Super Green with 4kg CO2e/kg, amongst the lowest carbon aluminium available globally. Airfoil particularly chooses Capral's LocAl® Green, which perfectly aligns...
In its 2023 ESG summary overview, PepsiCo, the American multinational food, snack, and beverage corporation headquartered in Harrison, New York, revealed that it has projected to fall 2 per cent short of its ambitious target of designing 100 per cent of its packaging for recyclability, compostability, biodegradability, or reusability by 2025. The company attributes this shortfall to a unique set of challenges. Despite the setback, PepsiCo has made some progress in reducing its environmental footprint. Compared to its 2020 baseline, the company reported a 1 per cent reduction in the use of virgin plastic from non-renewable sources per serving across its global beverages and convenience foods portfolio. However, the absolute tonnage of virgin plastic derived from non-renewable resources...
Speira's substantial industrial investment in Norway's Vestfold province is materialising with the installation of a new furnace, costing over NOK 400 million. The project, set to integrate the furnace into Speira's Holmestrand foundry, is slated for completion by summer 2026, marking a significant expansion effort. Speira's supervisory bodies have so far approved a NOK 414 million investment for a new furnace dedicated to recycled materials at their foundry in Holmestrand. This furnace has been a long-desired addition to the Holmestrand site, enabling it to process an additional 22,000 tonnes of scrap annually. "This investment secures a large number of jobs in Holmestrand for the foreseeable future. The old furnace has been in place for 50 years, and the new one is expected to last at...
Capral Aluminium is excited to announce the upcoming trials of Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C. (Alba) 's EternAl-30 and EternAl-15 primary aluminium billets, which feature 30 per cent and 15 per cent recycled content. The groundbreaking low-carbon aluminium product This significant introduction into the Australian aluminium sector aims to establish pioneering carbon reduction and recycled material usage standards. This initiative underscores Capral's steadfast commitment to sustainability and innovation, affirming the pledge to deliver superior, environmentally conscious aluminium solutions to manufacturers across Australia. Alba's Chief Executive Officer Ali Al Baqali stated, "This groundbreaking low-carbon aluminium product marks a major milestone in our journey towards a sustainable future,...
The world's leading mining company, Rio Tinto, has announced the construction of two 5.25MW solar farms in Gumatj and Rirratjingu, a traditional country in the Gove Peninsula, Northern Territory. This is a significant step towards securing a sustainable power supply. The Gumatj and Rirratjingu, Traditional Owner Groups, have approved the solar farms, which will be built on Rio Tinto leases. The initiative aims to provide a low-carbon energy future for the Gove community as mining operations in the region are projected to cease by the end of the decade. Aggreko, a global leader in mobile and modular power solutions, will construct, own, and operate the solar farms. Construction is slated to begin in July 2024 and be completed by early 2025. The two sites will collectively offer a capacity...
Indonesia, with its rich deposits of critical minerals, stands poised at the forefront of the global supply chain, particularly in the burgeoning electric vehicle (EV) market. The 2024 US Geological Survey report underscores Indonesia's dominance, placing it first worldwide in nickel reserves, which are crucial for EV batteries. Additionally, Indonesia ranks among the world's top tin producers, an essential component in smartphone manufacturing. Beyond nickel and tin, Indonesia's mineral wealth includes significant deposits of cobalt, bauxite, and copper. Indonesia has trade restrictions on bauxite and nickel. In 2020, the nation prohibited the export of nickel, and in 2023, it banned the export of bauxite . Indonesia has previously planned to impose a ban on exports of copper concentrate...
According to a recent report, Capral Aluminium, Australia’s largest extruder and distributor of industry-leading aluminium products, has secured its first ASI Chain of Custody (CoC) certified shipment from the Norwegian aluminium company Hydro. Receipt of the first ASI-certified aluminium establishes Capral’s value and commitment towards sustainability and responsible metal sourcing practices across the supply chain. This milestone also builds Capral’s strategic partnership with Hydro for the supply of ASI CoC-certified aluminium. The Aluminium Stewardship Initiative and its Chain of Custody (CoC) certification are recognised globally as premium standards for responsible production, sourcing, and stewardship of aluminium throughout the supply chain. The Chain of Custody Standard...
A groundbreaking network arch bridge featuring a fully aluminium support structure is currently under construction in Trondheim, Norway. The project stands out due to its extensive use of recycled materials, with one-third of the aluminium sourced from the decommissioned Gyda Oil Platform. The bridge will also be supported by stainless steel tension rods. The footbridge will span 55 meters in length and 9 meters in width and weigh 60 tonnes upon completion. This ambitious project is a collaborative effort between the Norwegian Public Roads Administration and Leirvik, a leading engineering, procurement, and construction supplier specialising in aluminium projects . Construction of the bridge commenced in May, with the installation slated for June 2025. Once completed, the footbridge will...
Hydro will conduct a three-year industrial-scale pilot at Hydro Høyanger, Norway, and test green hydrogen technology in their new recycling unit. This initiative aims to replace fossil energy, particularly liquid natural gas, in the remelting process of 100 per cent post-consumer scrap aluminium. About the project This project leverages Hydro's expertise in both energy and aluminium. Hydro's green hydrogen unit, Hydro Havrand, has secured soft funding of up to NOK 83.3 million from the Norwegian Government (Enova) to facilitate this pilot. The aluminium produced in the recycling process will be utilised to further reduce the CO 2 footprint of aluminium products from Hydro's Norwegian smelters. By leveraging green hydrogen, Hydro seeks to achieve zero-carbon aluminium production,...
Mexico-based aluminium auto components supplier Nemak has been accredited by the ASI Performance Standard V3 certification for its facilities in García, Nuevo León. This includes Plants 5 & 6, the Prototype Development Centre, and the Melting Centre of Nemak México. Nemak also achieved the same certification for its facilities in Poland, Slovakia, and Brazil in April. Knut Bentin, VP of Administration Americas, said, "We are honoured to be the first company based in Mexico to receive the ASI Performance Standard V3 certification. This prestigious recognition not only highlights our commitment to sustainability but also underscores our dedication to our people, customers, and community. It affirms our efforts to lead in creating a sustainable mobility industry. At Nemak, we are driving...
Aluminium Stewardship Initiative announced the joining of Aminco Resources as the new General Supportive member. Established in 1986, Aminco Resources specializes in supplying carbon materials and complementary products like aluminium fluoride and crushed bath to the global primary aluminium industry. Aminco collaborates closely with its customers, offering solutions in logistics, financing, and risk management and providing carbon technology expertise to help reduce raw material costs through improved carbon consumption. The company partners with R&D Carbon Ltd of Switzerland to technically support the production of its carbon products and assist customers in optimizing product consumption. “Aminco is looking forward to working with ASI members in supporting the sustainable development...
Hupfer, in its commitment to foster sustainability and a circular economy, has innovatively introduced a 'buy back guarantee' programme for aluminium and stainless steel shelving. This unique initiative allows Hupfer to repurchase eligible products at the end of their lifespan, with the scrap value being deducted from the cost of replacement products, offering our customers a cost-effective and eco-friendly solution. "Either way, our customers can claim back the scrap metal cost of the Hupfer product, safe in the knowledge that it will be reused or recycled. We all need to do what we can to support a greener future. Stainless steel and aluminium are 100% recyclable and retain their natural properties no matter how many times they are recycled," stated Marc Sumner. This initiative...
Hydro has finalised the sale of 49.9 per cent of its renewable energy subsidiary, Hydro Rein, to Macquarie Asset Management. Initially announced in October 2023, this transaction marks a significant milestone in Hydro's strategy to expand its renewable energy portfolio. The transaction has assigned a value of USD 333 million to Hydro Rein as of June 30, 2023, subject to any closing adjustments. Macquarie will contribute USD 214 million at closing, with the funds to be transferred by June 25, 2024. The remaining committed capital will be injected gradually as per the project requirements, ensuring a steady financial support for Hydro Rein's operations. "We are excited to conclude the transaction, marking the next chapter in our renewable energy partnership with Macquarie Asset Management....
China's progressive transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy, harnessed from sunlight and water for power generation, is instilling a sense of optimism. This shift, by the world's largest polluter, is a promising step towards achieving net-zero emissions, offering a beacon of hope for the global environment. Encouragingly, the usage of thermal power, which accounts for a lion's share of China's carbon footprint, was reduced by 4.3 per cent in May from the previous year, the most significant drop since 2022. Instead, thermal power was largely replaced by hydroelectricity. In May, hydropower generation in China surged 39 per cent after heavy rains fed a recovery in Southwest China's Yunnan province, one of the world's largest hydropower-producing regions. Output from large solar...
South32 proudly announces the Soil Shift open innovation challenge in collaboration with Unearthed! The globally diversified mining and metals company headquartered in Perth, Western Australia, South32's mission is to discover innovative methods for delivering high-quality soils while rehabilitating its mined assets. Join South32 in shaping the future of sustainable mining. Soil and subsoil, crucial for successfully rehabilitating mined assets as they transition into closure activities, are not just a local concern. The establishment of vegetation, a vital part of this rehabilitation, is often hindered by a shortage of soil or reduced soil quality. This challenge is prevalent globally, as the rehabilitated areas typically exceed the original footprint from which topsoil was extracted...
Gränges Americas is making significant strides to reduce its carbon footprint by seeking out low-carbon primary aluminium to produce its aluminium solutions. This initiative is part of the company's broader commitment to mitigate climate impact across its entire value chain, encompassing operational practices and material procurement. Gränges has set ambitious long-term climate goals for 2030 and 2040, validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), ensuring alignment with the latest climate science. Central to these goals is the strategic increase in recycling and the procurement of low-carbon primary aluminium. Through strategic alliances with major suppliers such as Rio Tinto and Alcoa, Gränges Americas has secured access to third-party verified low-carbon primary aluminium....
In an important step towards modernising agricultural education, the Jamaica Bauxite Institute (JBI) and Papine High School have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), allowing the school to use a greenhouse for the school's agriculture program. The signing ceremony took place recently at the JBI headquarters in St. Andrew, where the greenhouse is located. This collaborative effort is designed to empower students with cutting-edge greenhouse growing techniques, aligning their skills with the dynamic needs of the modern agricultural sector. The JBI, in its commitment, will provide technical guidance, seedlings, and other essential resources to support the program. The maintenance and upkeep of the greenhouse will be a shared responsibility between the two entities, ensuring a hands-on...
Aluminium Stewardship Initiative has successfully acknowledged HMT Höfer Metall Technik GmbH & Co. KG (HMT) with Performance Standard V3 (2022) Certification for responsibly producing low-carbon emission aluminium profiles. Part of the Höfer group, HMT is a Germany-based, high-tech aluminium extrusion plant that manufactures semi-finished aluminium products. The extrusion plant is specialised in producing aluminium profiles. It produces up to thirty tonnes of aluminium billets daily, leveraging two fully automatic extrusion lines. The facility's processes include sawing, stamping, drilling, milling, and joining, with products serving the automotive and construction industries, amongst other sectors. HMT's commitment to responsible production was put to the test through a rigorous,...
