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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On Tuesday, February 6, the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative announced that it issued a Provisional Performance Standard V2 certification to Zhengzhou Guandong Aluminum Industry Co. Ltd. for the production of aluminium sheet and coil at its Gongyi Guandong Metal Technology Co., Ltd. facility in Henan Province. The provisional certification is valid for one year, during which Zhengzhou Guandong Aluminum Industry can learn and improve sustainable practices and then seek full accreditation. The aluminium sheet and coil produced at Gongyi Guandong Metal Technology Co., Ltd. facility are primarily used in aviation technology, electronic appliances, transportation, architectural decoration, food packaging, and laser printing. The ASI Performance Standard V2 certification defines environmental,...
Hindalco Industries has acquired a 26 per cent stake in Ayana Renewable Power Four for INR 1.62 crore in its latest move towards bolstering its renewable energy portfolio. This strategic investment aims to ensure a sustainable energy supply for its smelter in Odisha, with plans to provide 100 MW of round-the-clock energy. As Hindalco solidifies its position as one of the foremost producers of primary aluminium in the nation, with manufacturing facilities spread across Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Odisha, this acquisition marks a significant milestone. The transaction, completed in cash on Wednesday, now designates Ayana Renewable as an associate company of Hindalco Industries, per the disclosure made in an exchange filing. Ayana Renewable , headquartered in Bengaluru and established...
Renewable energy frontrunner Pacific Green has unveiled plans for a humungous 2.5 gigawatt-hour grid-scale battery energy park in Portland, strategically positioned near the Portland Aluminium smelter and the Portland Water Treatment Plant. This forward-thinking project aligns with Pacific Green's commitment to advancing sustainable energy solutions. Pacific Green is a leading force in renewable energy, spearheading innovative projects that redefine the energy landscape. With a vision focused on sustainability, the company consistently pioneers developments that contribute to a cleaner, greener future. Overview of the Portland Aluminium Smelter and the Portland Water Treatment Plant Situated in the heart of the industrial zone, the Portland Aluminium smelter stands as a symbol of the...
Mozambique, poised on the brink of a historic energy shift, plans to reclaim control of its hydropower supply from South Africa, stirring ripples in the continent's industrial powerhouse. The proposed strategy, revealed in an unreleased document obtained by Bloomberg, unveils Mozambique's intention to divert the 1,150 megawatts currently exported to South Africa from the Cahora Bassa plant for its domestic needs. This move, while addressing Mozambique's energy priorities, casts a shadow over South Africa's battle with power shortages and raises concerns for Mozambique's second-largest aluminium smelter, Mozal. The Energy Transition Strategy - Impact on South Africa Mozambique's imminent energy transition hinges on the reclamation of power from the Cahora Bassa plant post the December 31,...
The ongoing trend in China is aligned with the global industry-wide push for carbon reduction. It signifies the Chinese aluminium industry's commitment to meeting the country's carbon reduction mandates for high-energy-consuming sectors. Renewable energy-sourced aluminium encompasses liquid and ingot forms produced using environmentally friendly sources. While thermal power has traditionally been the primary energy source for the aluminium industry in China, there has been a rapid increase in the utilisation of green power, particularly hydroelectric power, as reported by AL Circle's latest industry-focused report, " Global Aluminium Industry Outlook 2024" . During 2014-2015, approximately 87-90 per cent of the energy utilised by Chinese aluminium smelters was derived from thermal power,...
The Middle East is transitioning significantly towards a more sustainable aluminium industry, propelled by both environmental concerns and economic imperatives. With abundant energy resources and a growing awareness of the importance of environmental stewardship, countries in the region are increasingly investing in cleaner and more efficient production methods. This shift includes adopting advanced technologies such as renewable energy-powered smelters, implementing stringent emissions controls, and optimising resource usage throughout production. Furthermore, there's a burgeoning emphasis on recycling and circular economy principles to minimise waste and reduce the reliance on primary aluminium production. As a result, the Middle East is poised not only to meet its aluminium demand...
Vedanta Aluminium, the largest aluminium producer in India, proudly announces its top-ranking position in the prestigious S&P Corporate Sustainability Assessment (CSA) rankings for the aluminium industry during the 2023 assessment period. This significant achievement reaffirms Vedanta Aluminium as the world's leading sustainable aluminium producer, surpassing its global counterparts in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices. The S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment (CSA) stands as an annual litmus test for companies' commitment to sustainability, encompassing a vast array of over 10,000 global entities. Renowned for its rigorous evaluation, the CSA meticulously scrutinizes sustainability criteria that are both industry-specific and financially impactful, earning...
The sustainability sector is seeing a massive bloom with divergent green activities around nooks and corners. These initiatives collectively contribute to a sustainable economy by reducing carbon emissions, promoting the use of renewable energy sources, and innovating in recycling and green hydrogen production, aligning with global efforts to foster environmental responsibility and sustainability. Fusina started sourcing 100% low-carbon primary aluminium for its tailor-made industrial products Niche Fusina Rolled Products (Fusina) is sourcing 100% of its primary aluminium from low-carbon suppliers through Concord Resources Limited to reduce the total carbon footprint of its tailor-made coils, sheets, and plates. Fusina's new commitment ensures that all of its primary aluminium supply is...
Aluminium Stewardship Initiative has reportedly certified China Hongqiao Group Co., Ltd. against the Performance Standard V3 (2022) Certification for designing and producing aluminium and aluminium alloy high-precision foil at two of its subsidiaries in Shandong, China. Weihai Chenxin New Material Co., Ltd. and Weihai Haixin New Material Co., Ltd. are the two subsidiaries of China Hongqiao Group that have received the certification. In addition to producing aluminium alloy high-precision foil, the subsidiaries also produce aluminium belts and plates. The rolling facilities have an annual production capacity of 120,000 tonnes and 30,000 tonnes, respectively. The products they produce have wide applications in the packaging and industrial sectors. China Hongqiao Group’s subsidiaries...
Aluminium, the second most utilised metal worldwide, holds diverse and foundational applications, from electrical transmission to defence and construction. Notably, aluminium is a crucial input in manufacturing goods that contribute to emissions reduction, such as electric vehicles and energy-efficient buildings. This dual role underscores the significance of decarbonising aluminium, as it can positively influence industries pivotal to global climate efforts. As the repercussions of climate change intensify, nations and industries are actively exploring innovative approaches to decarbonise, aiming to meet emissions targets, mitigate the risk of carbon border tariffs, and alleviate energy costs. Industrial energy consumption is the primary contributor to global greenhouse gas (GHG)...
Rio Tinto is set to spearhead the development of Australia's largest solar power project, the 1.1GW Upper Calliope Solar Farm, situated near Gladstone. In a significant move towards sustainable practices, Rio Tinto has committed to purchasing all the electricity generated by the solar farm, aiming to supply renewable power to its operations in Gladstone. The 25-years power purchase agreement (PPA) agreement with European Energy Australia is part of Rio Tinto's commitment to make its aluminium operations on the East Coast sustainable and reduce its direct and indirect emissions by 50 per cent by 2030. This initiative underscores Rio Tinto's commitment to incorporating renewable energy sources and advancing sustainability in its operations. With the incorporation of additional renewable...
From September 2023, the leading aluminium rolling mill, Niche Fusina Rolled Products (Fusina), started to source 100 per cent of its primary aluminium from low-carbon suppliers via Concord Resources Limited. Precise carbon footprints are provided by CarbonChain. Sourcing material in this way reduces the total carbon footprint of Italy-based Fusina’s tailor-made coils, sheets and plates, thereby offering its customers (predominantly industrial manufacturers) a wider range of lower-carbon products. This follows the recent roll-out of Fusina’s carbon transparency scheme, which provides product carbon footprint reports to every customer in all markets (and to prospective buyers on request). Fusina already offers a range of lower-carbon aluminium products relative to the industry average...
Leading global mining and metals companies have taken a groundbreaking step towards supporting a nature positive future by 2030. These firms, representing a significant portion of the industry, have committed to urgent action prioritising the health, diversity, and resilience of species, ecosystems, and natural processes. The International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM) members, acknowledging the critical role of responsibly produced minerals and metals in achieving global sustainable development goals, have pledged to meet the demand for essential materials without compromising nature. Five-point plan for nature: The commitments, shaped by experts and leaders across various disciplines, outline a comprehensive 5-point plan for nature. Protecting pristine areas: No mining or...
A team of scientists led by Professors RB Harikrishna, Hemagni Deka, T Sundararajan, and G Ranga Rao from the Department of Chemical Engineering at IIT Madras has successfully demonstrated the utilisation of discarded metal wastes like aluminium cans as feed materials for the thermochemical production of green hydrogen. In this process, hydrogen gas is generated by splitting water using industrial waste metal scrap at elevated temperatures. While the initial stage of the process requires a substantial energy input to achieve the desired temperature, the researchers highlight that the subsequent stages benefit from the exothermic nature of the reaction, allowing for a reduction in energy input. The details of their findings are published in a recent article in The International Journal of...
A group of innovative students from the Sepuluh Nopember Institute of Technology (ITS) has achieved a breakthrough by transforming used aluminium into a sustainable energy source. M Rizki Akbar, the leader of the ITS PKM-RE team, shared that his inspiration for this research stemmed from his concern about the accumulation of cans and used aluminium foil in the laboratory. Known by the nickname Kiba, this student highlighted the significance of the pre-treatment phase in obtaining clean aluminium metal that is free from impurities. A 60-second pre-treatment revealed that 0.5 grams of aluminium cans could generate an impressive 233.93 milliwatts of electrical power. In stark contrast, untreated aluminium cans only yielded a mere 29.78 milliwatts. Through their participation in the Exact...
Aluminium production is energy-intensive, primarily through the smelting process. Many companies have invested in technologies and practices to enhance energy efficiency, such as adopting more sustainable energy sources and improving overall production processes. Sustainability in the aluminium industry was gaining momentum, driven by various factors such as environmental concerns, regulatory pressures, and market demands for responsibly sourced materials. Recycling aluminium is a key aspect of sustainability in the industry. Aluminium is highly recyclable, and recycling requires significantly less energy compared to primary production. Many companies have been increasing their focus on recycling and incorporating recycled content into their products. Here are the latest sustainability...
Shandong Huajian Aluminium's successful inclusion in the "green factory" list and recognition as a "national green factory" are significant achievements that reflect the company's commitment to sustainable and environmentally friendly practices. The General Office of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology's announcement of the 2023 green manufacturing list and the introduction of the "enterprise green code" underscores the importance of promoting green manufacturing for the overall development of the manufacturing industry. Huajian Aluminium's dedication to "green water and green mountains are gold mountains and silver mountains" aligns with the broader goal of building a manufacturing powerhouse focusing on sustainability. By consistently following a green development path...
To bridge the ecological gap with sustainability and green energy initiatives, Egypt's Ministry of the Public Business Sector and Scatec ASA, a renowned Norwegian renewable power producer, are exploring the development of a solar project. This venture aims to provide clean energy to power the aluminium complex situated in Nagaa Hammadi, Upper Egypt, marking a significant step towards reducing environmental impact in the aluminium industry. The recent meeting between Minister Mahmoud Esmat and Scatec representatives centred around a proposal for a solar plant equipped with a battery system. This innovative approach is intended to ensure a clean and reliable source of electricity for the aluminium factory. Discussions encompassed the economic feasibility, production costs, selling prices,...
