Japanese aluminium manufacturer UACJ Co Ltd has signed a 20-year solar power purchase agreement (PPA) with Hokuriku Electric Power Biz Energy Solution Co Ltd to supply renewable electricity to its Fukui Works. The 7.43 MW solar project in Sakai City, Fukui Prefecture, is expected to deliver 8.5 GWh of electricity annually while reducing UACJ’s carbon dioxide emissions by 27,694 tonnes per year. Private-line solar supply to begin in November Under the agreement announced on October 26, 2026, Hokuriku Electric Power Biz Energy Solution will supply UACJ’s Fukui Works through a dedicated 4.2 km private power line. The offsite solar plant has a capacity of 5 MWAC/7.43 MWDC, with electricity deliveries scheduled to begin on November 1, 2026. Built on a 75,197-square-metre site, equivalent to...
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...
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On Tuesday, September 26, the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI) announced the joining of HMT Höfer Metall Technik as the new Production and Transformation member. HMT is a cutting-edge, technologically competent aluminium profile extrusion factory and is a member of the Höfer family. The company’s foundry produces up to 30 tonnes of aluminium billets daily in vertical casting. The employees at HMT also manufacture aluminium profiles on two of its utterly automatic extrusion lines. Their autonomous extrusion mill serves a growing international clientele, including those in the automobile and construction industries. To effectively meet the standards, HMT Höfer Metall Technik has built an effective quality management system based on ISO TS 16949. Their onsite mechanical processing...
Taha International Company for Industrial Services has agreed to market Taha's processed aluminium by-products in both the Gulf and international markets through Ta'ziz Trading and Consulting Company. Furthermore, the collaboration strives to improve environmentally sustainable practises and technology to reduce carbon emissions throughout Taha's operations, focusing on sustainability. Ammar Awachi, CEO of Taha International, stated, "This agreement serves as a pivotal step in our efforts to broaden our customer reach and explore new markets. Our key emphasis lies in addressing the requirements of the environmental industry. Notably, our company is actively advancing cooperation plans aimed at managing the entire aluminium value chain, encompassing by-products derived from the aluminium...
Aluminium Stewardship Initiative has certified Crown Holdings, Inc. against Performance Standard V2 (2017) for producing aluminium can bodies at Crown Colombiana S.A. production facilities in Tocancipá, Colombia. This is the first facility in Colombia to receive ASI certification. Earlier, Crown’s operations in Brazil, Mexico, and Thailand achieved ASI Performance Standard certification. Crown Holdings obtained ASI Performance Standard certification after a stringent, independent, third-part audit by DNV Business Assurance Services UK Ltd. The audit took place before May 31, 2023, thus the company received Performance Standard V2 certification. John Rost, Ph.D., Vice President, Global Sustainability and Regulatory Affairs at Crown, said: “As part of our Twentyby30™ program, we maintain...
Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI) announced the joining of Automotive Precision Technology (APT) as the new Production and Transformation member. Based in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a well-established automobile manufacturing expert with over 25 years of experience. APT specialises in manufacturing aluminium extruded components for a wide range of automotive applications, including car bodywork, chassis, EV battery housings, sunroof assemblies, and more, to be the preferred supplier of automotive extruded aluminium components as well as to help the global sustainability movement by delivering innovative aluminium extrusion and manufacturing services to the automotive sector to develop safer, lighter, and greener automobiles. “Automotive Precision Technology (APT)...
Cradlepoint, a Boise, Idaho-based technology company, has released a new outdoor Cradlepoint W1855-5GC Wideband Adapter. The W1855, which joins Cradlepoint's 5G portfolio, is intended to help organisations future-proof connectivity investments as they embrace Standalone (SA) 5G networks and commit to higher sustainability targets. Compared to its previously launched models, the W1855-5GC Wideband Adapter is 78 per cent smaller and 74 per cent lighter, reinforced by the aluminium housing, promoting the company's dedication to utilising environmentally produced and repurposed materials. Furthermore, the item is safely wrapped with 84 per cent less packaging that is 100 per cent plastic-free. "In addition to continuing to adhere to the latest 5G technology standards, Cradlepoint is also...
Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI) announced the joining of CITIC Dicastal CO., LTD (hence referred to as CITIC Dicastal) as the new Production and Transformation member. Dicastal Wheel Manufacturing Co., Ltd is the predecessor of CITIC DICASTAL CO., LTD (hence referred to as CITIC Dicastal) and is the first aluminium producer in China mainland, which CITIC Group invested in in 1988. CITIC Dicastal conducted a shareholding structure reform in October 2007 and formally changed its name to CITIC Dicastal CO., LTD in August 2012. "Dicastal will join ASI to meet the requirements of the customers and to help with the development of sustainability for the industry, and in the meantime help build a better future for all," said Wes Wang, Key Account Manager. In terms of its development...
Constellium SE, a prominent global entity in the aluminium industry, has demonstrated a deep-seated dedication to sustainable practices throughout its operations. This commitment stems from the company's emphasis on minimizing its environmental impact while promoting social responsibility. As a result of its efforts, Constellium SE has garnered significant recognition as a sustainability leader due to its diverse range of initiatives. Among some of the most noticeable reasons is that Constellium SE has a propensity to initiate sustainable practices required to address the growing concerns about climate change. Given its prominent role in the aluminium industry, the company acknowledges that its operations have a significant carbon footprint. To this end, Constellium SE has implemented...
The leading Norwegian aluminium company committed highly to a sustainable future, Norsk Hydro, will showcase its work with designer Lars Beller Fjetland at the London Design Festival, highlighting how collaborations may help make the metals sector more sustainable. Hydro and Fjetland collaborated earlier this year to produce the Bello! bench, a piece of outdoor seating constructed of extruded aluminium with 90 per cent recyclable material. Hydro is now showcasing the bench at Material Matters, located in Oxo Tower. This exhibition effectively conveys how the project aligns with Hydro's overarching goal of reducing carbon emissions within society. The company aims to reach net-zero emissions by 2050 and urges the industry to do the same. This strategy has prompted the business to form...
In a remarkable display of commitment to sustainability, Novelis Inc., a global leader in aluminium rolling and recycling, has unveiled its fiscal year 2023 sustainability report, showcasing substantial progress towards its ambitious sustainability objectives. The report, which encompasses a wide range of environmental, social, and community engagement metrics, underscores the company's unwavering dedication to shaping a more sustainable world. One of the standout achievements highlighted in the report is Novelis' significant reduction in absolute carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. With a target to slash emissions by 30 per cent from its FY2016 baseline by 2026, the company managed to achieve a remarkable 14 per cent reduction in FY23, encompassing scopes 1, 2, and 3 emissions. (Scope 1...
Beiersdorf, a German multinational company known for manufacturing personal-care products and pressure-sensitive adhesives, has launched its latest initiative promoting sustainability, circularity and climate protection. Beiersdorf's newly created factory in Leipzig-Seehausen is essential to this ecological endeavour, having been expressly developed to adhere to the company's "Climate Care" philosophy. Starting from 2023/24, Beiersdorf's European deodorant line-up, which includes brands such as NIVEA, 8X4, Hidrofugal, and Hansaplast, will incorporate at least 50 per cent recycled aluminium into their cans, which will also be 11.6 per cent lighter, resulting in a significant 58 per cent reduction in CO2e emissions associated with the aerosol can value chain. The factory combines...
The world is witnessing a sudden surge in the adoption of sustainable initiatives due to the impending effects of global warming and carbon emissions. Last week was a marvellous time for global standardisations as the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative presented certifications to various companies for meeting their performance standards in producing aluminium products. Ningbo Tuopu Group, Vimetco Extrusion, Constellium Muscle Shoals, and Befesa Aluminio have all received certification for their respective plants in China, Romania, Alabama, Kentucky, and Spain. The certifications cover various aspects of the production process, including casting, extrusion, recycling, and material conversion. There is a piece of great news for gadget freaks: Apple's new iPhone 15 lineup will feature a C-type...
CEFLEX is the acronym for "Circular Economy for Flexible Packaging", and in 2020, it launched the 'Designing for a Circular Economy' (D4ACE) guidelines for the European packaging sector. CEFLEX and Recyda, two experts in recyclability, have now collaborated to offer a new service called 'Design Check'. This service is available to anyone who wants to assess their packaging design journey quickly and effectively. The 'Design Check' tool was developed in response to feedback from users of the guidelines who requested a way to verify if a packaging design or specification adheres to the guidelines when assessing their packaging portfolios and developing new products with partners, suppliers, and customers. The service will be launched publicly on September 19, 2023, and an information...
Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI) announced that Befesa Aluminio's aluminium recycling factory in Erandio, Vizcaya, Spain, has been accredited with the ASI Performance Standard V3 (2022) Certification. The facility produces three finished products: aluminium ingots and alloys for moulding, 1,000 kg for remelting, and liquid aluminium. All sorts of scrap and trash from the aluminium industry are recycled, recovered, and valued by the firm. Every year, the firm manufactures around 75,000 tonnes of aluminium alloys. "We are very pleased that ASI has granted us the certification for our Erandio plant, recognizing the ESG commitment in our daily operations. Environmental, social, and governance standards are considered in all business decisions, and our ESG strategy is fully aligned with...
A new study on aluminium recycling cans conducted by the International Aluminium Institute (IAI) determines that effective global recycling of used aluminium beverage cans can save 60 million tonnes of Co2e annually by 2030. Along with IAI, Emirates Global Aluminium, Crown Holdings, Australian Aluminium Council, and Novelis led the study. The study suggests 25 levers to increase recycling and a few strategic means to improve aluminium can recycling for six countries in the Middle East, Oceania, and Asia. The recommendations have been made on assessing ongoing waste management systems in Australia, Cambodia, South Korea, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates, and Vietnam. These six countries have provided insights into their can usage, collection, and processing across different regions,...
iPhone fanatics are ecstatic since Tim Cook has permitted the biggest change ever in the Apple charging module. Apple iPhone 15 lineup, for the first time, will have a C-type charging port instead of the tech giant’s proprietary Lightning charger. Though much has changed, a lot abides by Apple’s sustainability protocol since the series uses 75% recycled aluminium and other recycled elements for its make. The latest models of iPhone, the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus, have been thoughtfully crafted with the environment in mind. Apple is committed to achieving its goal of making every product carbon-neutral by 2030, and this dedication is reflected in every stage of production, from design to manufacturing to the way customers use their devices. With a focus on clean electricity and the use...
Constellium Muscle Shoals has reportedly acquired the Performance Standard V2 (2017) Certification from the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative for producing aluminium sheets, coils, and alloys in facilities at Muscle Shoals, Alabama, and Bowling Green, Kentucky. Muscle Shoals facility manufactures aluminium sheets for the packaging industry, specialising in producing all three pivotal components of beverage cans – body stock, coated end stock, and tab stock. The facility produces over 450,000 tonnes of finished aluminium coils per year, having an annual capacity of over 1 billion pounds. Bowling Green plant produces aluminium flat rolled auto body sheet products for the automotive market, with a capacity of producing 100,000 tonnes annually. In addition, Constellium Muscle Shoals...
On Tuesday, September 12, the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI) announced that Vimetco Extrusion has been accredited with the ASI Performance Standard V2 (2017) Certification for its plant in Slatina, Romania, which manufactures extruded aluminium profiles and forms. The factory has three extrusion lines and can produce up to 35,000 tonnes annually. TÜV Rheinland Cert GmbH conducted an impartial, third-party audit of the SC Vimetco Extrusion Srl business. The audit occurred before May 31, 2023, allowing for Performance Standard V2 certification. Extruded goods and forms are manufactured for the building, construction, solar, automotive, and transportation industries and for broader industrial uses. "We congratulate Vimetco Extrusion for achieving Performance Standard Certification at...
On September 7th, the Yulian Industrial Park photovoltaic project successfully connected its first phase to the grid for power generation. The project has been constructed by Suzhou Zhongxin New Energy Co., Ltd. and utilizes the roof of the Yulian Park factory building. The project's total installed capacity is about 40 megawatts and will be constructed in two phases. The first phase, with a total capacity of 24MW, has been successfully connected to the grid for power generation through the joint efforts of all parties involved. The second phase is expected to be connected to the grid for power generation by the end of December. After completing all phases, the annual power generation will reach approximately 44 million kilowatt hours, with an average annual reduction of roughly 44000...
