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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Aluminium Stewardship Initiative has presented Performance Standard V2 (2017) Certification to Ningbo Tuopu Group Co., Ltd. under Provisional status. The certification is for the company's Light Alloy System 9th Unit in Ningbo, China, wherein it operates casting, semi-processing, aluminium remelting/refining and material conversion. Ningbo Tuopu Group Co. manufactures power chassis systems, trim systems, and intelligent driving control systems for the automotive industry, and is also engaged in research and development. Ningbo Tuopu received the certification after undergoing a stringent, independent, third-party audit carried out by TÜV Rheinland Cert GmbH. Since the audit occurred before May 31, 2023, the company acquired the Performance Standard V2 certification. The ASI Performance...
Sustainability has grown as a critical topic in the world aluminium industry, not for no reason. Every day and hour, the industry is witnessing substantial developments pertaining to sustainability. This week, three global aluminium companies bagged ASI certification, GenHydro allied with RPG Generate Group to generate abundant renewable energy, and Ayana Renewable Power signed a power purchase agreement with Hindalco Industries Limited. Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C. (Alba), as the first smelter in the Middle East, acquired the newest version of (V3) of Aluminium Stewardship Initiative's (ASI) Performance Standard Certificate, which was released in May 2023. Similar to previously earned ASI's Chain of Custody Standard Certification , this new certificate acknowledges the production and...
A novel approach to address the corrosion concerns associated with steel-reinforced concrete involves using blue clay to impart a certain amount of acidity, which is compatible with aluminium. This innovative aluminium-reinforced concrete has been claimed to resolve the aforementioned corrosion difficulties effectively. Researchers at SINTEF, a scientific institution in Norway, have successfully shown their ability to substitute a minimum of 50 per cent of the carbon-intensive Ordinary Portland Cement with calcined clay and calcium chloride. This substitution method effectively mitigates carbon emissions associated with the production process. Professor Harald Justnes, Chief Scientist at SINTEF Community, said, “Less concrete cover over reinforcement (not for durability, but mechanical...
GenHydro, a company based in Lancaster, has announced a new partnership with RPG Energy Group from Indianapolis, Indiana. The aim of this collaboration is to deploy on-site commercial-scale renewable energy power plants. These plants will offer zero emissions, reliable, on-demand energy independence and distributed hydrogen production. The goal is to help accelerate decarbonisation goals for multiple industries around the world. This partnership will leverage GenHydro’s innovative technology, which converts waste aluminium into high-value, renewable products using steam. By combining this technology with RPG’s solutions and background in the renewables and construction industry, the two companies hope to accelerate the development of the most advanced renewable energy and hydrogen...
A stunning story of victory is unfolding just beyond the gates of Clemson University's Memorial Stadium. In 2008, student-led sustainability organisations launched a small-scale initiative, including installing and collecting a limited number of blue bins on campus. In less than a decade, around 30,000 pounds of aluminium cans, plastic bottles and glass collected each football season grew to over 215,000 pounds in 2014, earning the University its first of four Gameday Recycling Challenge awards (2014, 2016, 2018, and 2021), earning national recognition for its efforts. Solid Waste, Recycling and Composting Manager Dave VanDeventer said, "Our biggest year was 2018 with over 460,000 pounds of recyclable materials. At the time, there was more focus on the collection, and we weren't educating...
The University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire is on a journey to introduce 100% recyclable 16-ounce aluminium cans, replacing similar-sized plastic bottles on the campus. This change will be visible from the beginning of autumn during the fall semester. UW-Eau Claire’s Blugold Dining locations will incorporate these aluminium cans to take a step toward sustainability. Currently, aluminium cans are the most recycled items globally because their collection, sorting and remelting processes are the simplest. Once collected, the aluminium cans may have up to 90% recycling rate in comparison with glass and PET which have 67% and 66% recycling rates, respectively. Moreover, recycling aluminium requires 90% less energy than primary aluminium production. IAI has calculated that almost 70% of the...
Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI) announced that TRIMET Aluminium has received ASI Performance Standard V2 (2017) Certifications for its facilities in Hamburg and Voerde. The facilities are known for the manufacture of molten aluminium and sows. The firm employs both primary and recycled aluminium to make molten aluminium and aluminium wire, as well as rolling ingots, extrusion billets, and casting alloys. The Hamburg factory has a capacity of 135,000 tonnes per year, while the Voerde facility has a capacity of 95,000 tonnes per year. "With the certification of our production sites in Hamburg and Voerde, we have reached an important milestone in our sustainability strategy. Because with Essen, Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne and now Hamburg and Voerde, all of our primary production sites...
In a significant step towards sustainability, MBS Architectural, known for its commitment to excellence in the construction industry, has transitioned to Capral's LocAl® Green Lower Carbon Aluminium for its Apollo Concealed Clip Aluminium Batten System. This strategic shift empowers architects, designers, builders, and developers with a cleaner and greener alternative for their projects, aligning with the growing demand for eco-friendly building materials. Moreover, this action will cut down the carbon emissions linked to their range by over 500 tonnes annually. The Apollo Concealed Clip Aluminium Batten System is a modular and highly customizable solution adaptable to various project-specific needs. Designed for both wall and ceiling applications, it offers architects and designers...
Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C. (Alba) has emerged as the first smelter in the Middle East to have acquired the newest version (V3) of Aluminium Stewardship Initiative's (ASI) Performance Standard Certificate, which was released in May 2023. The new certification is valid for three years, with effect from August 31, 2023. Alba has achieved the certificate following a rigorous on-site audit of its facilities. Similar to previously earned ASI's Chain of Custody Standard Certification , this new certificate acknowledges the production and marketing of primary aluminium from alumina, calcinations of petroleum coke, water desalination, anode manufacturing, smelting, casting, and captive power generation at Alba's calciner and smelter sites in Bahrain. On receiving the certification, Alba's Chief...
Aluminium Stewardship Initiative has presented Performance Standard V2 (2017) Certification to ALUMINERA EXTRUSION S.A. for extruding aluminium profiles in Barcelona facility, Spain. The plant integrates a die warehouse with a capacity for over 10,000 references. ALUMINERA produces aluminium profiles for a wide range of industries, including building & construction and automotive & railway. The facility has an estimated production capacity of over 12,000 tonnes per year. ALUMINERA received the certification after undergoing a stringent audit by a third-party firm DNV Business Assurance Services UK Ltd. Since the audit occurred before May 31, 2023, the company bagged a Performance Standard V2 certification. On receiving the certification, Pedro Jimenez Carmona, CEO at Aluminera Extrusion...
Premium luxury brand Chanel has introduced its Collection No. 31 Lipstick to the market with a freshly conceived glass case holding 100% recyclable aluminium refills for enhanced sustainability and environmental consciousness. Chanel Collection No. 31 Lipstick upholds Gabrielle Chanel's ideology of sophistication with a tinge of pro-societal values. Chanel has always been a symbol of elegance, luxury, and innovation in the world of beauty. Their latest masterpiece, Chanel Collection No. 31 Lipstick, sets a new standard of beauty that embodies the essence of pure simplicity. Drawing inspiration from Gabrielle Chanel's avant-garde art, this lipstick breaks through stereotypes and sets new trends in beauty techniques, habits, and attitudes. Chanel Collection No. 31 Lipstick is a testament to...
Ayana Renewable Power, a major Independent Power Producer (IPP) in India, has made a significant achievement by signing a Power Purchase Agreement with Hindalco Industries Limited, the flagship company of the Aditya Birla Group. The agreement will supply 100 MW of round-the-clock (RTC) renewable energy to Hindalco's smelters in Odisha. The Ayana renewable project is supported by the National Infrastructure and Investment Fund (NIIF), British International Investment (BII), and Green Growth Equity Fund. The captive power project is a crucial milestone for Ayana as they aim to become a demand-driven energy solution provider and achieve their vision of becoming India's lowest-cost power supplier. Ayana is leveraging a unique blend of solar, wind, and pumped hydro technologies to achieve this...
A cargo ship, a carbon-intensive vessel or typically a dirty oil guzzler, has onboarded a new green, clean technology to the open seas. Cargill and BAR Technologies have embarked on a pioneering venture as they launch the BAR Tech WindWings in collaboration with Yara Marine. This revolutionary innovation is now underway on the open seas, undergoing testing. This technology promises to introduce state-of-the-art wind propulsion to the world of commercial shipping, marking a historic first in the industry. The Pyxis Ocean, the pioneer vessel to undergo a retrofit with cutting-edge WindWings technology, has embarked on its voyage from China, aiming high in its mission to facilitate the maritime industry's journey towards decarbonization. Agribusiness giant Cargill charted the Mitsubishi...
Leading aluminium companies worldwide are looking for greener ways to run their patented production line. Recently, Norsk Hydro announced that it will switch from fossil fuel to biomethane for optimising its existing lines in Sunndal aluminium smelter. This big step will impel Hydro's journey toward sustainability and a renewable energy-based future. With great admiration, we acknowledge the joint efforts of Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI) members Ball Corporation and Cervejaria Masterpiece for introducing the pioneering ASI logo on their beverage can. The ASI logo is prominently displayed on their latest product, the Donatello Barley Wine, setting a new benchmark for eco-friendly packaging. Capral Aluminium, Australia's foremost manufacturer of extruded aluminium and distributor...
The aluminium industry is energy-intensive, which results in a considerable amount of carbon emissions along the production value chain. Sustainable practices can help reduce its carbon footprint and contribute to global efforts that address climate change. The fundamental programme in the aluminium industry is bauxite mining, as it is the raw ore required in the production of alumina from which aluminium is extracted. Bauxite mining can cause habitat destruction and biodiversity loss, but sustainable practices aim to mitigate these environmental impacts. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), global energy-related CO2 emissions reached a new high of over 36.8 billion tonnes in 2022, with a growth rate of 0.9 per cent or 321 million tonnes. This growth rate was significantly...
Aluminium has piqued the interest of industry professionals as a lightweight, recyclable metal with applications ranging from car and aircraft engineering to infrastructure and construction. Most aluminium goods may be recycled for decades, earning the title of 'green metal.' But despite all of its advantages, one of the major disadvantages of aluminium manufacturing is that it is energy-intensive and produces a large amount of carbon dioxide. It is imperative that the aluminium sector address emissions as the world moves toward sustainability. As a result, prominent aluminium manufacturers worldwide aim to reduce their carbon footprint by using diverse renewable energy sources. Below is a list of companies that are taking this shift towards renewable energy for a greener and carbon-free...
On Wednesday, August 30, Norsk Hydro announced that its aluminium smelter in Sunndal would start using local, sustainable bioenergy instead of fossil fuels to curb carbon emissions from the production process. It would be a momentous step towards achieving zero emissions after reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 55 per cent in Norway since 1990. Ola Sæter, Head of Hydro's primary aluminium smelters, commented, "Replacing fossil energy with bioresources opens up new opportunities for decarbonization at our aluminium plants." Hydro would be sourcing biomethane from local plants to be built in Møre og Romsdal and signed a letter of intent with Havila. Once biomethane plants are established in Norway, Hydro Sunndal will start securing the energy, estimated in 2024. Hydro Sunndal plans to...
Sparklo, a leading global cleantech company that uses AI to help reduce plastic and aluminium waste, has installed 100 of its innovative RVMs, known as Sparklomats, in public areas throughout the MENA region. This has resulted in the collection of 30,000 plastic bottles and aluminium cans daily in MENA alone, with a total of over 35 million collected recyclables worldwide. At the core of Sparklo's business model is the creation and operation of its reverse vending machines, Sparklomats. These machines have been installed in parts of Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar and allow people to easily recycle plastic bottles and aluminium cans. Users receive rewards in the mobile app by placing an empty bottle or can in the machine, which can then be exchanged for discount vouchers for...
