Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI) announced on 21st March the grant of certification to UACJ in the aspect concerning Performance Standard (provisional) and Chain of Custody (full) to acknowledge the company’s efforts to responsible production, sourcing and stewardship of aluminium.
The certificates received by UACJ Corporation are for the manufacture of aluminium sheet products at Fukui Works, Japan and UACJ (Thailand) Co., Ltd., Thailand. Japan’s Fukui Works is the first in the territory to gain ASI certification to continue with the manufacture of its rolling-ingots, hot-rolled, cold-rolled, and finished sheets which are mandatory in the making of packaging items and automotive. The facility also produces thick aluminium plates which are used to build LNG tankers and in aerospace applications.
Rayong Works in Thailand also produces thin sheets of aluminium that are processed and shaped to prepare a range of products, including can sheet, automotive heat exchanger materials and fin stock for air-conditioners.
In consideration of the current COVID-19 situation, the plants have received Performance Standard Provisional Certification under the ASI Interim Policy regarding Audits, Audit-Related Travel and Coronavirus, which clarifies the reasonable accommodations that can be made to audit plans.
This ASI certification programme was designed along the consultation of multiple stake holders and their collective yet comprehensive approach towards the entire aluminium value chain. This enables companies to voluntarily participate in the big circle of the aluminium industry from mining to manufacture. Moreover they are being assured about the quality of products acquired or sold by the certification board. The ASI Performance Standard defines environmental, social and governance principles and criteria, with the aim to address sustainability issues in the aluminium value chain. The ASI CoC Standard sets out requirements for the creation of a Chain of Custody for material that is produced and processed through the value chain into diverse downstream sectors. The implementation of ASI’s CoC Standard means a company can carry out verified circulation of products at successive steps of the supply chain once certified under the ASI Performance Standard. Mainly rotating alongside the ASI Certified Entities, these companies have a better chance of guaranteed import or export.
The third party audit of the UACJ Corporation was carried out by Environmental Resources Management (ERM) which is an independent body primarily offering services related to company audit and management. This work was mainly performed offline with provisions for site visit later in the process.
Fiona Solomon, Chief Executive Officer at ASI, said: “We congratulate UACJ Corporation for achieving provisional Performance Standard Certification as well as Chain of Custody Standard Certification at these two rolling facilities. They should be proud to achieve the first ASI Certification in Japan. These rolling operations are an important link between the upstream aluminium producers and a very wide range of downstream companies using aluminium in their finished products. The dual ASI Certification demonstrates UACJ’s commitment to responsible production practices and sourcing to its customers. UACJ has a broad portfolio of aluminium product manufacturing sites internationally, and we look forward to the company’s future achievement of further ASI Certifications.”
Miyuki Ishihara, president of UACJ Corporation, explained: “UACJ is based in Japan and has manufacturing facilities in Japan, other parts of Asia, and North America. We produce a wide range of semi-finished aluminum products, including sheet and plate, foil, extrusions, and cast and forged products. We are proud to report we are the first Japanese aluminum company to receive ASI certification, at our two key rolling operations, in Fukui and Rayong. This certification will help UACJ realize its group purpose, to ‘contribute to society by using raw materials to manufacture products that enhance prosperity and sustainability.’”
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