The global aluminium industry is going through an exciting transformation as companies focus on sustainability, innovation and circular practices. With a shift towards low-carbon production, the use of renewable energy, cutting-edge recycling technologies and impressive safety achievements, industry leaders are rethinking their operations to keep up with changing environmental standards, regulations and market needs.
Weekly Recap: Sustainability & Recycled AL by AL Circle Pvt Ltd
{alcircleadd}Regional sustainability update
Taural India is making strides in its sustainability efforts by incorporating Vedanta Aluminium's low-carbon Restora and green sand-casting techniques at its Supa facility. These initiatives, like using natural-gas furnaces, battery-operated handling and implementing closed-loop water and waste management, have the potential to reduce casting emissions by as much as 80 per cent. This supports the eco-friendly production of high-performance aluminium components for various sectors, including aerospace, defence, healthcare, energy, marine and transport. To know more, read here.
Egypt's "Dandara" Solar Energy project marks a significant step in its green industrial strategy. This aims to provide renewable energy to the Egypt Aluminium (Egyptalum) complex in Nagaa Hammadi, to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 30 per cent. The project is set to boost Egyptalum's competitiveness in European markets by aligning with the EU's CBAM Mechanism. Scatec ASA, a subsidiary of Norway's Scatec ASA, will be in charge of developing and operating the facility for the next 25 years, with backing from international finance partners like the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the European Investment Bank (EIB). Get deeper into the story here.
Aluminium Bahrain (Alba) has hit a remarkable safety milestone, clocking in 40 million safe working hours without a Lost Time Injury (LTI) as of October 6, 2025. This achievement showcases Alba's robust safety culture and the unwavering commitment of its team. Recently, the company received its third consecutive RoSPA President's Award, underscoring its dedication to excellence in occupational safety and health. Know more about this achievement here.
RUSAL has introduced an innovative electrochemical technology that turns off-grade aluminium scrap into high-purity P1020 metal, boasting over 99.7 per cent purity. This process tackles the issue of recycling contaminated scrap that often contains impurities like iron and copper, which typically results in downcycling into lower-quality alloys. By utilising a distinctive pot design, the firm's approach achieves impressive energy efficiency, using around 9 MWh for every tonne of aluminium produced, which is much less than the 12–14 MWh required by traditional methods. Uncover more about the innovation here.
ASI certifications in focus
Cromodora Wheels has proudly achieved the ASI Performance Standard V3.1 certification for its facility in Brescia, Italy. This certification encompasses the entire range of operations, from melting and casting to machining and distribution. TÜV Rheinland conducted the audit and found no non-conformances, which underscores Cromodora’s strong commitment to ASI’s 11 principles across various ESG domains. Get the details here.
Dadco Alumina & Chemicals has proudly achieved the ASI Chain of Custody (CoC) Standard V2 certification for its alumina refining operations based in Stade, Germany. This certification ensures that Dadco’s material sourcing and processing practices are solid and trustworthy throughout their supply chain. A few minor non-conformances were noted, but they will be tackled with a corrective action plan in place for future audits. Know more.
From AL waste to innovation
Hangarbrua, a stunning 55 m × 9 m bridge weighing 60 tonnes in Trondheim, has been crafted entirely from recycled aluminium taken from the decommissioned Gyda oil platform. This innovative approach replaces traditional materials in structural design. The bridge was assembled off-site, ensuring minimal disruption during its installation over railway tracks. A life-cycle assessment conducted by COWI reveals that using recycled aluminium results in about a 70 per cent reduction in CO₂e emissions compared to stainless steel options. Dig more into this innovation here.
Nupur Recycling has acquired Tycod Autotech in an all-cash deal worth around INR 240 million. This acquisition represents a strategic shift from just processing scrap to manufacturing high-value, precision aluminium alloy components specifically for the automotive industry. As part of this transition, there are plans to upgrade Tycod’s facility in Haryana with advanced technologies like high-pressure die casting, vertical machining and CNC, which will enhance production capacity and open doors for partnerships with OEMs. Learn more about this acquisition here.
Hydro announced the return of its R100 exhibition for Dutch Design Week, happening from October 18 to 26. This event will highlight the incredible potential of 100 per cent recycled aluminium in driving design innovation. The project has successfully recycled around 52 tonnes of local scrap materials and crafted five stunning designer pieces all within a 100 km radius, which helps cut down on transport emissions. Designers like Sabine Marcelis and Stefan Diez will also be there to engage with the audience on topics like circularity and the importance of reusing materials. Unfold more about the product here.
DESPRAY Environmental, a Dutch company specialising in aerosol recycling, has teamed up with FREEE Recycle Limited in Nigeria to start an initiative called Food Fuel. This project aims to turn discarded aerosol gases into clean cooking fuel. The first facility is set to open in Ibadan by 2027, with plans to process up to 10 million aerosol cans each year, generating around 200,000 litres of purified gas to benefit thousands of households. The goal is to lessen the dependence on harmful fuels like firewood and kerosene, tackle household air pollution, which contributes to about 700,000 deaths each year in Africa and create job opportunities in recycling and fuel distribution. Get further details here.
Companies making strides with recycled AL
Hydro is gearing up to wrap up the integration of Alumetal S.A., the Polish aluminium recycler, by 2023. By early 2026, the firm will start rebranding its four facilities in Poland and Hungary to carry the Hydro name. This strategic shift is all about bolstering Hydro’s presence in the European foundry alloy market, creating a cohesive identity and boosting its offerings of recycled and low-carbon aluminium. The newly branded facilities, Hydro Kęty, Hydro Gorzyce, Hydro Nowa Sól and Hydro Komárom will keep serving the automotive industry, with a total annual capacity of 280,000 tonnes. For the further scoop, read here.
Alupro unveils its latest consumer awareness campaigns at the 2025 LARAC Conference, taking place on October 8 to 9 at the Hilton Metropole in Birmingham. This year’s event is particularly special as it celebrates LARAC’s 40th anniversary, bringing together over 500 delegates from more than 170 local authorities to tackle important topics in waste and recycling. Alupro will showcase its initiatives aimed at boosting public understanding and engagement in aluminium packaging recycling. These include programs like MetalMatters, Every Can Counts, Foil in Love with Recycling, Bin-fluencers and Masters of Infinity. Each of these initiatives is crafted to inspire positive behavioural changes and assist local authorities in ramping up their recycling efforts. For further into the story, read here.
Bridgnorth Aluminium has made a remarkable comeback in 2024, with its turnover soaring to nearly USD 287.5 million, reflecting a solid 9 per cent growth even in tough market conditions. The company credits this achievement to innovative operational enhancements, like boosting productivity, cutting costs and building stronger relationships with customers. Other drivers like significant investments, including a USD 2.5 million upgrade to their filtration technology at the Shropshire facility, which has allowed them to produce cleaner, higher-quality aluminium that meets the rising demand in the electric vehicle and packaging sectors. Read more into the story here.
Lindner's latest Urraco Evo series is built for top-notch shredding of tough materials like aluminium, mixed scrap and other heavy-duty waste. This mobile twin-shaft shredder features a powerful hydrostatic drive system and adaptable shaft configurations, making it versatile enough to handle a variety of input materials, from wood and plastics to municipal solid waste. With a focus on modularity, the Urraco Evo allows for quick shaft changes, which helps reduce downtime and maintenance costs. To know more about the series, tap here.
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