Alcoa Corporation has reportedly bagged the ASI Performance Standard Certification under Provisional Status for its smelting and casting operation at Massena, New York, USA. Known as the longest interrupted operating aluminium facility in the world, Alcoa Massena plant dates back to 1902, benefiting from the region’s abundant hydro power. The plant produces 360,000 tonnes of primary aluminium in a year. 

The Aluminium Stewardship Initiative has granted the provisional certification under an interim policy in regards to Audits, Audit-Related Travel and Coronavirus, which clarifies reasonable accommodations that can be made to audit plans considering the current COVID-19 situation. 

The Performance Standard certification represents environmental, social and governance principles and criteria, aiming at addressing sustainability issues in the aluminium value chain. It sets out 59 criteria under the three sustainability pillars. 

On receiving the certification, John Slaven, Alcoa’s Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer, said: “Earning certifications from ASI aligns with our vision to reinvent the aluminum industry for a sustainable future. This recognition for Massena is welcome news for the facility’s 120 years of continual production and the important work that our employees do there every day to consistently improve for the benefit of our customers, communities and the environment.”

Fiona Solomon, Chief Executive Officer at ASI, said: “ASI congratulates Alcoa on achieving Performance Standard Certification with Provisional status at the Massena, New York plant – one that is steeped in history, both for the aluminium sector and industrial development of the region. The plant’s hydro-based renewable energy has supported its operation for 120 years. Over that time, the facility has continued innovating to meet the challenges of a constantly changing sustainability landscape. The achievement of ASI Certification is a demonstration of this commitment.”

The independent, third-party audits of the Alcoa facilities were carried out by DNV Business Assurance Services UK Ltd.