Aluminium and renewable energy play an important role in an ever more sustainable economy. The EU has deemed aluminium to be a strategic material supporting the green transition. However, it matters how and where aluminium is produced.
More than 70% of Hydro’s aluminium is produced with renewable energy. We have also for more than a decade been investing in new technology to ensure we can make use of more used aluminium to accelerate the transition to a more circular economy.
But we can do more.
At the heart of our sustainability strategy is our technology- and innovation strategy. The only way we can reach net-zero is through innovation and the use of new technology.
Aluminium’s properties of being lightweight, durable, recyclable, and made from renewable energy match the key pillars of the green transition:
Our technology roadmap to net-zero
Hydro has the knowledge and the capabilities to work towards producing metal with zero emissions.
The enabling pillars are:
Decarbonize our operations
Since 1990, we have reduced emissions from our primary aluminium plants in Norway by 70%
Developments
- We will now aim to further reduce the average casthouse product footprint and strengthening our technology drive towards zero emissions
- Footprint reduction will be achieved by exploring all possible paths including increased use of post-consumer scrap, Bauxite & Alumina decarbonization and sourcing of low carbon raw materials.
- Strengthen efforts to develop zero-emission electrolysis technology. Technology development will follow four paths including carbon capture and storage and new chloride process
Grow in post-consumer scrap
In order to ensure the transition to a circular economy, we need o increase the use of materials and products that can be recycled or reused. When you make aluminium from recycled metal, you only use 5% of the energy used when producing the raw aluminium in the first place. This is why we are further investing to see how we can dig deeper into the old scrap pile to ensure we can ensure that more aluminium can circulate in an infinite loop.
Technology developments
- Post-consumer scrap usage is a key lever in increasing circularity and profitability, utilizing Hydro’s competitive advantages in scrap recycling. Increased ambition will be delivered through a range of initiatives, including SFA entry, expanding our recycling activities into new products and new markets, new recycling-friendly Alloys, increased automotive exposure and use of post-consumer scrap in primary casthouses
- LIBS – Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy technology for sorting alloys for clear separation and clean recycling.
- SCREW extruder technology for recycling
Digitalization and transparency
Traceability and transparency are key enablers to build more responsible supply and value chains. We know customers and stakeholders expect this to make more informed decisions. We expect sustainability data to be basic product information by 2030. This requires digitalization of sustainability data. We've started with a pilot for Digital product passports.
Technology developments
Digital product passports: Digital product passports contain verified information about products.
Karmøy Technology Pilot lives up to ‘greener’ expectations: We knew it would be a pioneer in low carbon emissions. But it turned out to be much more.
Updated: June 28, 2022