#London #United Kingdom #Emissions Reduction #Aluminium Industry #International Aluminium Institute

The Aluminium Industry Hits New Milestones in Emission Reductions

Recent statistics from the International Aluminium Institute (IAI) reveal notable advancements in the global aluminium sector, achieving production increases alongside a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. The latest figures indicate that while aluminium production rose by 2.75% in 2023, greenhouse gas emissions saw only a slight increase of 0.36%. This is the third consecutive year wherein production growth has occurred without proportional emission growth, marking a significant milestone for the industry.

Production and Emissions Overview

According to the IAI, aluminium production escalated from 108.2 million tonnes in 2022 to 111.2 million tonnes in 2023. Meanwhile, the total greenhouse gas emissions remained relatively stable, recorded at 1,116 million tonnes CO2 equivalent (CO2e) in 2023, compared to 1,112 million tonnes in the previous year. Moreover, the emissions intensity per tonne of aluminium produced has declined by 2.33%, reaching 10.04 tonnes CO2e—this is a significant reduction of 11.5% since 2020.

IAI General Secretary Miles Prosser expressed optimism regarding these findings. He stated, "Recent data assures us that the industry has reached a pivotal point where production growth of the metal has successfully uncoupled from emission increases. It's encouraging to observe that initiatives undertaken by our member companies have enabled production boosts without a significant rise in greenhouse gas emissions."

Challenges Ahead

Despite these positive strides, the data also highlights the ongoing hurdles involved in emission reductions. While stabilised emissions signify progress, a substantial challenge remains in achieving faster and broader reductions across the industry. The aluminium sector continues to play a crucial role in enabling other industries—such as clean energy generation, electric vehicle manufacturing, and sustainable packaging solutions—to minimize their carbon footprints.

In anticipation of rising demand for aluminium, the industry is implementing significant investments aimed at further lowering greenhouse gas emissions throughout the production chain. The emissions intensity for aluminium production, which includes primary metal and recycling processes, has decreased from 10.28 tonnes CO2e per tonne in 2022 to 10.04 tonnes CO2e in 2023. Furthermore, in primary aluminium production, emissions intensity fell from 15.1 tonnes CO2e per tonne in 2022 to 14.8 tonnes CO2e in 2023.

Commitment to Environmental Responsibility

The IAI provides comprehensive data outlining greenhouse gas emissions throughout the aluminium sector, encompassing activities such as:

• - Bauxite Mining
• - Alumina Refining
• - Primary Aluminium Production
• - Anode Production
• - Casting
• - Aluminium Recycling
• - Production of Semi-Finished Products
• - Internal Scrap Melting

These insights include both direct emissions from industrial processes and indirect emissions arising from energy consumption, purchased materials, and the transportation of essential components. This expansive overview sheds light on the sector's environmental impact and its ongoing efforts to achieve emission reductions.

In summary, while the global aluminium industry has made considerable headway in decreasing its emissions intensity and growing production levels, significant work lies ahead. The industry's commitment to enhanced sustainability practices is essential in overcoming the existing challenges and ensuring a greener future for the sector and the planet.