Hydro Expands Recycling Capacity to Accelerate Decarbonization Efforts

Hydro Expands Recycling Capacity to Accelerate Decarbonization Efforts

(IN BRIEF) Hydro has inaugurated the Høyanger Recycling facility, a significant step in its commitment to decarbonize the aluminium value chain and foster a circular economy. With an investment of NOK 240 million, the purpose-built facility, located near its primary aluminium plant in Høyanger, Norway, has an annual capacity of 36,000 tonnes of post-consumer aluminium scrap processing. The recycled aluminium will contribute to lowering Hydro’s carbon footprint, aligning with its strategy to reduce emissions by 30 percent by 2030 and achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. By combining renewable hydropower with recycling and innovative technologies like carbon capture and storage, Hydro aims to revolutionize aluminium production, delivering low-carbon products for a sustainable future.

(PRESS RELEASE) OSLO, 20-Apr-2024 — /EuropaWire/ — With the opening of Høyanger Recycling, aluminium and renewable energy company Hydro is further increasing its recycling capacity as part of the drive to decarbonize the aluminium value chain and contribute to a circular economy.

Hydro has invested NOK 240 million in the purpose built recycling facility, located near the primary aluminium plant in Høyanger. The recycled aluminium will be used to lower the carbon footprint of Hydro’s casting products even further. The facility is the first if its kind in Norway with an annual capacity to process 36,000 tonnes of post-consumer aluminium scrap.

“Recycling is the fastest way to zero. With this new facility, we deliver on our strategy to increase recycling capacity in our efforts to decarbonize our own production processes and make products that the world needs for the green transition,” says Eivind Kallevik, Executive Vice President of Hydro Aluminium Metal.

At the new facility, aluminium scrap, originating from vehicles, building facades, furniture, packaging, and other kinds of consumer goods, is de-coated before being melted into ingots. The recycled aluminium is then mixed with primary metal, made with renewable hydropower, to make low-carbon casting products that enable customers to cut the embedded emissions in their value chain.

“The outlook for the aluminium market in Europe is promising as we move towards the green transition, but in times of turmoil, customers need stable and predictable partners in their decarbonization efforts. With this and other long-term investments at our aluminium plants, we are gearing up to change the game for aluminium production and stand ready to deliver low-carbon aluminium in the decades to come,” says Kallevik.

Hydro aims to become a net-zero producer of aluminium by 2050, and is on track to achieve a 30 percent reduction in emissions by 2030 compared to 2018 levels. Aluminium recycling is one of the main pathways of Hydro’s decarbonization strategy.

In addition to recycling of post-consumer aluminium scrap, Hydro is working towards full decarbonization by introducing new technologies such as carbon capture and storage, as well as developing emission-free primary aluminium production.

Hydro’s roadmap to zero

• By 2050, Hydro aims to become a climate-neutral company that produces climate-neutral products for a climate-neutral society. By investing in new technology and increasing recycling, the company will achieve its goal of reducing its own greenhouse gas emissions by 10 percent by 2025 and 30 percent by 2030, compared to 2018 levels.
• Full decarbonization will be achieved by recycling more used aluminium in combination with the adoption of new technologies. This includes carbon capture and storage, the use of hydrogen and biogas as energy sources, and in addition, new, proprietary technology that has the potential to eliminate greenhouse gas emissions from primary aluminium production.
• By combining hydropower as an energy source, modern production technology and recycling of scrap, Hydro Årdal can deliver Hydro REDUXA 3.0 with a carbon footprint of less than 3 kg CO2 per kg aluminum. This is around 80 percent lower than the global average.

Learn more about Hydro’s roadmap to zero emission aluminium production.

Media Contact:

Jens Christian Boysen
Communication Manager, Hydro Aluminium Metal
jens.christian.boysen@hydro.com
+47 94982099

SOURCE: Norsk Hydro ASA