Hydro trials introduction of post-consumer scrap in the production process of its primary aluminium

Hydro’s plant in Høyanger will be the pilot in the project, aiming to recycle aluminium directly within the primary production. (Photo: Halvor Molland)

(PRESS RELEASE) OSLO, 17-Mar-2021 — /EuropaWire/ — Hydro announces that it is exploring ways to recycle aluminium directly within the primary aluminium production at its Norwegian smelters, with the aim to further reduce its industry-leading climate footprint from primary aluminium and increase production through the use of post-consumer scrap.

“We are currently piloting this innovative solution at our Høyanger plant. Following this verification, we aspire to apply this approach across our Norwegian smelters – with an initial ambition of adding 10 percent to our total primary production in Norway through post-consumer scrap,” says Head of Primary Production in Hydro Aluminium Ola Sæter.

“This would enable us to offer our most climate-conscious customers a new and improved alternative in their sustainability efforts,” Sæter says.

Low-carbon, circular aluminium

Since Hydro’s aluminium production in Norway is entirely based on renewable power, its average CO2 emissions are already only 25 percent of the global average and available to customers as Hydro REDUXA certified low-carbon primary aluminium. The introduction of post-consumer scrap in the production process of primary aluminium would improve its climate performance even further.

“In Norway we do have the competence, skills and deep technological understanding necessary to be a leader within our global industry, driving the development of circular solutions for the circular economy and combining profitability and sustainability,” says Sæter.

Hydro produces primary aluminium based on renewable power at five plants in Norway, representing an annual capacity of around 1.2 million tonnes of value-added products of Hydro’s total primary production globally of just above 2 million tonnes per year. From Hydro’s network of recyclers, Hydro already produces Hydro CIRCAL with a guaranteed content of at least 75 percent recycled, post-consumer aluminium scrap.

Facts

About Hydro CIRCAL: Hydro CIRCAL is a range of products made with recycled post-consumer scrap. Through using recycled content, we reduce energy use drastically while still being able to offer high quality products. The percentage of scrap will change depending on specifications from the client, but we can always guarantee a CO2 footprint below 2.3 kg CO2 per 1 kg aluminium produced.

About Hydro REDUXA: Hydro REDUXA is our series of certified, low carbon aluminium. It’s made with renewable energy, which results in a maximum carbon footprint of 4.0 kg CO2 per kg aluminium – one-fourth of the global average. The result is among the world’s lowest carbon aluminium to date.

Media conatct:

Erik Brynhildsbakken
Head of Communication and Public Affairs, Hydro Aluminium Metal

+47 41751271
erik.brynhildsbakken@hydro.com

SOURCE: Norsk Hydro ASA

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