Clean sourcing: how Euramax helps you gain access to clean materials

Not all aluminium is created equal

While aluminium is a highly circular and sustainable material (see insert for more detail), not all aluminium is created equal. To measure and compare different sources of aluminium, we look at the emissions intensity of the product (measured as tonnes of Co2 equivalent emitted in the supply chain to produce a ton of aluminium). There are two major determinants of this emissions intensity. The first is the recycled content, as recycled aluminium requires much less energy to produce. Euramax already offers a wide range of alloys with different levels of recycled content. Recently we introduced our proprietary alloy StrongLite available with 80% recycled content! Read our full article on StrongLite here.

Another major determinant is the energy used in the production process. Besides bauxite, the most important ingredient of aluminium is, in fact, electricity. Being dependent on electricity is a major environmental benefit compared to other materials because it can be produced from renewable sources. This contrasts sharply with steel and plastics, which require coal and crude oil as crucial feedstock for their production. It should be no surprise then, that the source of electricity is very important. This is where major differences between producers arise: the European and North American aluminium industry already use over 80% clean energy for their electricity needs (mainly hydro power), whereas the industry in Asia more often relies on coal power. The graph below clearly shows these huge differences in emissions intensity.

Supporting decarbonisation together with Euramax

Euramax works with a large number of aluminium suppliers, several of which have certified low-carbon aluminium in their product portfolio. This is aluminium that has a footprint of less than 4T Co2 emissions per ton of aluminium (see figure 1 above), and also has an externally validated certification to prove it. The rolling mills that supply us with these products have access to low-carbon smelting facilities. An example is the case study of Hydro Reduxa (see insert), this is aluminium that is sourced from the Norwegian smelting facilities operated by Hydro. These facilities are run using clean power, leveraging the abundant hydro and wind power resources of Norway. A truly green and local supply chain!

Euramax offers these products to customers that are looking for low carbon solutions, helping our customers reduce the footprint of their own products. This is much more than just ‘greenwashing’ a product: by creating demand for low carbon aluminium, we drive the industry to change towards more sustainable production methods. In other words: low carbon aluminium is a way to reward companies that produce in a clean manner.

On your Side: find out how we can help you make greener products

Interested in learning more about low carbon aluminium and how it can be applied to your business? Reach out to us - we are happy to discuss!