Image courtesy of the International Aluminum Institute
The International Aluminum Institute (IAI), London, has launched Aluminum Forward 2030, a coalition of its 25 production members and 20 downstream and customer companies that have committed themselves to transforming the aluminum sector.
The organization says the aim of the coalition is to accelerate progress toward net-zero emissions while working together on a road map that is inclusive of all the other UN Sustainable Development Goals. The IAI adds that the initiative flows from discussions with various players in the beverage and can, automotive, electrical, transport and construction markets and demonstrates collaborative efforts to tackle a complex global challenge. The coalition intends to build on existing collaborations, such as in the beverage can sector, to enhance circularity and reduce emissions.
The IAI says reducing greenhouse gas emissions and combatting climate change have become priorities for the aluminum industry, but the sector needs to move comprehensively toward net-zero carbon in a way that addresses all other aspects of sustainability.
Aluminum sector members of the Aluminum Forward 2030 initiative will include U.K.-based Jaguar Land Rover; beverage and can producers in Broomfield, Colorado-based Ball Corp., Philadelphia-based Crown Holdings and Luxembourg-based Ardagh Metal Packaging; Paris-based cable producers Nexans and; Sweden-based aluminum technology company Granges, among others. The IAI says the coalition aims to protect and enhance the societal value of aluminum in all its applications and will give members the opportunity to be part of a learning community that will transform the future of supply chains.
“In the fight against climate change, it is essential that our industries come together to share insights and best practices—the tools, technologies and approaches that are going to make a real difference,” says Nexans Chief Operating Officer and Senior Executive Vice President Vincent Dessale. “This is why we have decided to join Aluminum Forward 2030. At Nexans, we take steps to use as much low-carbon aluminum as possible in our product manufacturing. In addition, through our recycling solutions, the group recovers all types of end-of-life aluminum and copper cables, thus making a positive contribution to the environment. Our customers and partners can also benefit from this cable waste recovery service. Through this coalition, we are keen to participate and collaborate with others to find out how we can continue to make progress.”
Ramon Arratia, global vice president and chief sustainability officer at Ball Corp., adds, “Aluminum has great short- and medium-term decarbonization potential with circularity and other levers. We look forward to working with the IAI and the Aluminum Forward 2030 coalition to accelerate the decarbonization of our sector by collaborating with the full value chain.”
The IAI says each coalition member’s insights and experiences will be used to help aluminum producers adjust their transformation strategies to meet their sustainability needs and those of their customers.
Crown Holdings Vice President of Sustainability and Regulatory Affairs John Rost says the future of the planet requires companies to be active participants in making changes, rather than be bystanders.
“Sustainability is a focus of everything we do,” Rost adds. “In our own organization, we are advancing our Twentyby30 sustainability program by utilizing more renewable electricity solutions and reducing our energy consumption, as well as driving toward ambitious recycling rate targets to reduce material and resource waste. It is only through the sharing of strategies that we can do our best to minimize our carbon footprint and fight against climate change.”
Sofia Hedevag, senior vice president of sustainability at Granges, says her company is committed to creating circular and sustainable aluminum solutions and decarbonizing the industry. She adds that strong partnerships and collaboration will be essential for reaching net-zero emissions.
“It’s essential that our industry comes together to share insights, best practices and help solve real challenges that are going to make a real difference,” Hedevag says.
In addition, the IAI has partnered with Fast Forward Zero to provide strategic guidance and ensure a wide representation of the aluminum-consuming segments.
“The world is confronting a climate crisis and reducing greenhouse gas emissions has become a priority for nations and businesses,” IAI Secretary General Miles Prosser says. “But the race to net-zero carbon is multifaceted and needs to equally embrace other global sustainability challenges, including social inequalities, biodiversity loss, circularity and access to fresh water. The IAI recognizes that net-zero carbon must also deliver on other sustainability issues.”