Smaller carbon footprint with aluminium

Lighter = Cleaner mobility: At Hydro, we help to save the amount of CO2 emitted by 1.1 million motor vehicles annually – solely with the tonnage of strip we supply to the transport segment. The basis for this: the replacement of traditional materials in private and commercial vehicles with aluminium so that vehicles become lighter, use less fuel and, as a result, reduce exhaust emissions. Every kilo of aluminium used saves around 20 kg of CO2.

Fresh without a refrigerator: We buy many foodstuffs to stock up and often keep them fresh in the refrigerator so that they do not spoil. Aluminium helps to make storage more efficient, for example, in laminated drinks cartons where thin-gauge foil provides optimum protection against external influences – without any cooling energy. The volume of foil Hydro supplies to the market annually eases the burden on the environment by more than 1 million metric tons of CO2.

Windows weather-tight all round: When it starts to get colder outside the house, aluminium roller shutters help to reduce heat loss through the windows. As a result, we require less heating. This energy saving, in relation to the volume of aluminium Hydro supplies for this particular application, offsets the environmental impact equivalent to the CO2 footprint of 41,000 inhabitants per year At the same time, aluminium in buildings require practically no maintenance and last a long time.

Energy transition? Only with us: As yet, we do not have reliable data for all our products’ contribution to CO2 reduction. This needs more time. However, we are developing new applications with implications for climate change: through the production of energy from renewable energy sources, such as the sun and wind, with HyBridAl, our solar mirror made from rolled strip. Furthermore, the switchover to exhaust-free electric transport will only work with high-performance batteries; we can assist in this with a new, special aluminium foil for current collectors.

Efficiency in the plant: Achieve more with less; make the optimum use of resources – these are basic rules in Hydro. We are increasing the efficiency of our processes and the functionality of our products along the entire value chain. In production plants, it is often small things which produce the greatest effects. The Grevenbroich, Germany rolled products plant has improved its specific energy use by a good 20 per cent. In 2002, more than 1.5 megawatt hours of electricity were required to produce 1 metric ton of rolled products; in 2008, the energy requirement was down to 1.2 megawatt hours. In the same time period, the annual requirement for rolling oil was reduced by more than 10 percent, fresh oil by some 75 percent.

More efficient with each new life: Imagine if we had to make primary aluminium every time, only to throw it away afterwards? Fortunately not! Once we have produced our metal, it can be used again after each recycling loop. Recycling aluminium can use as little as 5 per cent of the energy used in its initial production – and our aluminium is ready for its next service life. This also applies to products which are consumed relatively quickly, such as printing plates and beverage cans. The recycling of used cans in Europe already saves 3 million metric tons of CO2 per year.