The calculations indicate an annual net avoidance of 8.9 million tonnes emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) and respective other gases with relevance for the climate.
The figure is based on Hydro´s total shipments of rolled aluminium products in 2011 and includes the emissions caused for this total tonnage, in the process steps along the supply chain from bauxite mining, refining and primary production onto the final rolled product.
On the positive side is the avoidance of climate gas emissions through beneficial functionality of certain products. These benefits in the use phase are deducted from acknowledged studies on the respective functional climate effects.
"Our study doesn't yet cover all benefits from all our product deliveries. But the figures provide a strong indication at this point, that in spite of the high energy input initially required to extract the metal, our work actually helps to ease the burden on the world climate," says Executive Vice President Oliver Bell, who is head of Hydro's Rolled Products business.
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| CLIMATE SAVER: Aluminium foil helps to reduce the carbon footprint by keeping foodstuff fresh without cooling energy or, another example, by insulating tubes in buildings and house roofs to reduce losses of heating energy. (Photo: Thomas Ernsting) |
Some product segments were accounted without climate benefits in the use phase, when these benefits lack clear proof from reliable studies or aluminium is used for merely technical reasons, e.g. in a wide range of general engineering applications, also for offset printing plates (where aluminium is the sole, unmatched material) or for aluminium beverage cans, where different types of use give a mixed picture.
Recycling adds to the effect
Another important positive aspect is coming from recycling. The new study accounts the recycling of Hydro´s rolled products after their use phase, since this recycling avoids the respective production of primary metal in the future. Consequently, also the emissions caused by recycling have been added to the negative side of the calculation.
For methodological reasons and for the sake of transparency, the mix of energy and emissions for the power used in the supply chain processes has been aggregated from industry-wide figures provided by the European Aluminium Association.
Independently verified
The Denkstatt Institute in Vienna, a renowned assessor of sustainability reports, critically examined Hydro´s complex set of figures. The principles set out in the ISO Standards 14040 and 14044 were applied.
Denkstatt resumes: „Regarding its objective, this Carbon Footprint study fulfills all necessary criteria according to the ISO norm series ISO 14040, 2006 and ISO 14044, 2006 for eco-balances, in an adequate and reasonable way. All methodological steps, as outlined in the report, are in line with state-of-the-art eco-balance technique. The study has been created in a logical, transparent and per se coherent manner and provides a comprehensive picture of the climate effects of the studied aluminium products in all important phases of the life cycle, along the way from the cradle to the grave."
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| (Photo: Helge Hansen) |
Ultimately, the study allows for the assumption that, on average, every metric ton of rolled products from Hydro eases the carbon burden by 9.6 tons of CO2. Climate benefits from the use phase alone more than compensate all production emissions.
Says Bell: "Anyhow we keep on working with our customers, with collection systems and the scrap industry to raise the rates of collection and recycling even further and make the recycling of aluminium itself an even more efficient process." Hydro aims to lift its own recycling capacity to 1 million tonnes by 2020. Last year, the company recycled 280,000 tonnes of used scrap.
Bell further emphasizes: "For long-term resource efficiency, one-sided emphasis on 'recycled content' does not help much. It depends on the entire life cycle of the product ensuring that aluminium is produced at low effort, has many benefits in its application, is easy to recycle at the end of the use phase and is recycled ever-more efficiently, to always secure its next life. This is what we strive for."
Sustainability Council for Rolled Products
Therefore, the Rolled Products business area also set up its own Sustainability Council. This forum will steer the organization towards the widespread use of long-term sustainable operating procedures. Its main task will be to review the business area's sustainability goals and strategy. The Sustainability Council will also work out individual targets and indicators, define responsibilities and monitor the progress of these activities.
Hydro´s Rolled Products business area aims to:
- Improve the eco-efficiency of operations
- Increase recycling, internally and externally
- Determine, quantify and improve the environmental benefits of its products
