Aluminium is often called the 'green metal' due to its sustainability, owing to its long lifespan, high strength-to-weight ratio and recycling ability. However, the environmental credentials of aluminium are severely reduced by its carbon footprint. The aluminium industry has a pivotal role to play in the total carbon emissions in the world. Accounting for 1.1 billion tonnes of carbon emissions each year, the aluminium sector generates approximately 2% of the human-caused emissions globally. Aluminium is an essential component for several key industries including power transmission, construction, and transportation, and its demand is expected to grow by over 50% by 2050.
The road to zero-carbon emissions in the aluminium industry is a long one, but the major aluminium players are making great changes in their production processes. With new technological advancements and more recycling, the aluminium industry is trying to cut down carbon emissions by up to 70% within 2022.
Smart Technology, Renewable Power
Aluminium producers have largely switched to renewable energy such as hydro, solar, and wind, thereby reducing carbon emissions and helping mitigate climate change. Moreover, these companies are also upgrading their production technology, making operational improvements, reducing anode effects, and any other disruptions that release carbon emissions and other climate gases.
Aluminium producers are now focusing more on research and development to cut down the electricity requirement per tonne of aluminium produced.
Geothermal energy and renewable hydropower can not only provide 24/7 power but also reduce carbon emissions greatly. The largest aluminium producer in the world, China Hongqiao Group started aluminium production at a new hydro-powered aluminium smelter. Moreover, CCUS is often called a 'magic bullet' solution that can eliminate harmful gases while enabling aluminium plants to stay dependent on fossil fuels. However, the main disadvantage here is that most CCUS technologies are available at a pre-commercial scale and they need years of improvements for mass adoption.
The main pathways to achieving zero-carbon emissions are technological developments in primary aluminium production and additional recycling of post-consumer scrap aluminium. The Hydro technology team has worked for six years to develop breakthrough technology for primary aluminium production. HalZero technology involves converting alumina to aluminium chloride prior to electrolysis, with chlorine and carbon being kept in a closed loop with oxygen as the only emitted gas. As a result of Hydro HalZero, aluminium smelting will be fully decarbonized, resulting in emissions-free aluminium from both electrolysis and anode baking.
Aluminium Industry's Roadmap towards 2050
- Technology advancements to decarbonize the aluminium's upstream primary value chain including alumina and bauxite production, renewable energy sourcing, and primary aluminium production
- Growing aluminium recycling capacity and capability to enhance the use of post-consumer scrap
- Near-zero carbon emissions by 2040
- 30% reduction in carbon emissions by 2030
- Net-zero carbon emissions by 2050
In today's world, aluminium is one of the most recycled and recyclable materials. It is common for aluminium beverage cans, car doors, and window frames to be recycled back into it and this can exist virtually endlessly. Aluminium recycling is a crucial part of modern aluminium production. The process of recycling aluminium only requires around 5% of the energy necessary to create new aluminium, resulting in reductions in carbon emissions and savings for businesses and consumers. Recycling rates for aluminium exceed 90% in most industrial markets, including automotive and construction.
January 21, 2022