Alumetal Completes Environmental Product Declaration for Recycled Aluminum

Poland-based Alumetal, a leading producer of aluminum foundry alloys, has completed an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD), providing full transparency about the environmental footprint of its recycled foundry alloy (RFA) aluminum products. This declaration, based on an independent third-party study, outlines the mix of scrap materials used at its plants, demonstrating the company’s commitment to sustainability and responsibility in the aluminum industry.

Key Step in Sustainability and Transparency
Alumetal’s newly verified EPD, which was issued following its acquisition by Norway’s Norsk Hydro ASA in 2023, offers detailed data on the carbon footprint of the company’s recycled products. According to Hanne Simensen, EVP at Hydro Aluminium Metal, the EPD “validates Hydro’s and Alumetal’s commitment to sustainability” and provides customers with critical knowledge of the environmental impact of their supply chains.

The EPD emphasizes the use of postconsumer scrap in their alloys, which Hydro and Alumetal argue is crucial for achieving significant emission reductions in aluminum production. Transparency around the origins of the materials used is becoming increasingly important due to rising consumer awareness and regulatory demands.

Postconsumer Scrap and Low Carbon Footprint
Alumetal distinguishes between preconsumer scrap (generated during aluminum production) and postconsumer scrap (PCS), which is noted for its extremely low carbon footprint. With postconsumer scrap already accounted for in prior production stages, the emissions associated with recycling this material are minimal. Agnieszka Drzyżdżyk, CEO of Alumetal, emphasizes that providing accurate data on their products’ environmental impact enables customers to make informed decisions and sustainability goals.

Alumetal’s four recycling plants, three in Poland and one in Hungary, have a combined capacity of 280,000 metric tons per year, predominantly serving the automotive sector. With a focus on postconsumer scrap, Alumetal incorporates up to 94% recycled materials in its foundry alloys, more than 50% of which is postconsumer scrap.

Carbon Footprint of Alumetal’s Recycled Products
The EPD reveals that Alumetal’s recycled foundry alloy products have an average carbon footprint of just 2.44 kg CO2-equivalent per kg of aluminum, significantly lower than the global average for primary aluminum production. Hydro highlights that Alumetal’s emissions are “less than one-sixth of the global average in primary aluminum production,” with most emissions coming from upstream material production.

The byproduct allocation method used by Alumetal to distinguish between pre- and postconsumer scrap is noted as a unique feature of its EPD. This method ensures the environmental benefits of using postconsumer scrap are accurately accounted for, setting Alumetal apart from other aluminum producers.

Advancing Recycling Technology and Sustainability
Alumetal’s efforts are also supported by its innovative approach to recycling challenging postconsumer aluminum scrap. The company’s initiatives prevent valuable resources from being sent to landfills, further supporting a circular economy. Simensen of Hydro remarks that Alumetal plays a crucial role in increasing the use of postconsumer scrap and advancing sorting technologies, which will allow more used aluminum to be given a second life.

With this EPD, Alumetal ensures that its customers can confidently know the exact environmental impact of the aluminum they purchase, avoiding the risk of greenwashing while contributing to their sustainability goals.