Dive Brief:
- Atlanta-based aluminum rolling and recycling company Novelis reported that by the end of its fiscal year 2015, it has achieved an average of 49% recycled aluminum inputs—a 19% increase from baseline figures for 2007-2009. Going back five years, the company has doubled its overall recycling capacity, reducing greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) by 13%, based on a company sustainability report.
- Other achievements highlighted in Novelis’ fiscal 2015 report are:
- The launch of the world’s largest aluminum recycling center in Nachterstedt, Germany, which can process up to 400,000 metric tons of aluminum scrap annually.
- Producing lightweight automotive aluminum for the Ford F-150, mounting to a 700-pound reduction in the vehicle and improving fuel efficiency.
- Introduction of more certified high-recycled aluminum products, including a beverage can sheet and evercycle for food containers, composed of 100% recycled aluminum.
- Overall, Novelis has invested about $2 billion to expand its recycling and production operations since 2011.
Dive Insight:
Recycling aluminum is a clean process, cutting GHG emissions by 95% and requiring 95% less energy than the alternative of working with primary aluminum — so Novelis is reducing its carbon footprint while amping up global production.
The new recycling center in Germany exemplifies this accomplishment: it processes up to 400,000 metric tons of aluminum annually, while saving 3.7 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions a year. Novelis’ evergreen cans contain more recyclables than any can on the market and can be endlessly upcycled, says the company.
"Novelis’ commitment to sustainability is fundamental to our success as the global leader in aluminum rolling and recycling," said Steve Fisher, president and chief executive officer, Novelis. "Our continued focus on sustainability enables us to provide the lower carbon, high-recycled content products our customers demand and provides a source of competitive advantage in the markets we serve."
