Glencore and Century to supply 150,000 tons of Natur‐Al aluminium
BAAR, Switzerland – Glencore and Century Aluminum Company have finalized the sale of 150,000 metric tons of Natur‐Al aluminium over five years to Austrian firm Hammerer Aluminium Industries (HAI).
Natur‐Al products are made with energy from 100% renewable sources at Century’s Norðurál Grundartangi aluminium plant in Iceland. While the product line has been in development over several years it was officially inaugurated in 2020. The aluminium will be supplied to Hammerer by Glencore.
Natur‐Al aluminium has direct CO₂ levels below two tonnes of CO₂ per tonne of aluminium – one of the lowest CO₂ footprints in the world for the metal. The total CO₂ footprint is four tonnes per tonne of aluminium, less than one‐quarter of the industry average.
To achieve these levels requires strict adherence to the highest standards in the sourcing of bauxite and alumina, the exclusive use of green energy from hydroelectric and geothermal sources, and seamless operation of the production process.
Robin Scheiner, Glencore’s Head of Alumina and Aluminium, commented, “We are proud to support our long‐standing partners in the manufacture and supply of high quality, low‐carbon aluminium. Our commitment to sourcing and supplying sustainable aluminium will be enhanced through our membership of the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI). Each of us has a role to play in the energy and mobility transition. At Glencore over half the aluminium we supply is low‐carbon, a key element in our ambition to be net zero by 2050.”
Michael Bless, Century’s President & CEO, commented, “We are very pleased to be working with our colleagues at Hammerer and Glencore on our first major sale of Natur‐Al. Century is committed to working with all our partners across the supply chain to produce a sustainable and lower carbon aluminium product. We firmly believe that the Natur‐Al low‐carbon product allows Century and our customers to contribute towards a better, greener future. The use of aluminium instead of steel, or other heavier metals, in manufacturing has already delivered significant reductions in CO₂ emissions; an excellent example is the increased fuel efficiency in automobiles with significant aluminium content. Natur‐Al offers a way for manufacturers to further lighten their carbon footprint. We look forward to working with our customers on further opportunities.”
Rob van Gils, Hammerer Aluminium Industries’ CEO, commented, “We are delighted about this partnership that will secure the supply of aluminium produced with one of the lowest CO₂ footprints available. As a recycler and remelter the CO₂ content of the primary aluminium we buy has a tremendous impact on our overall footprint. This supply agreement is a clear statement that HAI group is not compromising on our commitment to sustainability. Combining Natur‐Al aluminium with our recycled materials will allow us to produce billets at less than two tonnes of CO₂ per tonne of metal. It underlines our ambition to contribute to a better future and that aluminium is part of the solution for the ambitions of the EU Green Deal.”
Norðurál Grundartangi ehf. is certified by the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI) for the responsible production, sourcing and stewardship of aluminium. All CO₂ emissions are audited by independent third parties, facilitating the life‐cycle assessments for its customers.
