Novelis Pioneers Hydrogen Usage in Aluminium Recycling Processes

Revolutionizing Aluminium Recycling with Hydrogen

Novelis Inc., a renowned name in sustainable aluminium solutions, has taken a significant leap toward carbon-neutral production by successfully testing hydrogen fuel in their recycling furnaces. This initiative marks an important step in their commitment to environmental sustainability and efficient resource management.

Innovative Testing Initiatives

The trials were conducted at Novelis' facility in the UK, where they aimed to substitute natural gas with hydrogen in the recycling process. This approach is noteworthy as using hydrogen can lead to up to a 90% reduction in CO₂ emissions compared to traditional natural gas methods.

Collaboration for Change

This groundbreaking project was carried out in partnership with Progressive Energy, under a UK government decarbonization programme. The introduction of new technologies, such as advanced burners and regenerators, was integral to these tests, showcasing Novelis' innovative spirit.

Safety and Efficiency in Hydrogen Usage

During the testing phase, Novelis placed a strong emphasis on safety as they blended varying proportions of hydrogen with natural gas, ranging from 30% to 100%. This rigorous testing allowed the company to assess the impact on existing infrastructure and equipment compatibility without compromising operations.

Numerous tonnes of 3000 series scrap aluminium alloy were successfully remelted and crafted into sheet ingots during this phase, illustrating the viability of this new method. Continuous monitoring of key parameters assured that product quality remained uncompromised throughout the tests.

Establishing a Complete Production Process

Following these tests, further processing stages—including rolling and finishing—will continue at different Novelis locations in Europe. This strategy aims to define the comprehensive parameters when utilizing hydrogen in aluminium recycling, paving the way for future advancements.

Sharing Results and Future Goals

Once the post-trial evaluations are completed, Novelis plans to share their findings in a detailed report, contributing vital insights as part of the UK government's Industrial Fuel Switching programme. These planned releases will serve to educate and inform about the potential of hydrogen as an alternative energy source in industrial applications.

Pioneering New Frontiers in Sustainability

Allan Sweeney, Plant Manager at Novelis Latchford, expressed pride in Novelis being a pioneer in hydrogen testing within the aluminium industry. He emphasized that insights gained from these trials will not only influence operations at Latchford but also inspire further research into hydrogen's potential across their global recycling networks.

Investment in Future Projects

As part of its ambitious strategy, Novelis is also investing approximately $90 million into expanding its recycling capacity for used beverage cans at the Latchford plant. This enhancement will improve the facility's recycling capabilities by an additional 85 kilotonnes per year while also targeting over 350,000 tonnes reduction in CO₂ emissions annually.

Commitment to Sustainability Goals

Aligned with Novelis' 3x30 vision, the company has established robust sustainability goals to achieve by 2030. These objectives include raising the recycled content in their products to 75% and curtailing carbon emissions to less than 3 tonnes CO₂ per tonne of aluminium shipped. Furthermore, Novelis aims for complete carbon neutrality by 2050.

About Novelis
Novelis Inc. is dedicated to shaping a sustainable world through innovative aluminum products and solutions. With a focus on a circular economy, Novelis leads the industry as the largest recycler of aluminum, operating globally across various industries, including aerospace and automotive. The company generated net sales of $16.2 billion in the last fiscal year, underlining its financial health and commitment to ecological responsibility.

About Novelis Latchford
Novelis Latchford stands as one of Europe's premier aluminium recycling plants, demonstrating a closed-loop operation for automotive aluminium products. This facility plays a crucial role in Novelis' overall mission to maximize recycled material use while establishing strong collaborative relationships across the industry to meet sustainability targets effectively.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the significance of Novelis testing hydrogen in recycling?

This testing represents a significant advancement in reducing carbon emissions in aluminium production, positioning Novelis as a leader in sustainable practices.

How does using hydrogen reduce emissions?

Hydrogen can lead to up to a 90% reduction in CO₂ emissions compared to natural gas when used in melting furnaces.

What are Novelis' sustainability goals?

Novelis aims to achieve a 75% recycled content by 2030 and to become fully carbon neutral by 2050.

Where will further processing of the recycled material take place?

Further processing will occur at other Novelis plants across Europe to complete the production cycle for hydrogen-based recycled alloys.

What is Novelis' investment in recycling capabilities?

Novelis plans to invest $90 million to enhance its recycling capacity for used beverage cans, significantly increasing its environmental sustainability.

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