BRAZILIAN ALUMINUM - solutions for sustainable living

BRAZILIAN ALUMINUM SOLUTIONS FOR SUSTAINABLE LIVING 50 THE INDUSTRY’S ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE 5.2.4 - Notes and comments  The outcome of that survey verified that the greater intensity of energy consumption lies in producing primary aluminum at 80.85 GJ/ton of aluminum, and then followed by Refinery production at 7.27 GJ/ton of alumina.  Alumina refineries beat Smelters, turning today into the largest energy consumers in the aluminum chain in Brazil.  Nevertheless, when we compare the 2010 data with 2015 for those two phases in production, by applying the equivalent intensity achieved in 2015, it turns out that the sum of consumption showed a 26% drop, moving from 186,889 TJ to 138,402 TJ.  Comparing the survey findings with international data provided by the International Energy Agency in 2009 (table below), it is observed that production phases in Brazil involve an energy intensity that is lower than the world average, in particular for Refineries, which are more advanced and efficient. Production phase Brazil average GJ/ton Global average GJ/ton (IEA) Bauxite mining 0.12 0.15 Alumina refining 7.27 16.00 Aluminum primary production 80.85 117.00 Source: ABAL and the International Energy Agency  However, the specific electric power consumption in primary aluminum production in 2015 remained at 14.95 MWh/ton, about 5% higher than the world average of 14.23 MWh/ton, according to IAI’s data.  Secondary aluminum production in Brazil consumes about 6% of energy in the primary aluminum production, which is close to the data provided by the International Aluminium Institute (IAI) that is at 5%, thus reinforcing the relevance of recycling.  The energy mix used in the processes of the aluminum industry in Brazil underlines some significant points:  Electric power accounts for about 67% of energy consumption in Smelters. Such power, which in Brazil is predominantly water source, provides the Brazilian aluminum with a carbon footprint that is around 60% lower than the world average, as per the study published by ABAL in 2010.  The relevanceof initiatives inenergy efficiency for theprocessesnamed upstream processes (i.e. Mining, Refining and Smelting processes).  The availability of natural gas for the largest Refining and Smelting plants located in the State of Pará, an old query of the segment, would cause a substantial impact on depleting emissions.  Using natural gas in the processing and secondary production undertakings that are centered in the Southeast region in Brazil has already contributed to lower emissions in those production phases.