BRAZILIAN ALUMINUM - solutions for sustainable living

BRAZILIAN ALUMINUM SOLUTIONS FOR SUSTAINABLE LIVING 56 RECYCLING: BEYOND THE OBVIOUS Recycling: beyond the obvious Recyclability is an intrinsic trait of aluminum. Still, it might only reach full potential if a given value chain is capable of benefiting from industrial scrap and its post- consumption stage, thus turning it into new products that generate 95% of energy savings and low emissions. No one doubts that recycling is hugely advantageous; yet going beyond the obvious in this chain that relies on social, economic and environmental aspects might be troubled. The Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI), of which ABAL is a member, provides for in its Principle 4 of the ASI Performance Standard approved in December 2014 relating to the aluminum value chain that: “The Company is committed to take a life cycle perspective and to promote resource efficiency, collection and recycling of aluminium within its operations as well as within the value chain”. Furthermore, those life cycle assessment techniques still barely in place in Brazil, along with the concept of circular economy, clearly demonstrate the relevant role of recycling in minimizing impacts and carbon footprint on new products and the economy itself. The Brazilian industry is provided with the skills and the facilities for aluminum recycling, having as the greatest example the Pindamonhangaba center (look under “learn more”). So, we’ll the address two aspects that are also key to recycling:  Economic incentives  Recycling measuring Economic incentives - not all aluminum is the same Aluminum begins to differentiate itself in the market for its environmental attributes. Some manufacturers have devised brands that point out the source of the metal and its lower carbon footprint, whether for its recycled content or its energy source, which must preferably be renewable. Those alternatives are attractive for customers looking for low carbon footprint in products, who are willing to pay a differentiated price for it. That is the case of RenewAl™ – World’s first certified low CO 2 aluminum by Rio Tinto or the Alcoa SUSTANA™ line. 6 Endless recyclability, an intrinsic trait of aluminum, stands out in Brazil. Still, it might only arrive at optimum potential if the industry makes a move toward measuring and understanding how paramount it is to further reduce the carbon footprint of our products.