Capral introduces lower carbon aluminium for Australian manufacturers

Australian aluminium manufacturer Capral has announced the introduction of its new LocAl aluminium, a lower-carbon primary aluminium option available across Capral’s locally manufactured extruded aluminium products.

The LocAl offer includes two lower carbon aluminium options: LocAl Green with carbon emissions of 8 kg CO2e/kg and LocAl Super Green at 4 kg CO2e/kg — amongst the lowest carbon aluminium available globally, according to the company.

In 2022 Capral committed to reaching net zero emissions by 2050, driving innovation and cultural evolution throughout the business, most notably within procurement and operations. The introduction of LocAl demonstrates a deliberate shift in Capral’s procurement strategy for primary aluminium billet.

“In 2022, 22% of the primary aluminium billet Capral uses in its eight local extrusion presses has a carbon content lower than 8 kg CO2e per kilogram of aluminium,” said Luke Hawkins, General Manager of Supply & Industrial Solutions. “Approximately 300 tonnes have a certified carbon content lower than 4 kg of CO2e per kilogram of aluminium.

“This is a strategic change for Capral, driven by our desire to make lower carbon aluminium accessible to Australian manufacturers. The market is looking for this product, and as Australia’s largest extruder of aluminium, we must make it available.”

Aluminium is often touted as the “sustainable metal”, its versatility and recyclability earning it this reputation. However, there are significant variations in the carbon emissions generated by smelters during the production of primary aluminium — one might argue that some aluminium is considerably more sustainable than others.

The main contribution to the carbon emissions of aluminium comes from the electrolysis process used in aluminium smelting. Around 60% of the aluminium sector’s GHG emissions are from the production of electricity consumed during the aluminium smelting process, and the four aluminium smelters producing primary aluminium within Australia consume approximately 10% of the national energy grid.

The carbon emissions in primary aluminium production range from under 4 kg CO2e/kg Al to over 20 kg CO2e/kg Al, largely dependent on the energy sources used. The current global average carbon emission for primary aluminium is approximately 16.8 kg CO2e/kg Al.

“At eight kilograms of carbon emissions per kilogram of aluminium, the LocAl Green offer has 50% lower carbon emissions than the current global average for primary aluminium,” said Michael O’Keefe, General Manager of Marketing & Technology. “At 4 kilograms, LocAl Super Green is 75% lower; this is a significant reduction. It gives Australian manufacturers an important opportunity to make more responsible procurement decisions when they source extruded aluminium.”

In addition to lower carbon emissions, the primary aluminium offered under the LocAl brand is sourced exclusively from Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI) certified smelters.

ASI is a global non-profit organisation that brings together producers, users and stakeholders in the aluminium value chain. ASI members are committed to the responsible procurement and sustainable production of aluminium. This globally recognised organisation has become the cornerstone of sustainable aluminium procurement for the world’s leading aluminium organisations delivering robust standards and transparency. Capral joined ASI in July 2022.

“Being able to offer LocAl aluminium sourced from ASI-certified smelters gives us the added assurance that the aluminium we buy has been produced responsibly with consideration given to sustainability and societal impact. It helps us stand behind the product we sell and tell our customers we’ve done the best we can to deliver you a product that has been produced responsibly at all stages in the value chain,” Hawkins said.

Industry sectors, including construction, renewable energy, transport and marine, are increasingly looking for lower carbon options for their products to meet customer expectations. Capral is now ready to support these sectors with access to aluminium with up to 75% lower carbon emissions than global averages.

Image: Aluminium billets. Source: Capral.