Written on: July 7, 2021 by SprayTM
Ball Corp. and EN+ Group’s Metals segment RUSAL announced an exclusive partnership to incorporate ultra-low carbon aluminum in the slugs and impact extruded containers manufactured by Ball. The aluminum produced by EN+’s Metals segment uses state-of-the art inert anode technology and renewable energy-based smelting, generating 85% less CO2e compared to the global average for aluminum production, said the company.
Ball noted that thanks to its ReAl sustainability platform, it is able to significantly reduce
the environmental footprint of its aluminum slugs and impact extruded containers. CO2e reductions are achieved through a combination of recycled content, low-carbon aluminum, and lightweighting.
Senior Director for Sustainability, Innovation & Business Development Jason Galley explained, “Aluminum is the perfect material for a circular economy because of its high value, and the fact that it can be recycled endlessly without loss of quality. Few people realise that 75% of all the aluminum ever produced in the history of mankind is still in use today. With increasing demand for aluminum packaging around the world, we need to focus on mitigating any environmental, social and governance (ESG) impacts related to that supply. This is why we collaborate closely with suppliers such as EN+’s Metals segment to achieve responsible sourcing.”
VP of Ball Aluminum Technologies Sylvain Brisseau stated, “Our ambition is to keep pushing the boundaries of innovation in aluminum packaging, together with partners like EN+ Metals segment. Ultra-low-carbon aluminum is one of several levers that Ball uses to significantly reduce the carbon footprint of its aluminium slugs, cans and bottles. Our ReAl sustainability platform allows us to also reduce the weight of our packaging, and incorporate recycled content.”
The greenhouse gas emissions of primary aluminum can be reduced in several ways—for example, by using a renewable electricity supply for the smelting process; and also by using a novel inert anode technology that produces oxygen instead of the traditional carbon anode that produces CO2. EN+’s Metals segment aluminum is produced in the Kraznoyarsk (Russia) smelter using its own renewable, hydroelectric power, and is made using an inert anode technology. As a result, it generates 85% less CO2e compared to the global average for aluminium production, said Ball.*
Steve Hodgson, Director of Sales & Marketing of EN+’s Metal segment stated, “Our partnership with Ball Corp. represents the future possibility of sustainable aluminum products that go beyond our current low carbon capabilities by eliminating all greenhouse gas emissions during production. We are particularly excited to complement Ball’s own sustainability platform and help meet the demands of future generations.”
Ball and EN+’s Metals segment are members of the Aluminum Stewardship Initiative (ASI), a multi-stakeholder work program dedicated to enhancing the sustainability in the global aluminum sector. Ball’s Aerosol Packaging plants aim to become ASI-certified by early 2022.
