In addition, more than two-thirds of the sites have also achieved ASI Chain of Custody (CoC) certification.

The Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI) aims to see sustainability and human rights principles increasingly embedded in supply chains. Its Performance Standard recognizes the responsible production, sourcing and stewardship of aluminium. The Chain of Custody (CoC) Standard sets out requirements for the creation of a chain of custody for CoC material, including ASI Aluminium, which is produced and processed through the value chain into the downstream sectors.

It means not only that the sites and their practices are certified, but that the physical metal they process also is certified, when obtained from ASI-certified sources.

“ASI certification strengthens our competitive position in a marketplace where the demand for greener aluminium is growing fast. Developing state-of-the-art sustainable products is a key part of our positioning just as it is for the positioning of our customers,” says Executive Vice President Paul Warton, who heads Hydro Extrusions.

Targeting ASI certification of all aluminium extrusion sites

The 47 ASI-certified sites in Hydro Extrusions are located in Asia, Europe and South America. Next up is the business area’s manufacturing plant in Taicang, China, which just completed its certification audit.

Hydro Extrusions plants in Canada, Mexico and the United States are in the early stages of their preparation for ASI certification, according to Jean-Marc Moulin, who is leading the work for the business area as its director of sustainability.

“Our ambition is to have all of our sites ASI-certified,” says Moulin.

Certifications include metal production and bauxite and alumina activities

In addition to the extrusion sites, Hydro operations in its Aluminium Metal and Bauxite & Alumina business areas are also certified according to ASI’s two standards.

The Aluminium Metal certifications cover aluminium smelting, casthouse activities and recycling at Hydro’s fully owned sites, and the joint venture plant Albras in Brazil. 

Hydro’s Paragominas bauxite mine and Alunorte alumina refinery in Brazil are also ASI-certified. Alunorte is the world’s largest alumina refinery outside China.