Through the project, which was kicked off in Holmestrand Tuesday, the natural science students will get the opportunity to collaborate with the private sector on an important and topical issue: how to be more environmentally efficient. 

Until the project ends March 4, students will study how Hydro Holmestrand can reduce their carbon footprint. Students will look at direct emissions from production, indirect emissions from transportation of raw materials and finished goods, as well as how recycling contributes positively to the CO2 picture.

"It's great that Hydro will work with us on this project. We completed a similar program two years ago, and feedback from students at the time was very positive," says Johan Hansteen, physics teacher at Holmestrand high school.

With its 400 employees, Hydro Holmestrand produces about 85 000 tonnes of aluminium products in the form of thin metal strips shipped to customers in the construction, packaging and transport sectors.

"Aluminium has a number of good qualities that have led to it now being the fastest growing metal in the world. Perhaps the most important characteristic of the metal is that it can be recycled over and over again using only five percent of the energy required to produce it in the first place. This is why aluminium recycling is so important," says Lars Tveito, HR manager for Hydro Holmestrand. Hydro Holmestrand recycles approximately 20 000 tonnes of used scrap aluminium every year.

Tveito believes it is useful for both students and Hydro Holmestrand to work together on these kinds of projects.

"We see two main benefits. Firstly, it is important for us to show the students that we have exciting career opportunities to offer when they are ready for the job market. Secondly, we believe that the students can address these problems in a creative way. Therefore we can learn something from them," he said.

The students will present their proposed solutions in a project report on 4 March.