GHG Emissions, Industrial, Sourcing Renewables  -  May 12, 2022

Novelis to Build Low-Carbon Aluminum Plant

Novelis Inc., a sustainable aluminum provider, announced it will invest $2.5 billion to build a new low-carbon recycling and rolling plant in Bay Minette, Alabama. The facility will have an initial 600 kilotonnes of finished aluminum goods capacity per year.

"This investment marks the start of another transformational growth phase for Novelis," said  Kumar Mangalam Birla, Chairman of the Aditya Birla Group and the Novelis Board of Directors, in a statement. "We continue to invest in each of the markets Novelis serves – from beverage can to automotive, aerospace and specialties – and in all geographies. Novelis has a track record of success in delivering customers the low-carbon, sustainable aluminum solutions they seek, and we will continue that storied history with this investment and others to come."

More than half of the capacity of the new facility will be used to serve growing demand for aluminum beverage can sheet in North America. The facility will also serve the automotive market.

The facility will be the first fully integrated aluminum mill built in the U.S. in 40 years. It will aim to be net carbon neutral for Scope 1 and 2, be powered primarily by renewable energy, use recycled water and be a zero-waste facility. It will also rely on railroad transportation, which can reduce logistics-related carbon emissions by up to 70% compared to road transport. The plant will make significant use of advanced automation and digital technologies, including artificial intelligence, augmented reality and robotics. 

Site work is underway now and the company expects to begin commissioning in mid-2025.