Industrial, Sourcing Renewables - March 15, 2023
Novelis Decarbonizes Plant in Switzerland
Novelis Inc., a sustainable aluminum solutions provider, completed the first year of operations, launching key energy projects aimed at enabling Scope 1 and 2 carbon neutral production at Novelis' Sierre plant in Switzerland.
The decarbonization was completed with its partners at the research and development laboratory Net Zero Lab Valais.
Novelis approved an investment in a new electrical pusher furnace, which will allow the plant to pre-heat sheet ingots with renewable electricity instead of natural gas, saving around 4,500t CO2eq per year and up to 180,000 CO2eq over the furnace's lifetime.
In addition, the lab partners completed a project to transfer waste heat from the casting process in Novelis' plant to the Technopôle – a nearby building complex. The energy supply, corresponding to a power of around 200 KW, covers about one-third of Technopôle's total energy demand. Novelis and OIKEN, a local energy provider and lab partner, intend to further expand this energy ecosystem with the goal to supply a substantial part of the Sierre region's energy demand before 2030.
"This lighthouse project brings to life our holistic decarbonization approach toward a net zero production," says Emilio Braghi, Executive Vice President, Novelis Inc., and President, Novelis Europe in a statement. "Additionally, it makes us very proud to see that beyond this important mission, we are also adding value to our surrounding communities and further expanding our position as a sustainability frontrunner and attractive employer."
The ultimate goal of research and projects coming out of the Net Zero Lab Valais is to find ways Novelis can reach carbon neutrality for scope 1 and 2 emissions at its Sierre plant by 2030, and then extend them to other plants around the world. The company has targets to reduce its carbon footprint by 30% by 2026, and to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 or sooner. Beyond its focus on energy efficiency initiatives and recycling, Novelis will continue to seek opportunities to decarbonize its operations by converting to renewable energy sources.
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