Novelis’ commitment to sustainable aluminum production reached a significant milestone this year with the 10th anniversary of the Nachterstedt Aluminium Recycling Center (NARC) in Germany.
This state-of-the-art facility, representing a €300 million investment, stands as a testament to the company’s transformative vision for a circular economy within the aluminum industry.
NARC’s impact is substantial. With an annual capacity of 400,000 tonnes of recycled aluminum, it serves as a crucial hub for Novelis Europe’s operations, supplying high-recycled-content ingots to rolling plants. This strategic location within Europe ensures efficient distribution of sustainable materials, contributing significantly to the reduction of carbon emissions across the value chain.
The facility’s capabilities are truly impressive. As Emilio Braghi, Executive Vice President of Novelis Inc. and President of Novelis Europe, highlights, NARC produces aluminum ingots for automotive applications with up to 86% recycled content and beverage can bodies with nearly 100% recycled content. This directly supports Novelis’ ambition for a fully circular economy and allows the company to provide its customers with low-carbon aluminum solutions, aligning perfectly with their sustainability goals.
This commitment to circularity extends beyond the initial investment. Novelis continues to invest in NARC’s capabilities, with the addition of advanced sorting technology planned for completion by the end of 2024. This upgrade is projected to further optimize the use of post-consumer aluminum scrap, avoiding the use of approximately 8,500 tonnes of primary aluminum annually and reducing CO2e emissions by over 80,000 tonnes per year.
The significance of NARC extends beyond Novelis itself. Sven Schulze, Minister for Economic Affairs, Tourism, Agriculture and Forestry of Saxony-Anhalt, lauded Novelis’ commitment, emphasizing its contribution to establishing Germany and Saxony-Anhalt as leaders in sustainable aluminum solutions. He highlighted the facility’s positive impact on the regional economy and its role in demonstrating the synergy between economic success and environmental responsibility.
The success of NARC over the past decade showcases the transformative potential of investing in recycling infrastructure. It serves as a model for other industries seeking to embrace circular economy principles and demonstrates how significant reductions in carbon emissions can be achieved through innovative solutions and a steadfast commitment to sustainability. Novelis’ continued investment in NARC ensures its continued leadership in the responsible production and recycling of aluminum for years to come.
Source: novelis with additional information added by GlassBalkan
