| About this Abstract |
| Meeting |
2025 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition
|
| Symposium
|
Aluminum Primary Processing - Decarbonization and Sustainability in Aluminum Primary Processing: Joint Session of Aluminum Reduction, Electrode Technology, and REWAS 2025
|
| Presentation Title |
Development of the Carbon Footprint of Primary Aluminum Production |
| Author(s) |
Gudrun A. Saevarsdottir, Halvor Kvande |
| On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Gudrun A. Saevarsdottir |
| Abstract Scope |
The aluminum industry is acutely aware of the global goal of carbon neutrality by 2050. Greenhouse gas emissions from the primary aluminum industry arise both from the production processes and, due to their energy-intensive nature, from the production of the electrical energy used. Historically, the overall carbon footprint of primary aluminum has increased due to the increase in production being powered by fossil sources. This trend has reversed within the last decade, mostly due to increased Chinese production capacity being located in areas with access to hydropower. Also, there has been a reduction in process emissions. The overall global carbon footprint has decreased from 18 kg CO2eq/ kg Al to 15 kg CO2eq/ kg Al, with 1.7 kg CO2eq/ kg Al of that reduction being attributed to a higher share of renewable power used. In this paper, these developments, as well as other contributions to the carbon footprint, are discussed. |
| Proceedings Inclusion? |
Planned: Light Metals |
| Keywords |
Aluminum, Sustainability, Environmental Effects |