While many might view aluminium as an extractive, energy-intensive and emissions-heavy industry, Secretary General Ron Knapp of the International Aluminium Institute explains how and why the light metal can be considered a sustainable product.
Durable, light, recyclable products are bringing environmental and socioeconomic benefits to society during their use and end-of-life phases. The industry is reducing impacts throughout the production chain and maximizing its contributions, including employment and community development.
The aluminium industry is working to justify its use of resources at global and local levels, and to demonstrate safe and environmentally sound management of all its facilities and those of its suppliers.
Customers are increasingly demanding that the aluminium industry demonstrate that it produces responsibly, by mitigating environmental impact and enhancing the communities in which it operates.
To continue to receive societal consent to produce aluminium, the industry must responsibly manage its use of resources, while developing innovative products that save more resources in their use than they consume in their production.
Aluminium products bring a net benefit to society in terms of reduced environmental impact, with applications ranging from protective foil packaging in the pharmaceutical sector to energy savings in the transportation and building sectors, the major markets for aluminium.