ALBANY (Scrap Monster): Two leading global aluminum organizations have signed a crucial deal to work together to promote sustainable production, use and recycling of aluminum products around the world. The five year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the International Aluminum Institute (IAI) and the Aluminum Stewardship Initiative (ASI). The MoU was signed last weekend by ASI Chief Executive Officer, Fiona Solomon, and IAI Secretary General, Ron Knapp.

The collaboration agreement is aimed at fostering efforts to improve the overall performance and sustainability of global aluminum trade. As part of the agreement, the two organizations will share established frameworks on measurement, reporting and verification procedures and practices. Also, selected industry data on greenhouse gas emissions, water and energy use, waste and risk management will be shared towards improving the sector performance. The executive teams of both the organizations will meet periodically to monitor the levels of cooperation. In addition, an annual report will be submitted by both the organization members to their respective Boards on the status of collaboration.

Daniel Weston, ASI Board Chair stated that the organization is delighted to work with IAI. Further, he noted that IAI’s long history of data collection, research and publications on key industry issues will benefit both the organizations to jointly deal with the challenges of sustainability metrics. The collaboration will help foster its efforts to develop an independent third party certification program for the aluminium value chain, Weston added.

Hilde Aasheim, Chair of the IAI Board of Directors noted that the association with ASI coupled with the data amassed over the period of past four decades will help them to develop global standards for measurement and verification of sustainability performance. The certified assurance on sustainability claims on various lightweight aluminum products will help to increase their global acceptability, Aasheim added.

Meantime, it is predicted that global aluminum demand is likely to grow by 4-5% in 2017, aided by increased demand from automobile manufacturers and can makers. The demand growth may vary from region to region, with Asia expected to post faster growth. The replacement of high-strength steel by lighter alloys has led to increased consumption of aluminum. The European demand for rolled aluminum products is expected to remain firm. The use of automotive aluminum is expected to see double-digit growth by the end of the decade.

About ASI

ASI is a standards setting and certification organization that recognizes and fosters the responsible production, sourcing and stewardship of aluminum. ASI has more than 35 members from the aluminium value chain, civil society, associations and other supporters.  

About IAI

The IAI is the global forum of aluminum producers, with 28 member companies, dedicated to the development and wider use of aluminum as a competitive and uniquely valuable material. The IAI in all its activities supports the concept that aluminum is a material that lends itself to improving people's living standards in a sustainable fashion.