by Jeff Yoders on DECEMBER 19, 2016

Alcoa, Corp. recently launched new aluminum product lines produced with low carbon emissions and recycled content. The new sustainable line includes two key product categories:

• Ecolum: a range of cast products among the least carbon-intensive products available today, yielding a 75% lower carbon impact than the industry average.
• Ecodura: aluminum billets made with a minimum of 50% recycled content and use up to 95% less energy to manufacture when compared to products with no recycled material.

Alcoa said ecolum products will qualify for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification from the U.S. Green Building Council and, as such, the company is preparing Environmental Product Declarations for the building and construction market that helps customers achieve LEED materials and resources credits.

Only plants that operate on hydro-electric power that meet the emissions requirements for the ecolum guarantee of less than 2.5 metric tons of CO2 emissions per metric ton of aluminum. The ecodura products can be produced at any facility that has the ability to remelt scrap.