Aluminum

Summary of Aluminum Task Force Action Plan

Partner countries account for 52% of the world's aluminum production. The aluminum industry is one of the world's fastest-growing sectors, especially among developing countries. Through the Partnership, countries are moving toward effective and efficient methods of controlling harmful emissions and promoting sustainable practices in the aluminum industry by introducing new technology, the sharing of best practices, and market transformation.

The long-term goal of the Aluminum Task Force is to reduce negative impacts on the environment, advance efficiency and performance, and reduce energy and operational costs. This will be done through applying best-practice use of existing equipment, increasing the uptake of best available and affordable technology, and developing and deploying new technologies.

U.S Task Force Members 
Aluminum Task Force Summary of Action Plan and Projects  10/31/06
Aluminum Task Force on the APP International Website

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Sharing Technology and Best Practices

Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Partner countries are working to reduce emissions of perfluorocarbons (PFCs), which are extremely potent, long-lived greenhouse gases. The United States is making progress in reducing PFC emission intensity through the application of currently available cost-effective technologies and practices that are applicable to all smelters. The U.S. will share its expertise with Partners and work to adopt standard facility-specific measurements, conduct benchmark assessments, and identify potential technical upgrades for the majority of the Aluminum Task Force projects. The anticipated outcome is an efficient and effective way to reduce PFC emissions. Training workshops and emissions measurement projects are under development for 2007.

Environmental Impacts: The Task Force is working to decrease emissions of fluorides, (substances that result from smelting that can have serious environmental impact on local flora and fauna), by providing operators with information on their emissions performance and identifying practical reduction mechanisms. The Task Force also plans to develop technically and economically sound uses for bauxite residue, the environmentally problematic residue from alumina processing.

Recycling: The Aluminum Task Force will promote aluminum recycling, which uses only 5% of the energy required for primary metal production and avoids PFC emissions and other environmental pollutants associated with alumina processing and aluminum production by developing baseline recycling rates and an annual reporting mechanism to monitor progress. The result will be a database of best practices for collection and recycling operations, including environmental and safety practices to enhance sustainable recycling operations.

Facilitating Environmentally Friendly Investments in Aluminum Technology

Leaders of the aluminum associations of the seven Partner countries agreed to a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to reduce PFC emissions from aluminum production in May 2006. The signing is a strong signal that the Partnership's aluminum associations will work together to leverage funding to further the Task Force's goals. Partner countries Japan and South Korea do not produce primary aluminum or bauxite, and there is virtually no bauxite production in the United States.

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Summary of U.S. Led Aluminum Projects

Linkage of Aluminum Technology Provider in the United States and India

Participating Organizations: U.S. Department of State, Secat, Inc.

This project is currently resulting in the development of an internet-based register for technology providers in the United States and India associated with the aluminum industry. The project has created an internet-based register of technology providers in the United States and India associated with the aluminum industry which is enabling access to resources for implementing changes for environmental and commercial performance of all aluminum industry operations in both countries.