Novelis opens $65m South Korean aluminium recycling facility

Novelis has begun operations at its recycling centre in Ulsan, advancing its circular aluminium production approach in South Korea.

The facility can produce up to 100,000 tons of low-carbon aluminium sheet ingot a year by processing a scrap, ranging from beverage cans to automobile components and industrial materials.

The project began in 2022 after the US-based company invested $65 million in Ulsan Aluminum, a rolled aluminium producer jointly operated with Japanese steelmaker Kobe Steel.

In addition to operating Asia’s largest aluminium can recycling plant in Yeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, the new site will raise Novelis’ total annual recycling capacity in South Korea to 470,000 tons.

The company said that the Ulsan facility is expected to cut carbon emissions by 420,000 tons a year — the equivalent of what 19 million trees absorb annually.

Recycling aluminium reduces emissions by up to 95% compared to production from raw materials, with no decline in quality.

Novelis anticipates the site will strengthen its collaboration with South Korean industries in response to the growing demand for eco-friendly materials.

Novelis Asia President, Sachin Satpute, said: “The Ulsan Aluminum Recycling Center is a strategic investment aimed at meeting growing customer demand for sustainable, low-carbon aluminium across beverage packaging, automotive and specialty product sectors.”

“We will continue to expand the use of recycled aluminum inputs to reduce our carbon footprint as well as those of our customers and our industry, accelerating the transition to a circular economy.”

Source: www.aluminiumtoday.com