Greener Aluminium Online Summit Conference Agenda

7th September, 2023 (BST)

Conference Programme*

*Timings and speakers subject to change

10:00am

Welcome

Introduction to the event.

Nadine Bloxsome, Editor, Aluminium International Today

10:15am

How to Succeed in Green Hydrogen Fuel Switch

June 2023, Hydro produced the first batch of recycled aluminium using green hydrogen instead of natural gas. In a 3-week test at the Hydro Navarra extrusion plant in Spain, the company proved that fuel switching to hydrogen can be done safely and give high metal quality. Hydro is pursuing green hydrogen fuel switch as one of the solutions to reach their long term goal: Produce and recycle aluminium without CO2 emissions.

Presented by:

Mario Chueca Asurmendi: Mario is the casthouse manager in the aluminium extrusion plant Hydro Navarra, and was a key part of the team behind the green hydrogen test. With an M. Sc. In Industrial Engineering and a Postgraduate in Project Management, he has been working in the aluminium business since 1997.

Martin Strande: Martin Strande is working as lead project manager for hydrogen developments and fuel switch solutions in Hydro Havrand. Martin has 15 years’ experience from the broader energy sector having worked in consulting, senior management and as project manager. He has a special interest in technology qualification and industrial implementation of new technologies.

11:00am

Clean Energy and Technologies Needed to Decarbonise our Operations

At the Greener Aluminium Online Summit, the panel themed "Clean Energy and Technologies Needed to Decarbonize Our Operations" spotlights Novelis' unwavering commitment to sustainability. Speakers Vinicius Silva and Todd Aston provide insights into the company's strategic energy reduction endeavours.

Vinicius Silva, Vice President of Global Engineering, Energy Efficiency, Maintenance, Reliability, and Automation, underscores Novelis' holistic approach. Todd Aston, Senior Manager of Sustainability Innovation, introduces ERASE (Energy Reduction and Sustainable Engineering) and its significance within Novelis' overarching goals.

Delving deeper, the panellists share operational routines for energy management, outlining tactical practices that guide energy consumption. They discuss both short-term and long-term strategies, covering operational improvements with a focus on CAPEX and OPEX investments. In addition, they explore Novelis' engagement in energy transition and alternative fuels, highlighting regional trials and its transformative impact on the industry.

Collectively, the panel provides an encompassing view of Novelis' multifaceted efforts towards sustainable energy practices, solidifying the company's pivotal role in pioneering the decarbonisation of the aluminium industry.

Presented by:

Moderator: Natalia Freeman, Manager, Global Strategic and Commercial Communications

Panelists: Vinicius Silva, Vice President of Global Engineering, Energy Efficiency, Maintenance, Reliability, and Automation

Todd Aston, Senior Manager of Sustainability Innovation and Energy Reduction and Sustainable Engineering in the Atrium Foyer outside, as well as in the Pulse lounge.

12:00pm

Unlocking Flexibility and Removing Barriers: A Technology Leader’s Perspective

In this candid Q&A with Nadine Bloxsome, Karyna will share her unique perspective as CEO of a transformative technology company serving the primary aluminium industry. This role affords Karyna front row seats to the multiple levers being pulled by aluminium smelters to remain competitive and above all, sustainable.

Regardless of geography, size or scale the drive to decarbonise is universal with many producers looking to technology to solve their challenges. Nadine will ask why making an impact on the Chinese aluminium industry has been a strategic priority for the company in 2023 and what progress has been made.

Hosted by:

Nadine Bloxsome, Editor, Aluminium International Today

Interviewee:

Karyna Young, CEO, EnPot

2:00pm

Closing the Loop in Production by Processing Scrap and Off-grade Material for Internal Recycling

Due to the increased raw material and energy prices, the ever-increasing logistics and personnel costs and the requirements for CO₂ avoidance, the internal recycling of scrap material and metallic residues is becoming more and more interesting for production companies.

The type of seizure, the necessary interim storage and the handling of the residues are a major challenge in not having them "disposed of" by external service providers. ORM offers various simple processing plants, especially for the aluminium industry, which feed these recyclable materials back into the internal raw material cycle and thus not only make a financial but also a green contribution to the company balance sheet.

The simple integration into the production processes is to be illustrated using various examples from practical use by aluminium processors such as die-casting foundries, profile and packaging material manufacturers.

Presented by:

Andreas Hake, General Manager & Owner, Oberländer Recycling Maschinen GmbH

2:45pm

How Aluminium Companies Will Transform their Models, Brands and Services to Win the Decarbonisation Challenge

How aluminium companies need to rethink and transform their models, brands and services to adapt, survive and become future proof, with a particular focus on:

The urgency to act, the business cases for a net zero carbon strategy

What are the essentials ingredients to win

The solutions applicable to the aluminium industry with concrete cases of implementation

What are the roles of hydrogen and renewable energy in the global transformation.

Presented by:

Jerome Lucaes, CEO, Fast Forward Zero

3:30pm

Is this the best we can do…really?

Geoff updates the Aluminium Production Pathway to Zero Carbon 2050, and bemoans the lack of any real progress in primary production. He also looks at whether our slowness to develop localised remelt facilities is adding unnecessarily to the embedded emissions of recycled aluminium. “When you look at export scrap profiles of countries like the UK and Australia, many of the circular economy claims being made about aluminium in these countries is greenwashing at best, and downright fraudulent at worst. We can’t infinitely be shipping scrap around the world only to be remelted with coal or gas”

Presented by:

Geoff Matthews, Event Director and Partner, Sustainable Industrial Manufacturing