Germany’s Audi becomes first OEM to gain certification for responsible aluminium sourcing

The certification applies to Audi’s press-shop operations at two auto body plants in Germany – at Neckarsulm and Ingolstadt. 

The two plants produce automotive body parts using aluminium sheet.

The scrap aluminium from the two facilities is collected in a separate stream and recycled in a closed-loop system.

“We warmly congratulate Audi on achieving ASI CoC certification for these two press-shop operations and becoming the first OEM to implement chain of custody in [its] own operations,” ASI chief executive Fiona Solomon said.

“Over the course of this year, we have noted a growing interest among downstream aluminium users to source responsibly produced aluminium for their products and to be able to demonstrate this to their customers. Paired with the company’s closed-loop scrap recycling system at these facilities, the CoC certification enables Audi to address consumer expectations and demand for more sustainable products,” she said.

The ASI CoC standard enables companies to demonstrate that material has been responsibly sourced and processed at all stages of the supply chain, from  the production of the sourced material through its processing through the value chain into diverse downstream sectors.

Dirk Gross-Loheide, a board member for procurement and IT at Audi, said: “We are responsible for all of the people who are part of our supply chain. To future generations we owe [the] respectful treatment of natural resources,”

“Membership of the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative is of enormous help to us in living up to this responsibility. Resource efficiency is the key to an industry that is fit for the future.” he added.

The discussion surrounding sustainable aluminium remains at the forefront of the industry, with an increasing number of supply-chain participants seeking the certification and focusing on a low-carbon aluminium supply chain.

A growing number of aluminium market participants have joined ASI in 2020. As of January 20, there were 152 ASI members; up from just 13 when the group was incorporated in June 2015.

And with the ever-growing interest in the low-carbon aluminium space, Fastmarkets is proposing to add low-carbon aluminium differentials to its existing European P1020 and value-added product (VAP) premiums to meet market demand for a low-carbon aluminium pricing mechanism.

To provide feedback on the proposal or give your thoughts on low-carbon aluminium pricing, please contact Alice Mason and Justin Yang by email at pricing@fastmarkets.com. Please add the subject heading ‘FAO: Alice Mason/Justin Yang, re: Green Aluminium.’