ASI certifies Kobe Steel, Ltd.’s subsidiary, Kobelco Group against Performance Standard V3
The facility manufactures and supplies Series 5000 and 6000 lightweight aluminium alloy plate and strip products for the automotive industry.
1 March 2024
Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI) today announced that Kobelco Automotive Aluminum Rolled Products (China) Co., Ltd. has been certified against the ASI Performance Standard V3 (2022). The manufacturing plant has production lines for heat treatment, surface treatment, longitudinal cutting, cross-cutting, and auxiliary facilities. The annual output capacity is 100,000 metric tonnes of aluminium alloy automotive sheet metal.
The ASI Certification program was developed through an extensive multi-stakeholder consultation process and is the only comprehensive voluntary sustainability standard initiative for the aluminium value chain. The ASI Performance Standard V3 (2022) was launched in May 2022 following a multi-year revision process. It defines 11 principles and 62 criteria under three sustainability pillars – Environment, Social, and Governance – with the aim to address pressing sustainability issues in the aluminium value chain, such as biodiversity, Indigenous Peoples’ rights, circularity, and greenhouse gas emissions.
The independent, third-party audit of Kobelco Automotive Aluminum Rolled Products (China) Co., Ltd. was carried out by DNV Business Assurance Services UK Ltd. A full listing of audit findings outlining evidence of conformances and minor non-conformances is available from page 5 of the summary audit report, linked below. Three minor non-conformances are noted under Criteria 4.4a-c Collection and Recycling of Products at End of Life – Material Conversion and other Manufacturing, 9.8b Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas – Identify and assess risks and 9.8e Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas – Report annually. During the Certification Period, Kobelco Automotive Aluminum Rolled Products (China) Co., Ltd.. will be implementing a corrective action plan, which will be verified in follow-up audits.
“We congratulate Kobe Steel, Ltd. for achieving Performance Standard Certification V3 (2022) at its subsidiary’s facility. The facility’s production of aluminium alloy sheet for the automotive industry serves aluminium’s growing role in the automotive sector, taking advantage of the material’s lightweighting, strength and anti-corrosive properties. The Performance Standard Certification demonstrates the facility’s ongoing work to meet ESG criteria in its production practices.”
– Fiona Solomon, Chief Executive Officer of the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative
“We believe that the ASI Performance Standard Certification validates our previous efforts, which is of crucial importance to our endeavor. As a company specializing in the aluminum business, we will coordinate with stakeholders, shouldering the responsibility to contribute possible solutions to both environmental and social problems.”
– Hagiwara Eishi, President, Kobelco Automotive Aluminum Rolled Products (China) Co., Ltd
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