Research reveals ‘clean energy’ minerals overlap with Indigenous lands
A study from The University of Queensland, published in Nature Sustainability, identified 5,097 mining projects involving about 30 minerals needed in the energy transition. Overall, some 54% are located on or near Indigenous peoples’ lands. Bauxite has the highest degree of geographic overlap out of all energy transition minerals and metals.
Wind farms on the traditional lands of the Sami people of Norway impact on the traditional practices of the Sami peoples by altering the reindeer migration routes.
Urgent solutions needed to address climate change are introducing new impacts and dynamics as mineral and metal resources are extracted to support energy transitions. These increasingly include Indigenous peoples’ and peasant land. Unless the local effects of resource extraction are comprehensively addressed, global climate mitigation efforts will exacerbate local and global effects. This will be especially seen in locations that have historically been less impacted by forces of industrialisation.
As we close the chapter on the 2017 Standards (PSV2 and CoCV1), we look back on the growth of ASI Certification in the aluminium value chain since our first certification in March 2018.
In May 2022, following a multi-year consultation process, ASI released revised versions of the Performance Standard (PS V3) and Chain of Custody Standard (CoC V2). Certifications have already been issued against both of these latest versions of the Standards, and uptake will increase as the one-year transition period – the time during which certifying Entities have the option to be audited against either version of the Standards – comes to an end on May 31, 2022. From 1 June 2023, all initial ASI certification and re-certification audits must be conducted against the latest versions of the Standards.
ASI Certification growth analysis
As of end-December 2022, ASI had issued a total of 232 Certifications - 165 Performance Standard V2 Certifications and 67 Chain of Custody V1 Certifications. Compared to the previous year, there was a 44% increase in Performance Standard Certifications and 49% in Chain of Custody Certifications.
The 28th World Aluminium Conference will take place on the 16-18 May 2023 at the St Pancras Renaissance Hotel, London, organised by CRU and co-hosted by the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI) and the International Aluminium Institute (IAI).
The agenda integrates sustainability and market insights focused on the aluminium value chain. The third day will include two parallel workshop sessions: one on a deeper dive on GHG methodologies and the other on ASI as a Track A Standard for LME’s Responsible Sourcing program.
ASI, IAI and CRU are joining forces for this event to maximise value for our respective stakeholders, so mark your calendars today to join us in London in May!
ASI’s ongoing benchmarking and harmonisation activities
Partnership activities play a key role in ASI’s 2023 Strategy and Theory of Change. One area of ASI’s partnerships work includes benchmarking and harmonisation with external Standards and Schemes.
Benchmarking and harmonisation activities are increasingly relevant in the context of proliferating standards, supply chain initiatives and proposed and existing due diligence regulations.
ASI recognises relevant external Standards and Certification Schemes wherever possible and appropriate, in order to enhance collaboration, reduce unnecessary duplication, and inform ASI’s learning and continual improvement. ASI also seeks to be recognised by external Standards and Schemes to increase uptake of ASI membership and certification, particularly by Entities engaged in activities beyond the aluminium value chain.
ASI Performance Standard V3 (2022) recognised in the Green Building Council Australia’s Responsible Products Framework
ASI’s Performance Standard V3 has been recognised by the Green Building Council of Australia’s Green Star under the its Responsible Products Framework.
Founded by Green Building Council of Australia in 2003, Green Star is an internationally recognised rating system setting the standard for healthy, resilient, positive buildings and places. Developed for the Australian environment, Green Star has certified thousands of sustainable fitouts, buildings, homes and communities across the country.
A Green Star certification provides independent assurance that high standards across a range of sustainability categories have been met. Green Star assesses and rates buildings, interiors and communities against a range of environmental impact categories that align with Sustainable Development Goals.
To verify how responsible a product is, Green Star relies on industry accepted initiatives and schemes. Following a benchmarking assessment with GBCA in 2022, ASI’s Performance Standard V3 has now been recognised by Green Star under the Responsible Products Framework.
This means that ASI certified members can now contribute to Green Star credit points (under the ‘Green Star Building’ category: Responsible Structure, Responsible Envelope, Responsible Finishes, and Responsible Systems) for the structure on a project.
Alignment with OECD Due Diligence Guidance and LME Responsible Sourcing requirements
As part of last year’s standard revision process, the 2022 ASI Performance Standard and Guidance (V3) have been aligned with the OECD Due Diligence Guidance to meet LME Responsible Sourcing requirements.
In August 2022, ASI was conditionally approved as a recognised alignment-assessed standard by the London Metal Exchange (LME) and aims to achieve ‘full alignment’ in the next 12 months.
This month, ASI attended the jointly hosted LME-OECD Due Diligence Guidance Auditing Summit in Paris. The event aimed to articulate challenges and brainstorm solutions to common auditing challenges in the application of standards seeking alignment with the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas. The plenary and group discussions identified the challenges and possible solutions for auditing against the OECD Due Diligence Guidance.
ICMM Equivalency Benchmark updated for ASI Performance Standard Version 3 (2022) criteria
ICMM and ASI have recently collaborated to update the benchmark assessing equivalencies between ICMM’s Mining Principles and the ASI Performance Standard. Compared to ASI Performance Standard V2, more criteria in the ASI Performance Standard V3 now meet the ICMM Performance Expectations.
ASI and ICMM conducted a comprehensive Equivalency Benchmark in 2020 to see how the requirements of the ASI Performance Standard V2 are equivalent to, or differ from ICMM’s Mining Principles and associated PEs.
The Equivalency Benchmark was updated in 2023 following the publication of the revised ASI Performance Standards and Guidance V3 in May 2022.
ASI's 45 minutes on... webinars covering a broad range of key issues related to our work program, often held in partnership with ASI members and top experts from leading organisations in their fields. If you missed one, you can watch the recording.
Human Rights Due Diligence and Responsible Sourcing: ASI Requirements and Beyond (January 2023)
Climate change adaptation: Community health risk, resilience and responses (January 2023)
ASI's Working Groups: An overview for Members (November 2022)
Critical Ecosystem Areas: Better biodiversity metrics for business with WCS (November 2022)
Grievance mechanisms: training for practitioners with BSR, RMI, The Copper Mark (October 2022)
The Species Threat Abatement and Restoration Metric (STAR) with IBAT (October 2022)
Emerging ESG paradigm shifts in industry with Dr. Raj Aseervatham (August 2022)
AUDI future rollout of ASI compliant material (July 2022)
Aluminium + Climate 101 (July 2022)
Business relationships as a driver for circularity with Dr Shyaam Ramkumar (June 2022)
ASI's approach to Chain of Custody: Certification scope, Inputs/Outputs, mass balance (May 2022)
Decarbonising Shipping: Insights into how Cargill is working with others to make zero-carbon shipping a reality (Apr 2022)
Addressing modern slavery in the ASI Performance Standard (Mar 2022)
Crunching the numbers: Analysing ASI Certification data using the new ASI Public Dashboard (Feb 2022)
The new Net-Zero Standard with the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) (Jan 2022)
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ASI CERTIFICATION NEWS
In February, ASI Members achieved 7 new certifications, with several more in the announcement pipeline.
China Hongqiao Group Co., Ltd. has achieved ASI Performance Standard V2 (2017) Certification for its subsidiary operation Binzhou Hongzhan Aluminium Technology Co., Ltd. The company’s activities focus on the research and development, production and sales of aluminium sheet, strip and foil, with an annual capacity of 50,000 tonnes. Consult the media release.
China Hongqiao Group Co., Ltd. has achieved ASI Performance Standard V2 (2017) Certification for its subsidiary operation Zouping Hongfa Aluminium Technology Co., Ltd. and its subsidiary Zouping Dingrui Renewable Resources Co., Ltd. The companies’ aluminium hot and cold rolled coil, foil stock, and can stock products are destined for use in a wide range of industries including food packaging, architectural decoration, and transportation. Consult the media release.
China Hongqiao Group Co., Ltd. has achieved ASI Performance Standard V2 (2017) Certification its subsidiary operation Yunnan Hongtai New Material Co., Ltd. The main processes of the facility include research and development, production and sales of liquid aluminium and aluminium ingots products. Consult the media release.
Aludium has achieved ASI Chain of Custody (CoC) Standard V1 (2017) Certification for its Alicante and Amorebieta (Spain) facilities. These facilities achieved ASI Performance Standard Certification in December 2019 and have recently been recertified. Consult the media release.
Golden Aluminum Inc. has achieved ASI Chain of Custody (CoC) Standard V1 (2017) Certification for its recycling-based aluminium rolling mill located in Fort Lupton, Colorado USA. The certification includes its proprietary block casting technology along with rolling, finishing and coil coating operations and associated processes and procedures. The facility achieved ASI Performance Standard Certification in June 2022. Consult the media release.
Ningbo Asiaway Automotive Components Co., Ltd. has achieved ASI Performance Standard V2 (2017) Certification for the production of Aluminium Die Casting Parts at its production plant in Ningbo City, Zhejiang Province, China. Consult the media release.
Mineração Rio do Norte (MRN) has achieved ASI Chain of Custody (CoC) Standard V1 (2017) Certification for the planning, mining, transport, processing, river shipment of Bauxite and power generation at the MRN facility in Porto Trombetas, Brazil. The facility achieved ASI Performance Standard V2 (2017) Certification in January 2022. Consult the media release.
In February, ASI welcomed six Production & Transformation members and two Downstream Supporter members bringing the total number of ASI members to 282.
Read more about our new members below, and for more information about ASI membership, please visit the Join ASI page on our website!
Watermark International Pty Ltd
Formed in 1999, with an emphasis on providing customised building and structural envelope solutions, allowing designers to freely express themselves with unlimited possibilities, under the brand SOLIDAL®... Read more.
"Producing and supplying sustainable aluminium base products is an integral part of Solidal’s commitment to its consumers and global society as a whole. Partnership with ASI will assist us to achieve our goal for a low carbon emission and this will give us the opportunity to work collaboratively towards a more sustainable aluminium production and distribution."
Commonwealth Rolled Products is a leader in the manufacture and sale of aluminum rolled products. Our 1200+ employee state-of-the-art aluminum rolling mill is located on a 1,300+ acre site... Read more.
“As a major supplier of rolled aluminum products, Commonwealth Rolled Products recognizes the need to continually pursue a more sustainable future. The Aluminium Stewardship Initiative helps drive responsible production standards for the aluminum industry alongside customers and a broad range of stakeholders."
– Rachel French, Quality Systems and Laboratories Manager
Mineradora Santo Expedito operates in mineral research and development, mining, processing and marketing of bauxite. With operations at the mine in Barro Alto, Goiás, and administrative headquarters in Goiânia... Read more.
“Becoming a member of the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative is seen as a natural choice of a company which has been born with the compromise of maintaining a sustainable relationship with the environment that surrounds us and the community that receive us."
– Reinaldo Noronha, CEO
Find more information on Mineradora Santo Expedito LTDA on their ASI Member page in the Production and Transformation Class.
Terra Goyana Mineradora LTDA.
TGM operates in mineral research and development, mining, processing and marketing of bauxite. It is one of the largest producers of bauxite in Brazil, responsible for 5.5% of national production.... Read more.
“Joining the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative is one of the most important steps that the company takes in our journey of continuous improvement considering the environmental, social and governance aspects of our operations."
– Reinaldo Noronha, CEO
Find more information on Terra Goyana Mineradora LTDA. on their ASI Member page in the Production & Transformation Class.
Deco Australia
DECO Australia is an Australian family-owned business and manufacturer of aluminium architectural building products and high-quality surface finishes. Launching into the architectural industry in 2004... Read more.
“DECO Australia is an innovative manufacturer of quality aluminium building products and protective finishes. At DECO we are continuously striving to better our business, and we seek actively to surround ourselves with partners that we can collaborate with to meet our collective sustainable development goals. Becoming an ASI member is an exciting opportunity as we continue to develop and pursue best practices for a more sustainable future for all."
– Richard Hamber, General Manager
Find more information on Deco Australia on their ASI Member page in the Downstream Supporters Class.
WARREN SCREW PRODUCTS, INC
Manufacturer of Engineered Aluminium Extrusions, turn machined and assembled metal components... Read more.
“As we continue to expand our capabilities in machining aluminium products and to support customer quality requirements, WSP management has determined that certification to the ASI Standard is in the best interest of our employees, our owner, our customers and our community."
– Stephen Kaspari, Vice President
Find more information on WARREN SCREW PRODUCTS, INC on their ASI Member page in the Production and Transformation Class.
Midal Cables
Midal Cables was founded in 1977 to manufacture aluminum rods, wires and overhead conductors for electrical transmission. From a very modest capacity of 15,000 metric tons of aluminum rods and a similar level of ability to create overhead conductors... Read more.
“Our mission is to position our manufacturing presence in close proximity to our global customers and provide superior quality products by implementing our global competitiveness, social responsibility, excellent customer care, innovative technology, and environmental sustainability. Joining ASI will help us to acquire and share best ESG practices and improvement opportunities across the aluminum sector and others."
– Kersi Master, Chief Executive Officer
Find more information on Midal Cables on their ASI Member page in the Production and Transformation Class.
HINDALCO INDUSTRIES LTD (ALUPURAM WORKS)
Alupuram Works is located in Ernakulum District of Kerala. The first extrusion press with a capacity of 1250 T was installed in 1955. The second extrusion press of capacity 3300 Tons was installed in 1961. With both the... Read more.
“Pioneer AL extrusion manufacturer “HINDALCO -ALUPURAM” recognizes ASI certification to promote continual improvement & collaboratively foster the responsible production, sourcing and stewardship of aluminium towards better environmental, social & governance impacts of AL production, use & recycling for enabling a sustainable planet. "
ASI Secretariat members regularly participate at events with virtual or in-person presentations. Additional details on dates, times, content and how to join the sessions will be published on our events page when they become available.
In August 2022, ASI was 
The 
China Hongqiao Group Co., Ltd. has achieved ASI Performance Standard V2 (2017) Certification for its subsidiary operation Binzhou Hongzhan Aluminium Technology Co., Ltd. The company’s activities focus on the research and development, production and sales of aluminium sheet, strip and foil, with an annual capacity of 50,000 tonnes. 
Aludium has achieved ASI Chain of Custody (CoC) Standard V1 (2017) Certification for its Alicante and Amorebieta (Spain) facilities. These facilities achieved ASI Performance Standard Certification in December 2019 and have recently been recertified. 
Formed in 1999, with an emphasis on providing customised building and structural envelope solutions, allowing designers to freely express themselves with unlimited possibilities, under the brand SOLIDAL®... 
Commonwealth Rolled Products is a leader in the manufacture and sale of aluminum rolled products. Our 1200+ employee state-of-the-art aluminum rolling mill is located on a 1,300+ acre site... 
Mineradora Santo Expedito operates in mineral research and development, mining, processing and marketing of bauxite. With operations at the mine in Barro Alto, Goiás, and administrative headquarters in Goiânia... 
TGM operates in mineral research and development, mining, processing and marketing of bauxite. It is one of the largest producers of bauxite in Brazil, responsible for 5.5% of national production.... 
DECO Australia is an Australian family-owned business and manufacturer of aluminium architectural building products and high-quality surface finishes. Launching into the architectural industry in 2004... 
Manufacturer of Engineered Aluminium Extrusions, turn machined and assembled metal components... 
Midal Cables was founded in 1977 to manufacture aluminum rods, wires and overhead conductors for electrical transmission. From a very modest capacity of 15,000 metric tons of aluminum rods and a similar level of ability to create overhead conductors... 
Alupuram Works is located in Ernakulum District of Kerala. The first extrusion press with a capacity of 1250 T was installed in 1955. The second extrusion press of capacity 3300 Tons was installed in 1961. With both the... 
