ASI News - July 2023

Finance and investment sector update: ASI’s engagement with ICMA

As part of our finance and investment sector engagement work, ASI is an observer member of the International Capital Market Association (ICMA). ICMA serves as Secretariat to the Green, Social, Sustainability and Sustainability-Linked Bond Principles, a key contribution to their sustainable finance initiatives.

In June, ICMA released updated editions of 1) the Climate Transition Finance Handbook (CTFH), 2) the Sustainability-Linked Bond Principles and 3) the Key Performance Indicator (KPI) registry. ASI participated in working groups on these updates.

The release of these materials followed the ICMA AGM and Conference in May, attended by around 1,200 senior capital market representatives and industry leaders, along with public sector officials, regulators and academics.

ASI continues its engagement with ICMA to support close co-operation between key finance and investment sector stakeholders. Collaboration among investors, borrowers/issuers, third party framework and methodology developers and verifiers and local communities is needed to accelerate progress in the financing of ESG improvements while ensuring all needs are met.

>> Find out more details on the updated ICMA sustainability financing guidance documents and key takeaways from ICMA’s 2023 AGM and Conference in the full article. 

Recycled content and the ASI Standards: Laying out ASI's approach

As discussions on “Recycled Content” continue to grow in scale and intensity in various fora, it is important to clarify how this term is treated in ASI’s Performance and Chain of Custody Standards. Currently, ASI does not have a criterion for calculation of product recycled content within either of its Standards. This article aims to explain why not.

The issues involved in the calculation of product recycled content are complex and interconnected, as are the very systems and cycles examined under the circular economy, and ASI has not determined a standardised approach. In the last revision to the Chain of Custody (CoC) Standard, criterion 9.3 was updated to allow Entities to include recycled content values in ASI Documentation for given ASI Aluminium shipments as an optional component, along with the method used to calculate the value.  ASI takes no position on the appropriateness of different recycled content methods, but it does demand transparency of the method followed.

>> Read more about ASI’s approach on the inclusion of recycled content in ASI's Performance and Chain of Custody Standards in the full article. 

August special communications focus: ASI Celebrates the UN International Day for the World's Indigenous Peoples 

Inspired by the UN’s International Day for the World's Indigenous Peoples on August 9, ASI has planned a month of highlights of its work with Indigenous and local communities in collaboration with IPAF (Indigenous Peoples Advisory Forum). Throughout August, ASI is hosting a series of online events and publishing content to showcase the outcomes and ongoing projects in this space.
 
The focus month kicks off on August 2 with a 45 Minutes on… webinar featuring Mark Annandale (IPAF Advisor), providing an overview of IPAF's work, recent outcomes, ongoing projects, and a glimpse of what's coming up in the month ahead.
 
Each week of August, we will share stories on our website and social media covering projects involving different Indigenous communities worldwide, including the Sami in Norway, Adivasi in India, local communities in Guinea, Indigenous communities in Ghana and Australia, and the Indigenous communities in Suriname.
 
On August 17, a 45 Minutes on webinar... with Dr Penda Diallo (ASI Qualitative Research Manager) will focus on the outcomes of a research project in Guinea: “Understanding the perception of local and rural communities in bauxite mining regions in Guinea”. The session will also feature Mark Annandale (IPAF Advisor), Houdy Bah (IPAF Representative) and Mamadou Billo Bah (Community of Hamdalaye Representative) who will provide insights into the research findings and feedback from communities.
 
Relevant and related content will also be published in our August Member Update and Public Newsletter, with additional 45 Minutes on.. webinars being prepared for September. Be sure to stay tuned for our August focus on ASI’s work with Indigenous and local communities in the coming weeks! 

Advancing circularity in the aluminium value chain: Insights from the inaugural Circularity Working Group meeting 

ASI is working to support the adoption of circular economy principles in the aluminium value chain. This commitment aligns with our pursuit to mitigate environmental impacts, optimise resource use, and enhance industry sustainability. To this end, the Circularity Working Group (CWG) convened for its inaugural meeting on July 19, 2023.
 
The meeting laid the groundwork for a structured and targeted approach to advancing circularity in industries and waste streams, recognising the significance of collaboration and standardised metrics for measuring progress. ASI Performance Standard Principle 4: Material Stewardship was highlighted as the focus of the Group’s mandate.
 
>> Read more details on the discussions of the inaugural CWG meeting in the full article. 

Register now for THREE upcoming 45 Minutes on... webinars

To better understand the context of bauxite mining in Guinea and the perceptions of local and rural communities, ASI Qualitative Research Manager, Dr Penda Diallo undertook field research in Guinea’s Kindia and Boké areas between April and June, 2022.

The research titled "Understanding the perception of Local and rural communities in bauxite mining regions: A compilation of research results from Guinea" was completed in April 2023. The research benefited from the support of various stakeholders. An essential part of the research included disseminating the results to the local communities (June-July 2023) for their feedback before broader dissemination.

Join a conversation with Dr Penda Diallo (Qualitative Research Manager), Mark Annandale (IPAF Advisor), Houdy Bah (IPAF Representative), and Mamadou Billo Bah (Community of Hamdalaye Representative) to gain insights into the research findings and feedback from communities.

The conversation will be held in English and in French.

Date: August 17, 2023
Time: 11:00 AM Conakry • 12:00 PM London • 9 PM Melbourne

Register now! 

Date: 17 août 2023
Heure : 11h00 à Conakry • 12h00 à Londres • 21h00 à Melbourne

Inscrivez-vous dès maintenant ! 

Watch now: 45 minutes on... webinar recordings

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.

• Circularity Assessment: Enhancing Efficiency in the Circular Economy (June 2023)
• Aluminium Supply Chain Traceability with RMI (March 2023)
• 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)

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ASI CERTIFICATION NEWS

In July, ASI Members achieved 7 new certifications, with several more in the announcement pipeline. 

1. Fusão Ligas Comércio e Indústria Ltda. (Fusão Ligas) has achieved ASI Performance Standard V2 (2017) Certification at its production unit at João Monlevade, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Consult the media release.
    
2. Sohar Aluminium Company LLC (Sohar Aluminium) has achieved ASI Performance Standard V2 (2017) Certification with Provisional status for its Sohar Aluminium smelting and casthouse facility, located near Sohar, Oman. Consult the media release.
    
3. SuperAlloy Industrial Co., Ltd. (SAI) has achieved ASI Performance Standard V3 (2022) Certification for the engineering and manufacturing of lightweight metal products at its facility in Douliu City, Taiwan. Consult the media release.
    
4. Crown Holdings, Inc. has achieved two ASI Performance Standard V2 (2017) Certifications for its manufacturing facilities in Nong Khae District, Thailand. Consult the media release.
    
5. Leichtmetall Aluminium Giesserei Hannover GmbH has achieved ASI Performance Standard V2 (2017) Certification for its remelting, casting and semi-fabrication operation in Hannover, Germany. Consult the media release.
    
6. REAL ALLOY has achieved ASI Performance Standard V2 (2017) certification for the recycling of aluminium scrap and production of wrought and foundry alloys at 11 production facilities located in Canada, the United States of America and Mexico, plus central strategic and administrative functions at their headquarters in Beachwood, Ohio, USA. Consult the media release.

ASI MEMBERSHIP NEWS 

LSKB Aluminium Foils Pvt. Ltd.

LSKB Aluminium Foils Pvt. Ltd. is a leading manufacturer of high quality aluminium foils, catering to various industries, including food packaging, pharmaceuticals and household products. Established in year 2018, the company has grown to become... Read more.

We have opted for ASI to demonstrate our company’s commitment to responsible production practices, including social, environmental and governance aspects. ASI Certification will ensure that the products we produce are sustainable and responsible from the acquisition of aluminium as a raw material to the production of the final products. Secondly, the certification provides a competitive advantage, as more consumers and stakeholders are seeking products that are responsibly sourced and produced.

– Mr. Manjoj Singhal, Director

Find more information on LSKB Aluminium Foils Pvt. Ltd. on their ASI Member page in the Production and Transformation Class.

Miranda Bike Parts

Miranda Bike Parts is a pioneering bicycle component manufacturer with a strong commitment to sustainability and innovation. Harnessing the latest industry technologies, Miranda optimizes its production processes within a state-of-the-art factory located in Portugal, to create durable, lightweight, and performance-driven components for bicycles. The company’s commitment... Read more.

As a leading figure in the European market, Miranda aims to meet and exceed customer expectations while maintaining sustainable practices. Adhering to the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative’s principles, Miranda strives to minimize its environmental impact, promoting responsible and sustainable aluminium use in the cycling industry.

– João Filipe Miranda, Chief Marketing Officer​

Find more information on Miranda Bike Parts on their ASI Member page in the Industrial Users Class.

Chongqing Millison Technologies Inc.

Chongqing Millison Technologies Inc., founded in May 2001. With cutting-edge intelligent mould tooling design and manufacture, HPDC casting cells, high-precision CNC machining centers, RBC automatic filling line, automatic powder coating lines and a top quality-assurance system, Millison is running at over 80,000 tons of annual capacity in large, complex and high-precision castings. In April 2023, Millison became...Read more.

Our mission is to create a wonderful lifestyle with good communication and low-carbon. Our vision is an aluminium die casting company, where professionalism, an internationalism and top-notch orientation makes us excellent and much more competitive.

– Mr. Arthur Yu, President

Find more information on Chongqing Millison Technologies Inc. on their ASI Member page in the Production and Transformation Class.

Bocar Group

Ever since the firm was founded more than 60 years ago, our philosophy has been to deliver high quality and innovative products that challenge the limits of technology and expertise in the industry. We are both a development partner and full-service supplier capable of producing aluminium or plastic series products with specific requirements. Our ongoing investment in high-end technology...Read more.

Bocar Group, through its sustainability strategy, has the firm intention that the commitment to environmental matters must permeate all areas, demonstrating commitment in the different areas of its operation, including the aluminum supply chain, since it is part of our daily operation. Our commitment is to always collaborate for the benefit of our planet, our communities, our customers and our employees; complying with applicable legal and customer requirements.

– Pablo Rivera, HSE Specialist

Find more information on Bocar Group on their ASI Member page in the Production and Transformation Class.

UPCOMING EVENTS 

Upcoming ASI Secretariat event participation

ASI Secretariat members regularly participate at events with in-person or virtual presentations. Additional details on dates, times, content and how to join the sessions are published on our events page as soon as they are available. 

• ASI CEO Fiona Solomon will speak at the "Workshop on the Just Transition, Indigenous Peoples and Critical Minerals", hosted by the Centre for Governance and Public Policy, Griffith University, Brisbane, Australia. 1-2 August, 2023.
   
• ASI’s Director of Standards, Chris Bayliss will be delivering a presentation at the UK Metals Expo, "1.5 Degree Aligned Emissions Pathways for the Aluminium Value Chain." 14 September, 2023 from 10:30am-10:55am. More information.

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