ASI strengthens partnerships and engagement across China’s aluminium value chain

30 July 2026

China is the world’s largest producer and consumer of aluminium, making it central to the global industry’s transition towards responsible production, decarbonisation and circularity. As sustainability expectations continue to evolve across international markets, strengthening engagement with Chinese stakeholders is increasingly important in advancing globally recognised approaches to responsible sourcing and sustainability standards.

In July, ASI participated in an extensive programme of stakeholder engagement across China, including participation in major industry events, technical workshops, speaking engagements and meetings with Members, prospective Members, downstream manufacturers, certification and auditing firms, as well as low-carbon service providers and industry organisations. Spanning Shanghai, Anhui Province, Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei Province and Inner Mongolia, the programme reflected ASI’s commitment to working collaboratively with stakeholders throughout the aluminium value chain to support practical sustainability outcomes and strengthen international cooperation.

Bringing stakeholders together

The programme commenced at ALUMINIUM CHINA 2026, one of the industry’s leading international exhibitions, providing opportunities to engage with existing Members, prospective Members and organisations from across the aluminium value chain. Alongside the exhibition, ASI participated in several high-profile industry forums addressing topics including responsible sourcing, recycling, low-carbon aluminium and sustainable development.

A central element of the programme was the 2026 International Aluminium Supply Chain Workshop on Green, Low-Carbon and Circularity, organised by the International Aluminium Institute (IAI) with ASI invited to present on several topics. Bringing together around 300 participants from across industry, the workshop explored practical approaches to responsible sourcing, greenhouse gas accounting, circularity, sustainability standards and evolving market expectations. ASI contributed perspectives on the role of internationally recognised standards, independent assurance and transparent methodologies in building confidence in low-carbon aluminium supply chains. Read more about the workshop content and outcomes.

Engaging across the value chain

Beyond participation and speaking engagements at conferences and exhibitions, ASI met with a wide range of organisations representing different parts of the aluminium value chain,  including existing Members and prospective Members, aluminium producers, automotive manufacturers and downstream companies.

Meetings with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), including Chery, NIO, Polestar and Mercedes, focused on the growing importance of responsible production and responsible sourcing. These discussions highlighted the increasingly influential role that downstream manufacturers can play in encouraging responsible practices throughout global supply chains, creating demand for credible sustainability information and supporting continual improvement across the industry.

The programme also included engagement with numerous aluminium producers and processors, providing opportunities to discuss sustainability priorities, certification and evolving market expectations with organisations across China’s aluminium sector. Throughout these conversations, participants recognised the contribution that ASI has made in supporting responsible and sustainable practices, while expressing a strong willingness to continue collaborating on future initiatives.

Strengthening partnerships

Alongside engagement with companies, ASI held discussions with key organisations including the China Nonferrous Metals Industry Association (CNIA) and the China Green Metal Certification Center (CGMC). These conversations explored opportunities to deepen collaboration, strengthen alignment and support shared objectives for responsible production and sustainability across the aluminium industry.

The engagement programme also demonstrated the value of ASI’s growing presence in China. Extensive collaboration with local colleagues enabled meetings, workshops and technical discussions to be delivered in both English and Chinese, supporting broader participation and more effective dialogue between international and Chinese stakeholders. The successful delivery of the Shanghai workshop, for example, was supported by AI-assisted simultaneous translation, which made technical discussions more accessible to a wider audience.

Key takeaways

Across every stage of the programme, a consistent message emerged: sustainability is increasingly recognised not simply as a compliance requirement, but as a strategic business priority. Organisations across the aluminium value chain acknowledged the growing importance of internationally recognised standards, responsible sourcing and transparent sustainability information in responding to evolving customer expectations and regulatory developments.

For ASI, the programme reinforced the importance of sustained engagement in one of the world’s most significant aluminium markets. By bringing together industry dialogue, technical collaboration and stakeholder engagement, ASI continues to support practical pathways towards responsible production, credible sustainability claims and more resilient, low-carbon and circular aluminium value chains.

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