Collaboration for change: How ASI’s Circularity Working Group advanced aluminium circularity in 2024
The Circularity Working Group (CWG) made significant progress in 2024, addressing critical challenges and promoting sustainability across the aluminium value chain.
9 December 2024
Throughout the year, the group held 11 meetings, creating opportunities for stakeholders from across the aluminium value chain to come together and address important challenges, both upstream and downstream. The CWG played an important role in:
- Providing a platform for participants from different parts of the industry to share, discuss, and improve ideas. These open discussions facilitated a better understanding of the complex connections within the aluminium value chain.
- Proactively identifying challenges and opportunities, helping the industry prepare for the future. While this forward-thinking approach is valuable, putting these ideas into practice remains a complex and ongoing task.
- By bringing together experts from different fields, the CWG created a collaborative environment where members could learn from one another.
Key discussions and outcomes
In 2024, the CWG addressed a variety of topics. These ranged from improving resource efficiency and waste management practices in bauxite mining and refining, to enhancing the circularity of aluminium in sectors like packaging and automotive manufacturing.
An important outcome this year was the Circular Product Design concept paper. This paper serves as a guideline aiming to influence future product development towards sustainability. Another concept paper on the circularity approach to Mine Closure and Rehabilitation will be released soon. Additionally, the CWG contributed feedback to ISO’s new circular economy standards and provided insights to the ASI Standards Committee. The direct impact of these contributions will be seen over time.
Looking ahead to 2025
The contributions of CWG members throughout 2024 have been essential in navigating the complexities of circularity within the aluminium industry. Their commitment lays the groundwork for continuing the discussions and taking further steps, but achieving fully sustainable practices will take time, focused efforts and the ability to adapt.
The CWG will continue its role as a sounding board during the revision process of the current Performance Standard, Chain of Custody Standard, and related ASI claims launching in March 2025. The group will review draft standards to ensure practicality and clarity, benchmark ASI Standards against other frameworks to spot strengths and improvement areas and broaden the range of viewpoints to better understand the risks and opportunities that could impact the industry’s circularity efforts. This focused approach is vital as we prepare for significant updates to our Standards, with the next versions expected in early 2027.
We express our sincere appreciation to all the CWG participants for their engagement and efforts during 2024. As we prepare for 2025, we aim to build on the lessons learned this year, enhancing our approach to meet the challenges ahead. We look forward to continuing this important work to enhance circularity practices across the industry next year.
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