How can downstream demand for aluminium drive upstream ASI engagement and Certification – and who benefits?
Asking for ASI Certification expands the certified supply network. Asking for and purchasing ASI Aluminium puts that network to use. Together, the two actions can strengthen responsible aluminium supply at scale.
22 September 2026
Downstream companies can play an important role in expanding responsible aluminium supply – while gaining greater assurance about the aluminium they buy. By encouraging suppliers to engage with ASI and pursue Certification, and by actively asking certified suppliers for ASI Aluminium, companies can support their own responsible sourcing, due diligence and sustainability objectives while helping drive impact beyond their individual supply chains.
Two sides of downstream pull
Growing the flow of ASI Aluminium at scale requires two things: a connected network of certified suppliers and customer demand for the certified material that network can provide.
Where suppliers are not yet certified, downstream customers can encourage them to engage with ASI and pursue Certification, expanding the network through which ASI Aluminium can flow. Where suppliers are already CoC Certified, customers can ask them to supply ASI Aluminium, putting that network to use.
ASI Certification creates the capacity. Downstream demand drives the flow.
Certification does not by itself ensure that eligible material will be purchased as CoC Material. Without sufficient demand, available material may ultimately be sold without its CoC status. Over time, lack of customer demand can also contribute to attrition from assurance programmes – like any business investment, suppliers want to know that customers value their efforts to implement responsible practices through standards.
Why should downstream companies act?
ASI Certification provides a common, independently audited framework across the aluminium value chain, helping downstream companies gain greater visibility and confidence beyond their direct supplier relationships. It can support responsible sourcing, due diligence and risk management, as well as wider objectives relating to climate, nature and circularity.
There is also potential for a multiplier effect. Thousands of companies use aluminium downstream, while the number of actors becomes progressively smaller further upstream. Demand from many downstream users can therefore converge on a smaller pool of suppliers, strengthening the commercial signal for ASI Certification and ASI Aluminium. Increased certified production upstream can, in turn, serve many downstream supply chains.
This is why both sides of downstream pull matter. Expanding the certified supplier network creates more opportunities for ASI Aluminium to flow, while customers actively asking for ASI Aluminium give suppliers a commercial reason to source and sell material through the CoC system. Together, these actions can help translate certified capacity into responsible aluminium supply at greater scale.
Some examples
ASI Members are taking different approaches. Audi has made CoC Certification mandatory for its flat-sheet suppliers. Ball Corporation encourages its aluminium suppliers to become ASI Members and pursue Certification while also increasing its own uptake of ASI Aluminium – from 27% of aluminium purchased in 2024 to 34% in 2025. Tetra Pak is working with suppliers and ASI towards Certification of upstream alumina refining and bauxite mining operations as part of its nature targets.
Suppliers stand to benefit too. Certification can strengthen sustainability performance and risk management, build customer trust, support market access and provide an independently assured way of demonstrating responsible practices. Growing customer demand for ASI Aluminium also strengthens the commercial value of becoming certified and maintaining CoC Material flows.
Start the conversation
Ask your suppliers: Are you an ASI Member? Are your operations ASI Certified? Do you hold CoC Certification? Can you supply ASI Aluminium?
If they are not certified, start the conversation about ASI engagement and Certification. If they are CoC Certified, ask for ASI Aluminium.
Asking for ASI Certification expands the certified supply network. Asking for and purchasing ASI Aluminium puts that network to use. Together, the two actions can strengthen responsible aluminium supply at scale.
Are you using your supplier relationships to drive greater uptake of ASI Certification or ASI Aluminium? We’d like to hear from you and explore profiling your example.
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