Novelis, global producer of aluminum rolled products, has announced a $106 million investment that will add 100,000 metric tons of coating capacity and 190,000 metric tons of recycling capacity at its Pindamonhangaba facility in São Paulo, Brazil.
The new coating line is designed specifically for beverage can end stock, the company says. The addition of this 100,000 ton line will double the market's capacity to supply coated can end stock and enable Novelis to deliver directly to can customers in the region, a function previously provided by a third-party partner. Novelis expects to begin shipping commercial product from the new line in the coming months.
The investment in the recycling center supports the company's long-term commitment to increasing the recycled content in its products to 80 percent by 2020. With this expansion, the plant's recycling center — already the largest in South America — will nearly double its capacity from 200,000 to 390,000 metric tons per year when fully commissioned later this year.
In 2008, the Aluminum Association launched an industry-wide effort to increase the U.S. recycling rate for used aluminum beverage cans from 54 percent to 75 percent by 2015. To achieve its recycling target, the Aluminum Association said it would work to increase public education, grow the recycling infrastructure, and explore new policy initiatives.
The U.S. aluminum industry's recycling rate peaked at 68 percent in 1992, but in the following years declined to as low as 50 percent. The Aluminum Association said that, by working with legislators to make it easier for consumers to recycle, there is the potential to reduce the over 50 billion aluminum cans that end up in landfills each year.
In April, Novelis launched the world's first commercial use of evercan™, the company's independently-certified high-recycled content aluminum sheet for beverage cans. Red Hare Brewing Company selected Novelis’ evercan aluminum as part of its commitment to reduce the company's environmental footprint. In May, the company’s craft beer began being packaged exclusively in cans made of Novelis' evercan aluminum sheet – made of a minimum 90 percent recycled content.
Get the latest insights, trends, and innovations to help position yourself at the forefront of sustainable business leadership—delivered straight to your inbox.
Founder, Hower Impact
Mike Hower is the founder of Hower Impact — a boutique consultancy delivering strategic communication advisory and support for corporate sustainability, ESG and climate tech.
Published Aug 19, 2014 9pm EDT / 6pm PDT / 2am BST / 3am CEST