RUSAL, the world’s largest aluminum producer, highlighted its contributions to reducing carbon emissions both domestically and globally during the Carbon Digital Conference 2024, held on December 9-11.
global climate goals
The conference brought together pioneering experts from around the world to foster networking, exchange insights, and explore collaborative initiatives aimed at addressing the pressing challenges of the evolving carbon economy.
By highlighting regional expertise and fostering international dialogue, the event underscored the critical role of key markets like Indonesia in achieving global climate goals.
global carbon economy
With Indonesia's status as the world’s fourth most populous country, it represents a strategic growth market
As Southeast Asia’s largest economy and a pioneering emerging market globally, Indonesia holds a unique position in the global carbon economy.
With its status as the world’s fourth most populous country, it represents a strategic growth market for RUSAL, particularly in areas related to sustainable development, said Kevin Kong Wen Hao, Representative Director for Southeast Asia and Taiwan at RUSAL.
Low-Carbon Aluminium
RUSAL is the world’s largest producer of Low-Carbon aluminum, which tracks and certifies emissions of their Low-Carbon Aluminium “from cradle to gate,” including bauxite mining, alumina production, and raw material transportation.
Over 99% of the company’s production is powered by renewable energy.
Reducing Scope 3 emissions
In 2023, RUSAL produced 3,8 million tons of low-carbon aluminum, several times below the industry average for carbon footprint, as confirmed by independent certification.
This aluminum helps consumers worldwide track and reduce their Scope 3 emissions. This aligns with Indonesia’s climate policies and ambitious carbon reduction targets.
carbon neutrality by 2050
Key initiatives under its comprehensive environmental program include producing 600,000 electric vehicles
The Indonesian government aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 and cut net greenhouse gas emissions by 140 million tons of CO2 equivalent by 2030.
Key initiatives under its comprehensive environmental program include producing 600,000 electric vehicles and increasing battery manufacturing capacity to 140 GWh annually by 2030.
Low-carbon aluminum adoption
Globally, countries and companies aim to halve emissions by 2030 per the Paris Agreement. Additionally, ASEAN member states, including Indonesia, have set a target to increase renewable energy’s share to 23% by 2025.
In this context, noted the RUSAL representative, the consumer goods and automotive sectors are seen to be the first to adopt low-carbon aluminum. Market demand for such aluminum is projected to grow significantly through 2033.
lowering EV battery emissions
With aluminum accounting for over 30% of electric vehicle (EV) battery content, using low-carbon aluminum is vital for reducing Scope 3 emissions, potentially lowering total EV battery emissions by at least 13%.
In the automotive sector, RUSAL has also developed and successfully launched a new product, PeFA (Primary Equivalent Foundry Alloys), at several facilities. This product contains up to 30% recycled aluminum, fully meeting OEM standards and the latest industry requirements.
renewable energy sources
Using low-carbon aluminum can further reduce the carbon footprint of materials for such plants
RUSAL actively supports the transition to renewable energy sources, as aluminum is a key material for solar power plants. Using low-carbon aluminum can further reduce the carbon footprint of materials for such plants.
Kevin emphasized that RUSAL continues to innovate in production processes.
Replacing traditional carbon anodes
One of the most innovative solutions is replacing traditional carbon anodes with inert ones, which emit oxygen instead of carbon dioxide.
This process produces aluminum with less than 0.01 tons of CO2 per ton of aluminum and less than 2 tons of CO2 overall. Over the past three years, this method has produced more than 5,000 tons of aluminum.
ESG certification
Additionally, RUSAL has developed a climate project aimed at protecting forests from fires. In October 2024, the company took part in an international deal with its carbon units. The Arab investment fund, Equity International, acquired RUSAL's carbon units, which were issued in the Russian carbon unit registry.
Concluding his remarks, Kevin reiterated that RUSAL, a global pioneer in ESG certification and innovation aims to become a carbon-neutral company by 2050.
environment preservation
“Preserving the environment is one of RUSAL’s key priorities. We are proud to offer countries and companies, including such a large and economically developed market as Indonesia, the best innovative solutions and products to reduce carbon emissions worldwide and improve the ecology of our planet. We believe in the vast, mutually beneficial prospects of our partnership."
"Sustainable development requires new and effective approaches to address humanity’s diverse challenges, which are deeply intertwined with environmental issues. We also believe that our joint efforts in this direction will benefit the entire world,” concluded Kevin.
