Previously, the plants were certified – now the metal itself has received its certification from ASI. This means that Hydro can now go to market with aluminum that is ASI certified throughout the value chain, from bauxite mine to end-product.

“This ASI Chain of Custody certification marks a crucial milestone in Hydro’s commitment to certify that aluminum our customers buy from Hydro is manufactured according to industry-leading standards of responsibility and sustainability," says Eivind Kallevik, Executive Vice-President for Primary Metal in Hydro.

Hydro now has the longest unbroken chain of ASI certifications in the industry, from mining through refining and primary aluminum production to fabrication of end products. A total of 16 Hydro plants in six countries have so far been ASI certified, and several more are in the process of obtaining certification.

Hydro's remelter Clervaux in Luxembourg and the primary aluminum plants Sunndal, Karmøy, Årdal and Høyanger in Norway are the operations that today obtained certification of their metal products according to ASI's Chain of Custody standard.

“We believe it will be of increasing commercial value to offer responsibly and sustainably manufactured aluminum. With a low carbon footprint from our high share of renewable energy and low emissions from production, and now a confirmation that we produce aluminum according to industry-leading sustainability standards throughout the entire value chain, we are seeking a competitive advantage towards demanding customers in the international automotive and construction industries who are increasingly concerned how the materials they use have been created,” says Kallevik.

The independent, third-party audits of the Primary Metal operations were carried out by DNV GL.

ASI Certification process

The Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI) is a global, multi-stakeholder, non-profit standards setting and certification organization. It works toward responsible production, sourcing and stewardship of aluminium following an entire value chain approach. ASI’s Standards apply throughout the supply chain, from mining through to downstream sectors that use aluminium in their products. ASI launched its Performance Standard and Chain of Custody Standard in December 2017.

The ASI CoC Standard sets out requirements for the creation of a Chain of Custody for material that is produced and processed through the value chain into diverse downstream sectors. The implementation of ASI’s CoC Standard links verified practices at successive steps of the supply chain – certified under the ASI Performance Standard – to the products produced by ASI Certified Entities.