Novelis Pioneers Hydrogen-Powered Aluminium Recycling in the UK
Key Ideas
  • Novelis in the UK successfully tested hydrogen to power an aluminium recycling furnace, blending hydrogen with natural gas in various ratios.
  • The trial at the Warrington plant aimed to assess the impact on infrastructure, equipment, product quality, emissions, and operational processes.
  • Investment of £4.6m from the UK Government's Net Zero Innovation Portfolio supported the trial, with plans to expand hydrogen-powered recycling across Europe.
  • Additionally, Novelis will invest $90m to increase its UBC recycling capacity, contributing to significant CO2e reductions in Novelis Europe's operations.
Novelis, a UK-based company, has conducted successful trials using hydrogen to power an aluminium recycling furnace at its Warrington plant. The tests involved blending hydrogen with natural gas in varying proportions to evaluate its compatibility with existing infrastructure. Hundreds of tonnes of scrap aluminium were recycled, and various parameters were measured to assess the impact on the product and emissions. This initiative, supported by a £4.6m grant from the UK Government, aims to explore the feasibility of hydrogen-powered recycling in Novelis' European plants. The company plans to release a post-trial evaluation report by 2025. The use of hydrogen in aluminium recycling is considered pioneering, with plans for further research into global deployment. Furthermore, Novelis is investing $90m to double its UBC recycling capacity, significantly reducing CO2e emissions. The aluminium industry is increasingly focusing on sustainability, with a shift towards renewable sources like hydrogen for production. Aluminium recycling plays a crucial role in energy conservation, with up to 95% energy savings compared to primary production. This shift highlights the industry's commitment to reducing carbon footprint and embracing innovative solutions for a more sustainable future.
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