More than a piece of paper

Capral has continued its push to improve the quality of the aluminium it is sending to market, announcing it has received certification from the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI) for the manufacturing of aluminium extruded products.

Environmental concerns and Chain of Custody considerations are front of mind for the manufacturing sector and Capral has been working overtime to meet the best in industry standards.

Recently it achieved ASI performance standard V3 (2022) and Chain of Custody (CoC) standard V2 (2022) certification. These certifications recognise Capral’s commitment to responsible production, sourcing, and management of aluminium products.

The ASI Certification program was developed through an extensive multi-stakeholder consultation process and is the only comprehensive voluntary sustainability standard initiative for the aluminium value chain. The ASI Performance Standard V3 and ASI CoC Standard V2 were launched in May 2022 following a multi-year revision process.

Capral’s CEO Tony Dragicevich spoke about the importance of achieving ASI’s certification for Capral and, by extension, its customers.

“As buyers become increasingly conscious of the environmental impact of products, Capral’s ASI certification is a significant achievement and reinforces our position as a responsible and sustainable business,” he commented.

“It has been a difficult journey; these standards set high benchmarks and are assessed rigorously by third-party auditors,” Dragicevich said.

“We can proudly hang our hat on the fact that we are the first Australasian aluminium extruder to achieve certification under the ASI Performance and Chain of Custody standards. Our management systems developed over many years helped us achieve this in less than twelve months – a phenomenal effort by our team.”

The ASI Performance Standard centres around 11 principles assessed using 62 criteria with a focus on three sustainability pillars which include environment, social and governance standards. The aim of the voluntary program is to address pressing sustainability issues in the aluminium value chain.

The Performance Standard creates more accountability for users around biodiversity, indigenous people’s rights, circularity, and greenhouse gas emissions.

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.

The CoC Standard also confirms that appropriate policies and due diligence processes are in place to identify and address critical issues, such as corruption, human rights abuses, materials originating from conflict- affected and high-risk areas in the supply chain, and support responsible sourcing.

The certifications apply to all of Capral’s 26 facilities, composed of mills, distribution centres and trade centres, across Australia. Capral Aluminium is the first extruded product manufacturer in Australasia to achieve ASI Certification.

ASI’s Standards apply throughout the supply chain, from bauxite mining through to downstream sectors that use Capral’s aluminium in their products.

After the release of Capral’s LocAl low carbon option for Australian Manufacturers, Capral can now provide ASI Chain of Custody association with these products allowing Manufacturers transparency and a clear process to show the quality of the aluminium used in products.

The general manager of industrial and procurement Luke Hawkins spoke about what the ASI certification will mean for Capral’s manufacturing clients.

“We view our ASI certification as an opportunity for our customers; it makes it possible for them to communicate with confidence to their clients about the origins of the aluminium they are purchasing,” he said.

“It allows them to choose certified material for their projects supporting their business sustainability initiatives.”

Fiona Solomon is the CEO at ASI and she delved further into the certificate and what it means for Capral and aluminium suppliers globally.

“For companies like Capral that are in the downstream part of the aluminium value chain, traceability is critical for identification of potential environmental and social risks, which enhances accountability and helps to identify any non-compliance or unethical practices associated with the upstream supply chain,” Solomon said.

“Capral’s ASI Certifications demonstrate that it supports responsible sourcing, transparency, and accountability in its own operations along the entire aluminium value chain.”

The certification is just another step for Capral along the process of becoming a greener and more environmentally conscious company.

In early 2022 Capral committed to net zero by 2050 and then shortly after Capral joined the ASI initiative. The end of 2022 saw the arrival of Capral’s low carbon option.

The company has implemented various sustainability initiatives, including energy efficiency measures, waste reduction programs, and material recycling. Capral also works closely with its suppliers to ensure they meet the same high standards for sustainability. These initiatives have allowed Capral to reduce its environmental impact and improve its operational efficiency.

As the demand for sustainable products continues to grow, the ASI certification is likely to become increasingly important for companies across the aluminium value chain. Capral’s certification is just the beginning of a new era of responsible and sustainable aluminium production.

Marc Banks, group ESG and risk manager, added that it is important to recognise the scale of this achievement.

“We certainly won’t stop here; we have set ambitious targets to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions by 30 per cent by 2030 and source 50 per cent of our electricity from renewable sources by 2025. and we are committed to making more lower carbon aluminium products available to the Australian market.”

ASI has more than290 members, include leading civil society organisations; companies with activities in bauxite mining, alumina refining, aluminium smelting, semi-fabrication, product and component manufacturing, as well as consumer and commercial goods, including the automotive, construction and packaging industries; industry associations and other supporters.