Brazil: aluminium recycling boost for Novelis

Brazil – Aluminium converter Novelis will invest US$ 32 million to expand recycling capacity at its aluminium rolling and recycling complex in Pindamonhangaba, Brazil. This adds to a US$ 300-million rolling mill expansion currently under way at the plant and a further US$ 30 million invested over the past two years towards expanding recycling capacity and establishing a network of used can collection centres within the country.

‘These back-to-back investments totalling more than US$ 360 million respond to two major strategic initiatives for Novelis – expand our production capacity in emerging global markets and reduce our carbon footprint through increased recycling,’ says Phil Martens, President and Chief Executive Officer. ‘We recently established an ambitious goal to increase the recycled content of our products to 80% by 2020 from the current 33% and investments such as this are an important part of our plan to get there.’

The latest expansion announcement covers a state-of-the-art recycling line that will increase the plant’s capacity to recycle used beverage cans and other aluminium scrap from 200 000 tonnes per year to 390 000 tonnes per year. Expected to come on stream in late 2013, the new line will help to ensure metal supply for the plant’s rolling mills while reducing operating costs and delivering environmental benefits.