European value-added aluminium firm Constellium NV said this week that it is joining the global carbon-reduction initiative First Movers Coalition (FMC) as part of its pledge to cut its own carbon production in the coming years.
The FMC, which is a global initiative backed by the United States government and the World Economic Forum, is made up of over 50 companies that are working together to reduce carbon emissions from sectors in which such cuts are extremely challenging.
As part of membership in FMC, Constellium commits to making ten percent of its purchases near-zero emissions, which will emit less than 3 tons of carbon dioxide for every ton of aluminium produced. Constellium also commits to making recycled aluminium at least half of all aluminium it uses by the end of this decade.
Jean-Marc Germain, CEO of Constellium, said in a press release that his firm is excited to be part of the coalition.
“We are proud to join the First Movers Coalition and to contribute to a faster decarbonization journey for the industry. Aluminium is fully and easily recyclable, and nearly 75% of all aluminium ever produced is still in use today. The aluminium industry has a great role to play to promote the circular economy of tomorrow, and we are excited to further leverage our sustainability actions with this global program. We are committed to do our part in the fight against climate change, and to collaborate across the value-chain to help drive the low-carbon transition.”
Nancy Gillis, Programme Head of the First Movers Coalition, World Economic Forum, was equally ecstatic to have Constellium as part of the FMC.
“Constellium’s impact across the value chain makes the company a tremendous addition to the First Movers Coalition. We look forward to partnering with Constellium to encourage clean energy innovation and move the aluminium industry toward a zero-carbon future.”
Constellium, based in France, was founded 1855 as Henri Merle et Compagnie and subsequently renamed Pechiney in 1950. Pechiney was purchased by Alcan in 2003, which was purchased by Rio Tinto in 2007. In 2011 Rio Tinto sold Alcan Engineered Products to Apollo Management (51%) and FSI (10%). Constellium produces rolled and extruded aluminium products from various alloys, bringing in €6.2 billion of revenue in 2021.