Novelis is a global leader in the production of innovative aluminium products and solutions and the world’s largest recycler of aluminium. As such, the copany produces innovative, high-quality aluminium products for industries such as automotive, beverage packaging, aerospace, and specialties. With advanced recycling facilities and state-of-the-art rolling mills, Novelis delivers aluminium that reduces carbon footprints and enhances circularity.
The company prioritizes sustainability through closed-loop recycling partnerships and innovative R&D, striving to create a more sustainable future for customers and communities worldwide. With more than 13,000 employees, Novelis operates an integrated network across North America, South America, Europe and Asia and had net sales of $16.2 billion in the fiscal year 2024. Novelis Europe, a key division of the global organization, supports the region´s growing demand for lightweight, low-carbon, sustainable aluminium solutions.
Interview with Emilio Braghi, Executive Vice President, Novelis & President, Novelis Europe.
What are the main areas of activity of the company?
Emilio Braghi: Novelis produces durable aluminium sheet and plate solutions tailored to industry needs. It is the company’s vision to advance aluminium as the material of choice with circular solutions. Its recycling operations are central, reducing energy and greenhouse gas emissions to an enormous extent of up to 95% by processing recycled aluminium into new products compared to primary aluminium production. In fiscal year 2024, Novelis continued to increase the use of recycled content in its global product range reaching an average of 63%. Recently, Novelis introduced its 3×30 Vision, a transformative strategy aimed at achieving 75% recycled content across product range, becoming the lowest carbon-emitting producer of flat-rolled aluminium products with less than 3 tonnes of CO2 emissions per ton of flat-rolled aluminium shipped, and continuing to advance circularity through first-mover investments by 2030.
What’s the news about new products/services?
E.B: The company leads with innovative product solutions with increased high-recycled content that continue to meet the constantly evolving material property needs of our customers as well as their environmental targets. Novelis is the world’s largest supplier of aluminium sheet to the automotive industry. In FY24, the average recycled content in the automotive product portfolio in Europe was approximately 60%, with commercially available options already achieving up to 85% recycled content and generating less than 2 tonnes of CO₂ per tonne of finished product.
Furthermore, Novelis is the world’s largest producer of aluminium beverage can sheet and the leading recycler of used beverage cans (UBCs), annually recycling over 80 billion UBCs. As of CY23, the material provided by Novelis for manufacturing beverage cans consists of 88% recycled content on average, with the company already offering an alloy to the industry featuring a guaranteed recycled content of up to 99%.
What are the ranges of products/services?
E.B: Novelis Automotive portfolio includes lightweight, high-strength alloys for structural frames, hoods, doors, lift gates, and fenders. In Beverage Packaging, Novelis is the largest producer of aluminium beverage can sheet and recycles over 80 billion used beverage cans annually. The Specialties division delivers premium, high-recycled content aluminium for food packaging, industrial goods, construction, transportation, and signage. For Aerospace, Novelis supplies precision aluminium sheets and plates for fuselage and wing structure, offering customized and pre-machined formats to meet specific industry standards.
What is the state of the market where you are currently active?
E.B: The European aluminium market is dynamic and currently driven by stable demand for beverage packaging and specialties, supported by sustainability and decarbonization targets. The aerospace market is characterized by strong and sustained demand for aircraft, but the production ramp-up is at present being held back by challenges throughout the supply chain and in manufacturing processes. Demand for recyclable materials is driving growth opportunities, while challenges such as fluctuating energy costs, limited scrap supply and the expensive rail network are shaping the landscape. Novelis is a market leader that excels in recycling and low-carbon aluminium production. Its innovative solutions for lightweight and sustainable aluminium serve evolving customer needs. Thanks to the company’s global presence and focus on research and development, partnerships and commitment to sustainability, Novelis is well positioned to navigate challenges and drive market leadership.
What can you tell us about market trends?
E.B: The aluminium market is focusing on sustainability, driven by increasing demand for recycled aluminium. Recycling will play a major role in reducing CO2 emissions. However, challenges such as high energy costs and limited scrap availability are significant. To mitigate this, Novelis, in line with the aluminium industry, is pushing for supporting frameworks and strong recycling policies – as well as working on decarbonizing their own remelting processes and looking into alternative non-fossil energy sources.
What are the most innovative products/services marketed?
E.B: Specific examples for innovative products marketed: In automotive, Novelis delivers aluminium alloys with up to 85% recycled content, reducing CO₂ emissions by 60%, as seen in the Mercedes S-Class prototype. In specialties, Novelis’ high-durability, PFAS-free coatings reduce CO₂ by up to 40%, and its AL:sust products boasts up to 90% recycled content. For beverage packaging, Novelis can provide materials with 88% recycled content and offers an alloy with up to 99% recycled content.
What estimations do you have for the rest of 2024?
E.B: For the remainder of 2024, Novelis anticipates sustained growth in demand for sustainable aluminium solutions, fueled by key industries such as beverage packaging and specialties. The company plans to enhance the recycled content of its products and broaden its portfolio of low-carbon aluminium offerings. By prioritizing advancements in recycling capabilities, expanding capacities, and fostering strategic partnerships, Novelis aims to strengthen the circular economy within the aluminium sector. These initiatives align with the company’s ambitious 3×30 vision, which seeks to reduce CO₂e emissions and boost the use of recycled materials to address evolving customer and market needs.