The aluminum industry accelerates green transformation under the “dual carbon” goal

At the “2021 China Aluminum Week” held a few days ago, the term “dual carbon” became the focus of discussion among speakers and representatives. Some people think that “dual carbon” brings opportunities, while others think that “dual carbon” brings challenges. In short, the core of all these discussions lies in the realization of the “dual carbon” goal, how should the aluminum industry go? What should aluminum companies do?

As a major carbon emitter in the non-ferrous metal industry, achieving the goal of carbon peak and carbon neutrality is an unavoidable development path for the aluminum industry, and it is our duty. Chen Quanxun, the former president of the China Nonferrous Metals Industry Association, said: “Faced with the new situation and new challenges, China’s aluminum industry must adopt a more open attitude, a more steady pace, and a more self-disciplined action to meet opportunities and accept tests.”

From the country’s proposal of “ecological civilization” and “green development”, to General Secretary Xi Jinping’s solemn promise of “carbon peak and carbon neutrality” to the international community at the general debate of the 75th UN General Assembly, and at the Climate Ambition Summit Specific goals. Achieving the “dual carbon” goal has become an inevitable choice. In recent years, China’s aluminum industry has been actively practicing the concept of green development and continuously promoting the development of green and low-carbon energy transformation. Whether it is equipment, technical level, energy consumption, and emission indicators, China’s aluminum industry has achieved the world’s leading position. Especially in the electrolytic aluminum industry, China’s average comprehensive AC power consumption per ton of aluminum is 800 kWh lower than the global average. Most of the industry’s sulfur dioxide has achieved ultra-low emissions, or even zero emissions.

Liu Xiangmin, General Manager and Deputy Secretary of the Party Leadership Group of China Aluminum Group, said: “The aluminum industry is in the key areas of energy consumption and carbon emissions. Starting from the aluminum industry to promote the realization of the common goal of carbon peaking and carbon neutrality.”

Zhang Bo, chairman of Shandong Weiqiao Pioneering Group, called on, “The electrolytic aluminum industry is a major carbon emitter. We should actively take practical actions to turn passive into active, small moves into big ones, optimize the energy structure, and improve clean energy and new energy. Proportion to promote energy green and low-carbon transition.”

The speeches of the entrepreneurs demonstrated the attitude and determination of aluminum companies to resolutely implement the “dual carbon” goal.

But the challenge to promote the realization of the “dual carbon” goal is also huge. “The current aluminum industry is still facing a complex and severe situation, with challenges and difficulties such as heavy carbon emission reduction tasks,” said Xia Nong, a first-level inspector of the National Development and Reform Commission.

Since the beginning of this year, under the promotion of the “dual carbon” goal, policies such as dual energy consumption control and regional power and production restrictions have followed one after another, which has brought huge challenges to the recovery of the aluminum industry after the epidemic. At the same time, after the launch of China’s electrolytic aluminum “North Aluminum Southward” project, Yunnan’s green hydropower aluminum production capacity project index reached about 7 million tons, and the problem of difficult electricity consumption was particularly prominent in the dry season and power curtailment. The reporter learned that Yunnan Aluminum has put into production electrolytic aluminum production capacity and can only start about 70%.

Xiong Hui, chief expert and deputy chief engineer of Beijing Antaike Information Co., Ltd., said when analyzing the “dual-carbon” situation in the industry: “The carbon peak and carbon neutrality of China’s aluminum industry is a tough battle. Preparation for battle.”

Faced with challenges and difficulties, what should China’s aluminum industry do? How should this battle be fought?

Xia Nong said that to implement the goal of carbon peak and carbon neutrality, it is necessary to handle the relationship between development and emission reduction, as well as the overall and partial, accelerate energy structure adjustment and industrial upgrading, strengthen standard guidance, and increase green and low-carbon transformation. Eliminate processes and equipment that do not meet relevant energy consumption standards, and continue to improve the energy efficiency of the aluminum industry.

Fan Shunke, deputy secretary of the Party Committee of China Nonferrous Metals Industry Association, pointed out that the aluminum industry must consciously practice and implement the “dual carbon” goal, high standards and strict requirements to handle the relationship between aluminum industry development and the ecological environment, and focus on safe production, occupational health, and cleanliness. Production work. At the same time, the entire industry chain must adhere to the coordinated development of primary and regeneration, adhere to the short-process development of direct supply of aluminum liquid, and adhere to the integrated development of aluminum regeneration and processing.

Wang Zhong, Director of the Nonferrous Metals Division of the Raw Materials Department of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, said: “The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and the Development and Reform Commission are studying and formulating the Implementation Plan for Carbon Peaking in the Non-ferrous Metals Industry to clarify the carbon peaking targets, key tasks and safeguard measures. The aluminum industry has large output and high carbon emission intensity. In view of the aluminum industry, we must continue to promote green and low-carbon processes, encourage enterprises to carry out energy-saving and carbon-reduction technology transformations, support the consumption of renewable energy, build a circular economy system, and promote low-carbon development of the industry.”

Liu Xiangmin said that Chinalco has issued the “Carbon Peak Carbon Neutral Action Plan”, which puts forward the overall goal of “striving to achieve carbon peaks by 2025 and reduce carbon by 40% by 2035, and take the lead in achieving carbon neutrality in the industry”. It is increasing basic research on cutting-edge green, low-carbon, and waste-free technologies, strengthening cooperation with clean energy companies, and actively deploying a recycling industry system.

In short, achieving the “dual-carbon” goal is no easy task. Only by changing our thinking, firming our beliefs, embracing green development, holding hands on low-carbon development, using innovation to drive the industry’s transition to low energy consumption, and improving the industry’s resource recycling system can we make The aluminum industry has truly embarked on the road of green and low-carbon development, and implemented and promoted the “dual carbon” goal.

The whole industry must actively implement the concept of green and low-carbon development, fulfill corporate social responsibility, vigorously develop green recycling industries such as secondary aluminum and the comprehensive utilization of red mud, and improve the level of recycling of aluminum resources; at the same time, actively organize and develop enterprises, universities, and scientific research institutions Exchanges and cooperation with other related parties to jointly solve the key technical issues of energy saving, carbon reduction and comprehensive utilization, promote technical research and application of equipment and processes, and provide a solid foundation and technical support for achieving the goal of carbon peak and carbon neutrality as soon as possible. We firmly believe that the aluminum industry has the foundation, capability and strength, and is the first to achieve the “dual carbon” goal in the non-ferrous metal industry.