Hydro earns ASI certifications in North America

The Extrusion North America business unit of Norway-based Norsk Hydro ASA has achieved Aluminium Stewardship Initiative Performance Standard V2 certification at 23 of its sites in the United States and Canada.

Hydro calls the Australia-based Aluminum Stewardship Initiative (ASI) “the only comprehensive, voluntary sustainability standard initiative for the aluminum value chain.” To attain the certifications, third-party audits of Hydro Extrusion North America’s sites were conducted by Norway-based DNV GV.

According to a Hydro spokesperson, Hydro Extrusions is the largest recycler of aluminum scrap “by far” in North America, casting some 800,000 tons of ingot annually, of which about 70 percent is comprised of pre- and postconsumer scrap, according to the company.

The ASI Performance Standard has been designed to define environmental, social and governance (ESG) as a way to address sustainability issues in the aluminum sector.

“We are pleased to reach this ASI certification milestone in North America,” says Charlie Straface, president of Hydro Extrusion North America. “The speed and breadth of this effort is an excellent reflection of Hydro’s dedication to sustainability and responsible business practices.”

Hydro has about 100 production sites around the world. With the addition of the 23 North American locations, the company says all but a handful are ASI certified, and the few remaining sites are progressing in their respective certification processes.

“We have seen increased demand from our customers in North America for greener products and greater transparency," says Jerrod Hoeft, who is responsible for the sustainability segment for Hydro Extrusion North America. "With this certification we are sending a clear message to the market: When it comes to sustainability, we are the leader in North America.”