US aluminum pioneer Alcoa Corporation this week announced its intention to achieve zero net greenhouse gas emissions across all of its operations by 2050.

The company said the drive to neutralize direct and indirect GHG emissions aligns with its overall goal of operating in a more sustainable manner. Alcoa also notes that the initiative is in line with its goal of reducing GHG emissions from alumina refining and aluminum smelting operations by 30% by 2025 and half by 2030 compared to the values ​​of. 2015 benchmark.

Alcoa President and CEO Roy Harvey said in a press release that his company is currently developing methods to achieve its ambitious goal.

“We are proud of our commitment to responsible environmental, social and governance practices, and this new venture is an extension of our continued efforts to achieve a decarbonisation path. We are recognized for our environmental practices and we are developing new technologies that will help us progress towards our zero net ambition by 2050. ”

Among the solutions the company is looking to pursue is increasing its portfolio of low-carbon products and using more renewable energy in its operations. It also plans to continue the development of its exclusive ELYSIS carbonless melting process and the inert anode technology which is the basis of this process.

Alcoa will continue to develop its MVR renewable energy process, which it is currently testing through its Australian division. Alcoa of Australia is expanding the process with partial funding from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), and it hopes the process will significantly reduce carbon emissions released during alumina refining.