Alcan Planning to Manage Water Wisely
Alcan is a global producer of aluminum with an interest in a diverse range of production and manufacturing processes. The company requires significant amounts of water and recognizes the need to plan how it uses this natural resource.
The company has invested significant resources to identify and understand the life cycle of water in its organization. This includes a systematic assessment of all potential upstream and downstream impacts associated with producing and manufacturing aluminum and specialty packaging.
Aluminum smelting is an energy-intensive process requiring large and reliable amounts of electricity which Alcan mostly provides through hydropower or thermal energy conversion. The company also transports millions of tons of raw materials and semi-finished products by sea and is keenly aware of its responsibility to protect vulnerable ecosystems in these waters.
Alcan’s “One of Our Most Precious Resources” position statement includes its commitment to sustainable management of freshwater and shares examples of how this is implemented. This includes effective watershed management; increased process efficiency; conservation efforts aimed at reducing and, in some cases, eliminating industrial water consumption; the reduction of wastewater and improved wastewater treatment; and water system remediation.
Alcan’s commitment to the sustainable management of freshwater is broken down into the following elements:
- Challenges the company faces on freshwater issues;
- The company’s motivations for managing water sustainably;
- The actions the company has taken to ensure sustainable water management;
- The costs and benefits to the company of sustainable water management.
Alcan has learned that it can no longer act in isolation on matters related to water management. The company believes that its long-term success and its license to operate and grow are secured by systematically engaging a broad range of stakeholders. This approach is founded on the company
