PUBLICATION OF THE 2020 SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT REPORT
SEPT-ÎLES, June 23, 2021 – Despite the impact of the pandemic, 2020 was a record-breaking year for Aluminerie Alouette, with over 620,000 tonnes of aluminium production. This was made possible by exceptional employee engagement, rigorous and responsible management and the great respect the company has shown toward communities and the environment. The results from the most recent Sustainable Development Report say a lot: the company continues to minimize its environmental footprint through innovation, while broadly respecting the standards and targets in place. It remains one of the greenest aluminium smelters in the world.
The President and CEO Claude Gosselin states from the outset that “our performance reflects the rigour of our passionate team of men and women in producing quality aluminium, day after day.” The Sept-Îles team, who had to show resilience throughout the year, demonstrated once again its potential to operate one of the plants with the lowest greenhouse gas emissions in the world.
Employees and culture
As a big family with a unique DNA that knits everyone together, Aluminerie Alouette was able to adapt its work procedures to maintain the pace and keep the virus at bay. Additionally, the company is facing a major challenge: the turnover of a significant portion of its workforce over the next few years. Close to 70 new employees were already hired at the aluminium smelter in 2020 and another 60 or so have joined the ranks since the beginning of 2021.
Health, safety and environment
Beyond the aluminium production targets, the company continues to pursue the objective of zero workplace injuries. In the course of the year, Aluminerie Alouette reduced its total injury rate by almost 20%. However, this is an issue that needs to be closely monitored at all times.
On the environmental front, meaningful results were achieved for the whole community thanks to employees’ daily engagement, coupled with the use of properly functioning, optimized equipment. A true example of a circular economy, Aluminerie Alouette internally recycles or reclaims over 80% of the residual materials generated by its operations. The company’s performance meets standards both in terms of air emissions and ambient air. The same is true for water, an invaluable resource in the region and the preferred method for transporting raw materials and finished products.
Operational excellence
The results are in: the Aluminerie Alouette team has once again pushed its operational limits to achieve greater production. Over 620,000 tonnes of aluminium were allocated to shareholders last year and used in transportation, packaging products, construction and new technologies. Major investments in the forced-air system and continuous improvement helped to bring about this significant achievement.
Shareholders, partners and communities
Despite social distancing practices and various mandatory health measures, the company has remained a key partner of the people in our local communities. Close to half a million dollars were donated to community, cultural, environmental, educational and sports organizations, primarily in Sept-Îles, Port-Cartier and Uashat mak Mani-utenam.
Financial excellence
The COVID-19 pandemic severely impacted the London Metal Exchange, where aluminium is traded. Despite the difficult climate, the situation improved in the second half of the year. That said, things remain uncertain, as the price, which is based on demand, is volatile. In 2020, over $112 million in goods and services were nonetheless purchased from suppliers in the Sept-Rivières regional county municipality. In good and difficult times alike, the Sept-Îles aluminium smelter ensures its sustainability by investing in its modernization and its facilities every year. Aluminerie Alouette is also continuing its annual investments, including the historic project to convert the anode baking furnaces from fuel oil to natural gas. Over time, this will reduce greenhouse gas emissions from anode baking fuels by 30%.
The full Sustainable Development Report is already available online.
