Novelis Achieves 90% Emissions Reduction Using Hydrogen in UK Recycling

Novelis has successfully tested hydrogen fuel in its aluminium recycling furnace at the Latchford plant in Warrington, achieving up to a 90% reduction in CO2 emissions compared to natural gas. The trials, part of a UK government decarbonisation programme, involved blending hydrogen with natural gas in various ratios to evaluate the impact on infrastructure and equipment compatibility. Several hundred tonnes of scrap aluminium were remelted and cast during the tests, which were supported by a £4.6 million grant from the UK’s Net Zero Innovation Portfolio. The findings will inform further research and a comprehensive evaluation report expected later in 2025, as Novelis aims to enhance its recycling capacity and establish hydrogen as a viable energy source in the industry. The project is a collaboration with Progressive Energy and is part of the broader HyNet initiative to create a low carbon industrial cluster in the UK. This pioneering effort positions Novelis as a leader in the push for decarbonisation in aluminium production.