Aluminium pathway

Australian producers can calculate the emissions intensity and create Product Guarantee of Origin (PGO) certificates for making batches of aluminium. 

To do this, you’ll need to:

• identify and understand emissions sources
• understand co-products and losses
• provide your quantity information.

We’re developing calculators that will help you calculate emissions intensity using the supplied quantity information. 

This applies to aluminium produced through a smelting process, including aluminium that is in molten or cast form.

Measuring aluminium for certificates

For aluminium, the functional unit is 1 tonne (t). Each PGO certificate represents one whole tonne of aluminium.
A batch is the quantity of aluminium produced over a defined period that:

• is measured at the production gate (the point where aluminium is ready for delivery)
• has a single, consistent emissions intensity.

We only issue certificates for whole tonnes. For example, if a batch contains 10.9 t, we will only issue 10 certificates.

Producers may define separate batches where production processes differ.

Production modules and emission sources

Minimum production module

All aluminium produced must include the aluminium production module, which covers:

• electrochemical smelting of alumina
• operation of equipment necessary to produce aluminium.

This is the minimum module and must be included in every eligible batch.

Optional production modules

Casting

If molten aluminium is cast into solid products, the casting module applies. This module includes:

• casting molten aluminium into ingots, slabs or billets
• re melting solid aluminium (including scrap), where applicable.

If casting is included:

• molten and cast aluminium must be reported in separate batches
• additional emissions sources (such as alloying metals) must be accounted for.

Carbon anode production

If carbon anodes are produced for use in aluminium smelting, the carbon anode production module applies. This module includes:

• forming carbon anodes from carbon feedstocks
• baking carbon anodes for use in the smelting process.

If carbon anode production is included:

• emissions from carbon anode production must be accounted for
• emissions must be monitored, measured and reported in accordance with scheme requirements.

Production emission sources

Depending on how the aluminium is produced, emissions may need to be accounted for from the following sources: 

• electricity supply and use
• fuel supply and combustion 
• carbonates use 
• synthetic gas use 
• alumina supply
• anode supply
• anode use 
• feedstock supply
• alloying metals supply and use
• production of carbon anodes for aluminium.

Only emissions sources that occur for the batch need to be reported.

Delivery modules and emission sources

Aluminium produced may include delivery modules, each with their own associated emission sources.

Delivery-related losses

Losses may occur after production (for example, during transport or handling). These are captured by measuring the quantity of aluminium at the delivery gate, rather than through a separate loss calculation.

The amount of aluminium that reaches the delivery gate is measured: 

• at the closest practicable point to the delivery gate 
• in alignment with the monitoring and measuring requirements of the method.

Attributes shown on certificates

As well as the standard attributes listed on PGO certificates, certificates for aluminium include:

• whether the aluminium is molten or cast
• whether scrap is included (pre consumer, post consumer or both)
• the percentage of scrap used
• country of origin of any scrap
• alloying metal percentage of the total volume of aluminium
• type of alloying metal
• breakdown of emissions sources.

Scrap and alloying metals

If scrap aluminium is used in casting, you must:

• identify whether it is pre consumer scrap, post consumer scrap or both
• report the percentage of scrap in the batch
• report the country of origin of the scrap.

If alloying metals (such as magnesium, silicon or copper) are added:

• emissions from their supply must be included
• standard emissions factors apply.