Located on the shores of the St. Lawrence River in the Bécancour industrial park, the smelter produces 400,000 metric tons of aluminum annually in the form of rolling ingots, T-ingots (pure and alloyed) and billets. Alcoa owns 74.95% and Rio Tinto Alcan 25.05% of the smelter. The Bécancour Smelter achieved ISO 9001 certification in 1996 and ISO 14001 certification in 2003 for aluminum production, which includes the manufacture of anodes and finished products, rolling ingots, t-ingots and billets. In 2002, ABI’s environmental analysis laboratory obtained ISO 17025 certification for fluoride emissions in water, air and vegetation. In 2008, the certification’s scope was broadened with the addition of parameters for aluminum, oils and greases, suspended solids and chemical oxygen demand.
In 2003, the smelter received the ICI ON RECYCLE! designation from RECYC-QUÉBEC, which was renewed in 2006 for a three-year period and again in 2009 (Performance level). In 2010, it achieved a new height of energy efficiency by reducing its annual electricity consumption by at least 250 gigawatt hours (GWh). These results earned it the exceptional distinction of being the first Elite member of Hydro-Québec’s Écolectrique network. The Bécancour Smelter supports many local not-for-profit organizations and other causes, including Opération Enfant Soleil, Centraide and Operation Red Nose.
Start-up: 1986
Construction cost: $1.65 billion
Production: T-ingots, billets, rolling ingots
Production capacity: 425,000 MT / year
Port facilities: Bécancour
Certifications: ISO 9001:2000, ISO 14001:2004 and ISO 17025
Economic spin-offs for Québec: $494 million invested in salaries, taxes and goods and services, including $237 million in local purchases
