Overview
Alcoa’s steadfast commitment to sustainability and community engagement is all the more significant during this global economic downturn
Alcoa’s presence in Iceland evidences the company’s determination to set the highest benchmarks in environmental and conservation standards, community engagement and corporate citizenship.
From the outset of the ambitious project to build the state-of-the-art Fjardaal (“Aluminum of the Fjords”) smelter in Eastern Iceland, fueled 100% by hydropower, Alcoa was committed to anchoring sustainability in the center of its business - and keeping it there.
Positive Impact on Community Development
The Alcoa Fjardaal smelter, combined with infrastructure development of the hydroelectric power station at Karahnjukar and the harbor facility at Mjoeyri , is one of the most extensive community development investments even undertaken in Iceland.
Today 90% of those living in Central East Iceland believe Alcoa Fjardaal has had a ‘rather or very positive’ effect on the living conditions in East Iceland and over 95% of the residents are pleased to live in this part of the country[1].
And, Alcoa Fjardaal is meeting high environmental and sustainability standards:
- It is one of the most technologically advanced smelters in the world.
- It uses the best available technology for minimizing environmental impact, such as state-of-the-art cleansing equipment, recycling processes, and methods to ensure that no waste water is released into the sea.
- And, this plant enables Alcoa to follow through on its efforts globally to rely less on fossil-fuel-based power and replace it with natural, renewable energy sources which generate considerably less greenhouse gas.
Alcoa is also currently undertaking extensive environmental impact assessments to assess the feasibility of a geothermal powered smelter on Bakki near the town of Husavik in North Iceland.
[1] 2008 survey conducted by Capacent Gallup in Iceland for Alcoa Fjardaal.
