Alcoa’s Norwegian aluminum plants earn International Automotive Task Force certification

Alcoa’s two aluminum plants in Norway, Alcoa Mosjøen and Alcoa Lista, have received certification from the International Automotive Task Force (IATF), a milestone that signals the metal produced there meets the strictest international standards for automobile manufacturers.

“This achievement shows once again that Alcoa delivers high-quality aluminum, down to the smallest specification,” said Grethe Hindersland, general manager for Alcoa Norway and operations manager at Alcoa Lista.

With the certification, the two plants are now certified for the strictest delivery norm for car manufacturers. The automotive aluminum market size is growing rapidly and expected to reach $104.6 billion by 2027, according to Industry ARC. Growth in electric cars in particular is driving demand, as electric cars use more aluminum to lighten the vehicle and accommodate the battery storage.

It's one example of the role aluminum plays in a more sustainable society, and it’s why Alcoa has a roadmap to reinvent the industry through transformative innovation. Earlier this year, the Mosjøen smelter installed a new furnace that uses renewable energy to recycle scrap aluminum, saving energy and unlocking the infinite recyclability of the metal. In June, Alcoa announced a $51 million project to increase the production capacity at its Mosjøen smelter in Norway by 14,000 metric tons per year (mtpy).

“We’re extremely proud of this certification, which ensures we will continue to supply top automotive manufactures with aluminum into the future,” said Terje Christoffersen, quality manager at Mosjøen.

The IATF is composed of international automobile companies and their respective National Automotive Industry Associations. It was established to develop global quality standards for members’ suppliers.

Based on the ISO 9001 certification standard, the IATF certification, also known as IATF 16949, was developed by the International Automotive Task Force (IATF) and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). It brings together disparate quality management systems from different countries to create a unified standard for the automotive industry.

The IATF certificate will be followed up by the BSI (British Standards Institution) with annual interim audits, and with a re-certification every 3 years. Alcoa is also evaluating IATF certification for other facilities around the globe.

For more information on Alcoa’s operations in Norway, read here.