Alcoa’s Sale of EcoLum® Aluminum Billet in U.S. Reflects Growing Interest in Low-Carbon Metal

The recent sale of Alcoa Corporation’s low-carbon EcoLum® aluminum billet in North America reflects a growing interest in the low-carbon metal outside of Europe.

The billet was purchased by Keymark Corporation, a premier full-service aluminum extrusion company in the United States. Keymark President, William Keller, said he expects low-carbon aluminum to be most commonly requested for architectural shapes and applications.

“We are starting to see an increase in interest for low-carbon products, especially in high-end architecture,” Keller said. “Our strategy with the EcoLum aluminum aligns with our customers' evolving needs, and the current trend is toward products with low to zero carbon intensity.”

EcoLum is part of Alcoa’s Sustana® family of low-carbon aluminum products, a comprehensive line of low-carbon solutions. EcoLum primary aluminum is produced with less than 4.0 metric tons of CO2e per metric ton of metal. This includes both direct and indirect emissions (scope 1 and scope 2) across the entire production chain, from bauxite mining to aluminum smelting and casting, and is produced at smelters using renewable energy and low-carbon alumina. Low-carbon alumina is produced in a refinery portfolio with an average emissions intensity that is less than 0.6 metric tons of carbon dioxide per metric ton of alumina produced, including both direct and indirect (scope 1 and scope 2) emissions from bauxite mining and alumina refining. 

Since Sustana’s launch in 2017, demand for low-carbon solutions has increased steadily, primarily in the European market. Interest in low-carbon products is now growing in North America, particularly for the building and construction sector and its focus on embodied carbon, or the carbon footprint of the materials that make up a building. Several local and state governments across North America, including Toronto and California, have adopted building codes that incorporate embodied carbon considerations.

“Keymark is a long-time customer of Alcoa, and we have worked together for many years to adapt and respond to evolving markets and trends,” said Adam Smith, Alcoa’s Vice President of Aluminum Sales. "Alcoa is well positioned to help our customers deliver on the growing interest in sustainable aluminum products in North America.”

Keymark Corporation, based in Fonda, New York, is a leading aluminum extrusion company offering a comprehensive range of services – including anodizing, casting, extruding, and custom packaging. Since 1964, Keymark has served various industries such as building and construction, agriculture, pool products, and filtration systems. With facilities in both New York and Florida, Keymark is known for its expertise in aluminum extrusions and its ability to provide end-to-end solutions from design to custom finishes.

About Alcoa’s Sustana® family of products: 

EcoLum® low-carbon aluminum is produced with less than 4.0 metric tons of CO2e for every metric ton of metal produced, including Scope 1 and 2 emissions from bauxite mining, alumina refining, aluminum smelting and casting. The emission intensity is one-third compared to the global industry average (CRU emissions intensity data, 2024) and is offered in a full range of primary products, including foundry, slab, billet, wire rod, high purity, and P1020. 

EcoLum® aluminum is part of Alcoa’s Sustana® family, which is a comprehensive line of low-carbon products because it includes alumina, primary aluminum and aluminum with recycled content. The other products include: 

EcoDura® aluminum is made with a minimum of 50 percent pre-consumer recycled content. It can deliver benefits for building and construction customers in terms of LEED® certification points. 

EcoSource® alumina is delivered from a refinery portfolio with an average emissions intensity that is less than 0.6 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalents per metric ton of alumina produced, including both direct and indirect (Scope 1 and Scope 2) emissions from bauxite mining and alumina refining.

EcoLum® aluminum and EcoSource® alumina can be supplied with certification from the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI), a global nonprofit with the industry’s most comprehensive third-party certification of responsible manufacturing practices. Alcoa has locations across its three product segments certified to ASI’s Performance Standard, and the Company has also earned ASI’s Chain of Custody standard, providing validation and traceability of responsible production, sourcing, and stewardship of aluminum.

To learn more about the Sustana family of products, visit www.alcoa.com/sustana.