ICCK

“Aluminum presents a perfect solution for automotive light weighting trend”

Novelis Asia Expansion Project expected to be completed in February… investing $2.7 billion globally in the last eight years

We interviewed the President of Novelis Korea and Asia, Sachin Satpute, to discuss major issues in the aluminum industry and its strategy to grow as a global industry leader. 

Q. What values and goals does Novelis pursue?

Novelis is a leading producer of rolled aluminum and the global leader in beverage can recycling. Novelis is driven by its purpose ‘Shaping a sustainable world together – from how we work alongside our customers to not only supply aluminum but also provide innovative solutions to the aerospace, automotive, beverage can, and specialty markets.

Aluminum recycling, one of the key components of our business, further differentiates us in the marketplace. Recycling aluminum requires about 5% of the energy needed to produce primary aluminum from virgin materials, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 95%. About 60% of Novelis inputs come from recycled aluminum.

Q. Please introduce the Novelist's major achievements and its position in the automotive aluminum market.

The global automotive light weighting trend is also affecting demands in Asian automotive markets. Since how far an electric vehicle can go on one charge is very important; aluminum is a higher-performing material for electric vehicles than steel. 

Novelis is the only supplier producing automotive aluminum sheets in all three major auto-producing continents—North America, Europe and Asia— while maintaining a stable supply chain. Over the past eight years, the company has invested more than $2.7 billion worldwide to meet growing demand in the automotive sector. To meet the growing demand for automotive aluminum in Asia, Novelis is doubling its automotive aluminum-sheet capacity by using a new CASH (continuous-annealing, solution heat-treatment) line, adding approximately 100,000 tons of capacity. This facility includes a high-speed slitter as well as a fully automated packaging line, which will be completed in February this year.

Q. What is the value of closed loop recycling and how does Novelis support it?

Novelis has successfully created and operated the closed loop aluminum recycling emodel with global automobile producers such as Ford and JLR, and based on this successful experience, we plan to cooperate with automotive customers in Asia to develop the closed loop recycling system. Novelis will try to push ahead with solutions that benefit the industry as a whole and the community, and in particular, we plan to actively cooperate with governments, related organizations and research teams.

Recently, global aluminum companies, Novelis and Constellium have launched Alumobility, a nonprofit organization that will provide innovative, technical aluminum design solutions to advance the adoption of aluminum automotive body sheet. Through collaborative technical projects and thought leadership, as well as working in partnership with global automotive manufacturers, Alumobility will help further develop smarter, lighter, safer, and more sustainable vehicles

Q. What role does Novelis play as a socially responsible company?

Novelis recycles more than 74 billion used beverage cans each year. In partnership with Seoul Facilities Corporation, Novelis has been carrying out a campaign called "Can Crush Challenge" since 2019 to raise public awareness on aluminum can recycling. We also provide scholarships and free education to students in rural community to participate in domestic and global robot championships and offer them with STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) education opportunities. Moreover, we have been sponsoring the Yeongju Sobaeksan marathon held in Yeongju since 2008 and delivering steady volunteer work and donations to the Yeongju Rehabilitation Center for the Disabled through an in-house club.

Q. You have been serving as Chairman of Indian Chamber of Commerce in Korea for the last one year. What tasks do you see to strengthen the partnership and cooperation between Korea and India?

The Indian Chamber of Commerce in Korea (ICCK), which continues to grow with a membership base of around 65, is striving to connect Korean and Indian businesses to explore mutually beneficial opportunities. ICCK engages in various activities, such as facilitating B2B and G2B meetings, hosting Indian investor camps, and providing support for Indian investment. It also arranges meetings for Korean businesses when state government delegations come from India, Speakers’ forum, and networking events. ICCK will continue to play a vital role in expanding trade and investment between the two countries as the ties for the shared interests deepen.

Source: http://www.snmnews.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=474813