Hydro's Bauxite & Alumina business wins the TMS Light Metals Award 2020

Hydro's Bauxite & Alumina business has won the TMS Light Metals Award 2020, promoted by The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society.  This is first time a Brazilian project received the TMS Light Metals Award, one of the most important awards in the metals sector for innovation projects on a global level.

"This international recognition of our work demonstrates that we are on the right track to make Alunorte a global reference for bauxite residue re-use, consolidating a leading position in the industry. The results of this research will allow the development of alternative products. This will reduce the use of non-renewable conventional raw materials, resulting in the reduction of the company's environmental footprint, as well as promoting an increase in the useful life of the solid waste deposit areas," said Marcelo Montini, Hydro Senior Chemical Consultant.

The article "Bayer Process Towards the Circular Economy – Soil Conditioners from Bauxite Residue" was the winner in the main category and received the Overall Light Metals Awards.

“The study presents the first results from research to use bauxite residue from Alunorte, Hydro's refinery in Pará state in Brazil, as a soil conditioner in local agriculture. The same case was also the winner of the Alumina and Bauxite category, winning the Light Metals Subject Awards,” Hydro said.

In 2019, Hydro and the Senai Institute of Innovation in Mineral Technologies (ISI-TM) signed agreement for the development of more-sustainable uses for bauxite residue.

"The international recognition of research reinforces the importance of partnerships between industries and institutions of science and technology (ICTs), such as the network of SENAI Institutes of Innovation (ISI), in creating innovative solutions. The first results of the study already present a great potential of contributing to the local productive chain and is an example of good practices for the aluminum sector in the international market," said Adriano Lucheta, Director of the SENAI Institute of Innovation in Mineral Technologies. The research will be concluded in 2022.