Constellium celebrates grand opening of advanced aluminium recycling hub in France

Constellium has officially inaugurated its new advanced recycling centre at its Neuf-Brisach facility in France. The €130 million investment, bolstered by the France Relance investment program, is a significant milestone for the company. It reinforces its presence in the automotive and packaging sectors while advancing its commitment to a circular and sustainable economy.

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The new centre will boost the plant’s capacity to recycle automotive and packaging materials by up to 75 per cent, adding an impressive 130,000 tonnes to its operations. This expansion will also enable Constellium to increase the recycled content of its products, aligning with the growing demand for environmentally responsible materials in both the automotive and packaging industries.

With this latest development, Constellium’s global recycling capacity now reaches approximately 735,000 tonnes. The expansion is projected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 400,000 tonnes, contributing to the company’s sustainability targets. Constellium aims to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions intensity by 30 per cent by 2030, compared to 2021 levels, and increase recycled input to at least 50 per cent by the same year.

This investment underscores Constellium’s leadership in advancing sustainable practices within the aluminium industry, further positioning the company at the forefront of environmentally conscious manufacturing.

What is France Relance investment?

On September 3, 2020, the French government announced its “France Relance” recovery plan to address the economic consequences of COVID-19.

The ‘France Relance’ plan, a €100 billion investment, is not just a single-focused initiative. With €40 billion from the European Union, it’s a comprehensive approach to bolstering businesses, reshaping production models, revamping infrastructure, and enhancing training. This diverse investment strategy further strengthens France’s competitiveness and attractiveness to foreign investors.

Emmanuel Macron, President of the French Republic, stated on September 3, 2020, “Turning risk and crisis into opportunity, by mainly investing in the most promising fields, which will drive the economy and create the jobs of the future. That is our choice, a choice for the future, a planned choice. With the France Relance recovery plan, we want to build the France of 2030 today.”

Coming back to the Constellium story

Jean-Marc Germain, CEO of Constellium, said, “I am very proud to celebrate the opening of this new state-of-the-art recycling centre today.”

“This significant increase in our recycling capacity allows us to better respond to our customers’ demand for sustainable products and to make significant strides towards our sustainability goals. The aluminium industry is a key player in the circular economy of tomorrow. With this investment, Constellium is well-positioned to contribute to and benefit from society’s demand for sustainable and recyclable products.”

Aligned with Constellium’s commitment to reducing its environmental footprint, extensive biodiversity assessments were conducted during the construction phase to minimise the impact on the surrounding ecosystem. The company has implemented cutting-edge technologies to enhance industrial processes while limiting environmental harm. These innovations boost energy efficiency, reduce water consumption, and significantly lower air emissions.

Established in 1967, Constellium’s Neuf-Brisach facility is one of its largest plants. It employs around 1,600 people and produces up to 450,000 tonnes annually. Situated in the heart of Europe’s industrial region, the facility primarily serves the packaging and automotive sectors.