Austal links with Capral for low emissions aluminium

Perth international shipbuilder Austal has committed to using LocAl lower-carbon Aluminium supplied by aluminium processor Capral to support their initiatives in sustainable manufacturing and responsible procurement.

Capral has been a long-term supplier to Austal which builds aluminium and steel hulled passenger ferries and vessels for Defence and Border Security.

Early in 2023, Austal committed to switching their locally extruded aluminium to the LocAl Green offer introduced by Capral in late 2022 which boasts carbon emissions of 8kg CO2e/kg Al, significantly lower than traditional aluminium.

The current global average carbon emission for primary aluminium is approximately 12.4 kg CO2e/kg Al. Capral also offers products manufactured using partly recycled aluminium billet.

Shipbuilding produces vessels with a typical expected life span of 20 to 30 years.

Sales Operations Manager Matthew Klingberg said: “Austal has made a public commitment to achieve a reduction of embodied emissions, and this includes Scope 1, 2 and 3-upstream.

“In selecting materials for incorporation into our products, we consider material longevity, durability, and repairability to ensure the vessels we construct are of high quality as well as efficient and long-lasting.

“Our aim is to manufacture vessels that are highly economical and sustainable over their lifecycle.”

Klingberg said that producing aluminium is energy intensive when compared with steel, from the electrolysis process used in aluminium smelting.

“Austal’s downstream Scope 3 emissions are also our customers’ Scope 1 emissions.

“When we actively make decisions to reduce the emissions associated with the materials we use to construct our vessels, by sourcing LocAl Green aluminium from Capral, we are delivering a far more sustainable solution to our customers.”

Austal is committed to reducing the footprint of the aluminium used in its vessels, including through sourcing ‘green aluminium’.

Austal has also implemented various initiatives to reduce carbon emissions and promote energy efficiency in its manufacturing processes.

Additionally, Austal has invested in energy-efficient equipment and technologies to optimise its manufacturing processes.

Further reading:
Capral to offer extrusions made from recycled aluminium

Picture: Capral