In the Metallurgy & Mining sector, we have
set specific targets that help reduce CO
2
emissions during aluminium production.
More specifically, primary-cast aluminium
is obtained by alumina through electroly-
sis. This process produces carbon dioxide
and monoxide, together with fluoride
emissions. It also produces perfluorocarbons
(CF
4
& C
2
F
6
), which are gases with a sig-
nificant contribution to global warming. To
illustrate this contribution, suffice to men-
tion that 1 ton of CF
4
is equivalent to 6,500
tons of CO
2
, while 1 ton of C
2
F
6
is equiv-
alent to 9,200 tons of CO
2
. These perflu-
orocarbons can be reduced by controlling
the frequency and duration of the anode ef-
fect during the electrolysis process. We are
focusing our efforts on this particular
stage in our production process, by setting
specific targets to be achieved (CF
4
Emis-
sions: <0.04 kg/t Al; Fluoride Emissions :
<1.5 kg/t Al). The increase in the emission
of perfluorocarbons since 2012, as shown
in the table below, is temporary and is due
to a transition period during which an in-
creased number of basins has entered the
production process, as well as to technical
difficulties regarding their adjustment.
ALUMINIUM S.A. is implementing specific
continuous improvement projects aimed at
reducing and stabilising the levels of these
emissions.
The overall environmental strategy of our
Group comprises key initiatives that focus
on improving our performance with regard
to greenhouse gas and CO
2
emissions
over the next years. These include the fol-
lowing:
26
I
n 2013, total CO
2
emissions from the pro-
duction activities of our Group amounted to
4.61 million tons, down 1.7% from 2012. Di-
rect emissions, i.e. emissions from sources
owned or controlled by our Group, declined
by 6%, with indirect emissions, which corre-
spond mainly to the consumption of electricity,
posting an increase by 3.2%. Of these total
emissions, 74.2% came from the Metallurgy
& Mining sector, 25.6% from the Energy
sector and only 0.2% from the EPC Projects
sector.
DIRECT EMISSIONS
(SCOPE 1) IN TN CO
2
EQ.
2012
2013
2,503,169
2,353,597
TOTAL EMISSIONS
(SCOPE 1+2) IN TN CO
2
EQ.
2012
2013
4,688,410
4,611,060
INDIRECT EMISSIONS
(SCOPE 2) IN TN CO
2
EQ.
2012
2013
2,185,241
2,257,463
The most extensive possible use of natural gas as the primary fuel instead of oil in aluminium production. During 2013 the use of natural gas
instead of fuel oil in the alumina line kilns and foundry furnaces was completed, with the reduction of CO
2
emissions estimated at 50,000 t/year.
Construction of new electrolysis basins, using prefabricated side blocks instead of the carbon paste used until today. These blocks are more
resistant to corrosion and have a higher thermal conductivity.
Supply of power to the plant from the High-Efficiency Combined Heat and Power (CHP) plant which uses natural gas as combustion fuel to
produce electricity.
Establishment of a greenhouse gas emissions inventory in all business units of METKA S.A. (plants, construction sites and head offices), in ap-
plication of the ISO 14064 International Standard.
Gradual implementation of the following: Replacement of oil with natural gas as the fuel used in the company’s plants and offices, and use
of new, low-emissions technology company cars.
The efficiency rates achieved in the operation of the company’s thermal power plants are among the highest in Greece (No 1 and No 3, with
efficiency rates of 58.0% and 57.7%, respectively), making the best possible use of natural gas as their primary fuel. To produce electricity,
the Group’s thermal plants use natural gas. It is a clean fuel that has a lower carbon content compared to other mineral fuels, does not re-
lease S0
2
and other particles, emits less NOx (mainly N0
2
) in exhaust gases compared to the maximum allowed quantities under the applica-
ble laws, and produces less C0
2
(by 70%) compared to lignite-fired plants.
In the domain of Renewable Energy Sources, PROTERGIA S.A. is already producing electricity from Wind farms (36 MW in operation), small
Hydropower plants (6 MW in operation) and Photovoltaic parks (11.5 MW in operation) and is developing RES assets totalling more than 1000
MW which are in various licensing stages. The corresponding investments will make a significant contribution to the efforts towards the 20-
20-20 target for Greece regarding the reduction of greenhouse gas emission and the penetration of RES in final consumption.
INDIRECT EMISSIONS
(SCOPE 3) IN TN CO
2
EQ.
2012
2013
-
2,326.8
- Personnel travel to/from work (tn CO
2
eq) : 218.5
- Personnel air travel (tn CO
2
eq) : 631.8
- Transportation of products/equipment (using trans-
port means of associates) (tn CO
2
eq): 1.372
- Company vehicles: (tn CO
2
eq): 104.5
OTHER SIGNIFICANT AIR
EMISSIONS, IN TN CO
2
EQ.
SOx
NOx
CH
4
PFC’s
(CF
4
– C
2
F
6
)
Fluoride
Particles
2012
4,323.9
1,023.0
57.7
5.1
222.9
157.7
2013
3,868.8
1,144.3
10.4
237.33
99.8
KEY INITIATIVES TO REDUCE GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS
Metallurgy &
Mining Sector
Construction &
EPC Projects
Sector
Energy
Sector
5.6 EMISSIONS