Crown qualifies first aluminum coils at Constellium plant

Tampa, Florida-based metal packaging company Crown Holdings Inc has qualified the first aluminum coils from Constellium SE’s new aluminum recycling center in France.

The aluminum coils, produced mainly from post-consumer scrap, have passed qualification tests at Crown’s manufacturing plants in France and Spain, Constellium said, meaning Crown has approved the use of the coils in its beverage cans.

Constellium’s recycling center in Neuf-Brisach, France, adds 130,000 metric tons of aluminum recycling capacity annually, bringing the Paris-based company’s global recycling capacity to about 735,000 metric tons across its facilities in Europe and North America. The company has eight locations in the United States. Earlier this year, Constellium was awarded up to $75 million for a low-carbon SmartMelt furnace conversion in Ravenswood, West Virginia.

“We are delighted with the development of this new recycling center that brings more used beverage cans recycling capacity to the market, aligning with our ongoing commitment toward circularity,” said John Rost, senior vice president, Crown Technology, Sustainability & Regulatory Affairs.

“Across our value chain partnerships, we continuously look to support the can industry and its commitment of increasing can collection, namely through the implementation of Deposit Return Systems in our markets to drive a stronger circular economy,” Rost said.

The Neuf-Brisach plant is one of Constellium’s largest, with a capacity of 450,000 metric tons. The integrated aluminum rolling, finishing, and recycling facility designs and produces coil and sheet products, servicing customers in canstock and foodstock, automotive and industry application sectors.