Aluminium and alumina sector: environmental performance agreement overview

In 2022, 11 of 12 companies submitted their annual reports by the reporting deadline, while 1 facility submitted their report late. The submitted reports were verified by ECCC, where it was found all facilities met their emission targets for SO₂, PM_2.5, and PAH in 2022 (refer to the tables below), while all facilities but Kitimat met their TPM emission targets. As a consequence of this, Kitimat has provided an action plan to ensure they meet the objectives next year. All facilities submitted their action plans and implementation status, highlighting code of practice (CoP) implementation to reduce PM_2.5 emissions from the primary aluminium sector.

To date, 4 PM_2.5 working group meetings have been held. At the last meeting, the results of the validation tests for the Cyclex method were discussed. As the results were not conclusive, and the method presents significant limitations, the development of the Cyclex method will not be pursued further. ECCC is now in the process of evaluating other options for PM_2.5 sampling from roof vents. A contract was completed to compare possible PM_2.5 methods, where a series of recommendations were issued. ECCC is currently in discussion with facilities to establish a plan for the implementation of these sampling recommendations.

In 2022, during the SO₂ working group’s eighth meeting, aluminium producers presented their initiatives to stabilize SO₂ emissions and decrease their emission intensity. By December 2024, industry must produce and present an assessment of all reduction actions implemented by the industry to reduce SO₂ emissions. The report must also include a description of projected future actions (spanning from 2030 to 2050).

Requirements and results by facilities for 2022

Verification results

ECCC received and verified the annual reports, which included emissions of PAH, TPM, PM_2.5 and sulphur content in fuel data. ECCC requested 2 facilities correct their sulphur assessment and 1 facility clarify their Code of Practice implementation status. ECCC was satisfied with the responses from facilities and no further actions were required.

All companies submitted their 2021 annual report by the reporting deadline. All reports were verified by ECCC and indicate that all companies met their emissions targets for SO₂, PM_2.5 and PAH in 2021 (refer to the tables below). All facilities met their targets and submitted their action plans highlighting the implementation of the code of practice to reduce emissions of PM_2.5 from the primary aluminum sector.

To date, 4 annual PM_2.5 working group meetings have occurred. At the last meeting, validation results of the proposed Cyclex method to sample PM_2.5 emissions from roof vents were discussed. Results were inconclusive for the condensable PM2.5 and the Cyclex method as proposed was abandoned. ECCC is now in the process of evaluating other options for sampling PM_2.5 from roof vents.  

The SO₂ working group met twice in 2022. During the last meeting in November, aluminum producers presented their initiatives to stabilize SO₂ emissions and decrease emission intensity based on production.

Requirements and results by facilities for 2021

Verification results

ECCC received and verified the annual reports, which included PAH, TPM, PM_2.5 and sulphur content in fuel data. ECCC asked 4 facilities to confirm the sampling frequency and to justify the absence of certain data. ECCC also reached out to facilities to ask for more information about the implementation of the Code of Practice recommendations. ECCC was satisfied with the responses from facilities and therefore no further actions were required. 

All companies submitted their 2020 annual report by the reporting deadline. All reports were verified by ECCC and indicated that all companies met their emissions targets for SO₂, PM_2.5 and PAH in 2020 (refer to the tables below). One facility did not meet their emissions targets for TPM in 2020. The facility identified the issue and implemented the action plan for meeting TPM emissions target for 2021. All facilities submitted their action plans highlighting the implementation of the code of practice to reduce emissions of PM_2.5 from the primary aluminum sector. To date, 3 annual PM_2.5 working group meetings have occurred. The working group discussed the results and sampling methods of historical PM­_2.5­ measurement campaigns carried out to date, the criteria for setting a quantitative PM_2.5 target, and the validation of the method for measuring PM_2.5 emissions from potline roof vents. In 2020, ECCC hired a contractor to validate the PM_2.5 sampling methodology for roof vents. During the next PM_2.5 working group meeting, the group will discuss the results of the validation work.

Requirements and results by facilities for 2020

Verification results

ECCC received and verified the annual reports, which included PAH, TPM, PM_2.5 and sulphur content in fuel data. ECCC requested 2 facilities to submit missing information. The facilities submitted the requested information. ECCC also reached out to facilities to verify PAH emissions reductions and to obtain information from one facility that did not meet the TPM emissions target along with their action plan to meet the target in 2021. ECCC was satisfied with responses from facilities and therefore no further actions were required.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, ECCC extended the reporting deadline from June 30th 2020 to August 30th 2020. All companies submitted their 2019 annual report by the extended reporting deadline. All reports were verified by ECCC and indicated that all companies met their emissions targets for SO₂, TPM, PM_2.5 and PAH for 2019 (refer to the tables below). To date, 3 annual PM_2.5 working group meetings have occurred. The working group discussed the results and sampling methods of historical PM­_2.5­ measurement campaigns carried out to date, the criteria for setting a quantitative PM_2.5 target, and the validation of the method for measuring PM_2.5 emissions from potline roof vents. In 2020, ECCC hired a contractor to validate the PM_2.5 sampling methodology for roof vents. It is expected that the report will be available in 2021. Most of the facilities submitted their action plans highlighting the implementation of the code of practice to reduce emissions of PM_2.5 from the primary aluminium sector. Due to special circumstances and with ECCC’s approval, 1 facility did not submit their PM_2.5 action plan; it will be submitted in 2021.

Requirements and results by facilities for 2019

Verification results

ECCC received and verified the annual reports, which included PAH, TPM, PM_2.5 and sulphur content in fuel data. ECCC reached out to industry to verify the submitted data regarding SO₂ emissions. ECCC was satisfied with responses from facilities and therefore no further actions were required. In addition, ECCC requested 2 facilities to submit missing information. The facilities submitted the corrected reports as requested.

All companies submitted their 2018 annual report by the reporting deadline. All reports were verified by ECCC and indicated that all companies met and maintained their emissions targets for SO₂, TPM, PM_2.5 and PAH for 2018 (refer to the tables below). The PM_2.5 working group was created and is composed of industry, the Aluminium Association of Canada, provinces and ECCC representatives. To date, 3 annual working group meetings have occurred. The working group discussed the results and sampling methods of PM_2.5 measurement campaigns carried out so far, the criteria for setting a quantitative PM_2.5 target and the validation of the method for measuring PM_2.5 emissions from potlines roof vents. Most of the facilities submitted their action plan highlighting the implementation of the code of practice to reduce emissions of PM_2.5 from the primary aluminium sector. Due to special circumstances and with ECCC’s approval, 1 facility did not submit their PM_2.5 action plan; it will be submitted in 2021.

Requirements and results by facilities for 2018

Verification results

ECCC received and verified the annual reports, which included PAH, TPM, PM_2.5 and sulphur content in fuel data. This year, ECCC reached out to industry to verify the data for TPM emission from alumina production and obtained more details on their calculations. No changes to the annual reports were necessary following this verification.