Novelis Commissions First Electric Pusher Furnace at Sierre Aluminum Plant

Aluminum  |  2026-06-15 07:42:06   |   By

In addition, the upgrade is projected to lower overall energy consumption by around 25%.

Summary
  • Major Decarbonization Milestone - Novelis has commissioned its first electric pusher furnace at its Sierre plant in Switzerland, advancing its carbon-neutral manufacturing goals.
  • Lower Emissions and Energy Use - The new furnace is expected to reduce annual CO₂-equivalent emissions by about 4,500 tonnes and lower energy consumption by approximately 25%.
  • Model for Future Deployment - Developed through the Net Zero Lab Valais initiative, the technology could be expanded across Novelis' global manufacturing network.

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): Leading aluminum producer Novelis Inc. has successfully commissioned its first electric pusher furnace at its Sierre manufacturing facility in Switzerland. This marks a significant step forward in advancing the company’s long-term decarbonization goals.

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The newly installed electric pusher furnace is used to heat aluminum ingots before they enter the rolling process. The replacement of the previous natural gas-fired system with electricity sourced from Switzerland’s relatively low-carbon power grid is expected to reduce the company’s annual greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 4,500 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent. In addition, the upgrade is projected to lower overall energy consumption by around 25%.

According to Serge Gaudin, Plant Manager of Sierre and Director of Recycling Plants for Novelis in Europe, the project supports the company’s ambition to achieve carbon-neutral operations at the facility, in line with its broader 3×30 decarbonization strategy.

The electric furnace concept emerged from the Net Zero Lab Valais, a collaborative project launched in 2022 by Novelis, energy distributor OIKEN, HES-SO Valais-Wallis, and EPFL.

Novelis plans to potentially deploy similar technologies across its global manufacturing network.