Aluminium
The Digital Product Passport for Aluminium
The aluminium delegated act, primary versus secondary metal, alloy traceability, embodied energy and how to declare recycled content credibly.
Aluminium is the second intermediate product in the ESPR Working Plan, with an indicative delegated act year of 2027. What defines it for DPP purposes: primary (from ore) and secondary (from scrap) aluminium differ enormously in carbon intensity.
Critical data fields
| Field | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Production route | Primary / secondary / mixed |
| Electricity source | The main driver of carbon intensity |
| Alloy grade | For recycling and reuse |
| Recycled content | With pre/post-consumer distinction |
| Embodied carbon | kg CO2e per tonne, with method declared |
| Origin facility | CBAM and traceability |
See proving recycled content and how to calculate a PCF.
The circular value of alloy traceability
Aluminium is theoretically infinitely recyclable, but in practice alloy mixing destroys value. Mixing series (1xxx, 3xxx, 5xxx, 6xxx) leaves material usable only as casting alloy.
Carrying alloy grade in the passport directly improves a recycler's sorting decision — one of the most concrete examples of circularity in practice. See circularity and recyclability.
CBAM scope
Aluminium is one of the CBAM commodities, so embedded emissions must be declared at import. DPP and CBAM feed on the same plant data. See CBAM and the DPP.
Construction and automotive links
Aluminium profile and sheet are intermediate products in everything from façade systems to vehicle body parts. Demand from those two sectors arrives before regulation. See DPP for construction products and DPP in automotive.
Preparation steps
- Make production route and energy source data reportable per plant.
- Digitise alloy and cast traceability.
- Record the source of scrap input (pre- or post-consumer).
- Choose and document your embodied carbon method and answer customer requests from one template.
Frequently asked questions
Is secondary aluminium automatically "green"?
Its energy intensity is markedly lower, but collection, sorting and remelting also produce emissions. The declaration must rest on a stated method.
How do I declare a share when using mixed scrap?
Through mass balance, declaring the method and the balancing period. See proving recycled content.
When is the aluminium delegated act expected?
Indicatively 2027 in the Working Plan, with the obligation estimated at 2028–2029. See the timeline guide.
