Nov 5 2007
The subject of climate change and greenhouse gas emissions is prompting five of the world’s largest aluminum companies to send their top executives to the TMS 2008 Annual Meeting & Exhibition to be held March 9-13, 2008, in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA.
Leaders from Alcan, Alcoa, Chalco, Hydro, and Rusal will participate in a plenary session to discuss how to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the wake of growing concern over climate change.
Confirmed participants are Richard Evans, President and CEO, Rio Tinto Alcan; Bernt Reitan, Executive Vice President, Alcoa; and Eivind Reiten, President and CEO, Norsk Hydro; representatives from Chalco and United Company Rusal have yet to be identified.
Halvor Kvande, Ph.D., chief engineer at Hydro in Norway, and organizer of this plenary session, says aluminum companies realize that future profits, competitiveness, and long-term license to operate depend on the sustainability of the environment and finite natural resources. “An increasing number of aluminum companies around the world are facing the realities of climate change and are leading the way by embracing greater environmental responsibility. As such, there is a great need for new technology to further reduce or, preferably, eliminate industrial greenhouse gas emissions.”
The purpose of the plenary session, “Sustainability, Climate Change and Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction,” is to highlight the environmental challenges facing the global aluminum industry. Dr. Kvande says the discussion will focus on strategies and best practices for corporate environmental responsibility. “Aluminum can be a significant part of the solution to climate change as, for example, a highly recyclable material that can be instrumental in the light-weighting of vehicles.” The panel will address economic, social and environmental dimensions of greenhouse gas emissions and climate changes as well as action plans to minimize negative environmental impact and achieve a “greener” future.
The aluminum plenary session is part of the Materials and Society symposia scheduled at the TMS Annual Meeting. There are a total of 56 symposia, which also cover the themes of Light Metals; Extraction, Processing, Structure and Properties; and Emerging Materials. In addition to technical sessions, this annual meeting includes continuing education, lectures, networking events and an exhibition of 150 national and international companies.
This is the 137th annual meeting for The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society (TMS). Last year, 4,000 materials science and engineering professionals from 70 countries attended. TMS is the professional organization encompassing the entire range of materials science and engineering, from minerals processing and primary metals production to basic research and the advanced applications of materials. Included among its professional and student members are metallurgical and materials engineers, scientists, researchers, educators and administrators from more than 70 countries on six continents.