Novelis electric pusher furnace cuts energy use 25 percent at Swiss aluminum plant

Novelis has started operating its first electric pusher furnace at its Sierre, Switzerland plant. The furnace heats aluminum ingots before rolling and replaces a natural gas system. The company expects a 25 percent reduction in energy consumption and 4,500 metric tons of CO2 equivalent saved per year, using the local Swiss power mix which has low carbon intensity. This shifts emissions from Scope 1 to Scope 2 but results in a net total reduction. The furnace came out of the Net Zero Lab Valais initiative launched in 2022 with local energy distributor Oiken and research institutions. The plant aims for carbon neutral Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2030. Novelis is also working on supplying waste heat to the city of Sierre's district heating system. This shows how industrial heat electrification can deliver measurable decarbonization when paired with a clean grid.