Novelis is contributing to the ambitious regeneration of Torre Seta, a prominent building in Milan undergoing full refurbishment following a severe fire in 2021. Designed by Studio Marco Piva, the project reflects a thoughtful approach to urban regeneration, combining technical precision, resilience and modern architectural expression.

Rather than demolishing the structure, the project team opted for a sustainable transformation that preserves the reinforced concrete core while introducing a highperformance, contemporary façade. Completion is expected around mid2026.

As part of this redevelopment, Novelis supplied 35 tons of aluminium made from 90% recycled content, produced at our plant in Pieve Emanuele plant in Italy. Delivered as Super Windy® coils, the material is engineered to meet demanding architectural requirements. Its excellent bending properties, durable coating elasticity and strong resistance to aggressive environmental agents make it particularly well suited for façade applications requiring longterm performance and visual consistency.

A key requirement for Torre Seta’s refurbishment is enhanced fire safety. The new façade features noncombustible aluminium panels classified A2s1, d0 according to EN 135011:2018, ensuring compliance with stringent European firesafety standards. In addition to their technical performance, the powdercoated and pressfolded aluminium panels deliver a distinctive architectural appearance that defines the building’s renewed identity within Milan’s evolving urban landscape.

Torre Seta is a perfect example of how aluminium can enable low-carbon urban regeneration. By combining fire safety, recyclability, and design flexibility, we help architects and developers create buildings with modern aesthetics that also meet today’s environmental and safety standards.”

– Laura Basile, Director Operations, Novelis Italy

Torre Seta demonstrates how existing structures can be transformed rather than replaced, turning a past critical event into an opportunity for regeneration. After the fire that affected the former building, resilience and material performance became central to our design approach. Working with Novelis’ low carbon, high recycled aluminium allowed us to combine sustainability with advanced façade engineering, ensuring durability, fire performance and long-term adaptability. Furthermore, the selection of powder-coated, folded aluminium panels for the façade, fully recyclable at the end of their life cycle, helps minimize the project’s environmental impact, ensuring greater sustainability over the long term. The result is an architectural skin that embodies environmental responsibility, technical precision and structural endurance.

– Project Manager Giuseppe Enea of Studio Marco Piva, the architectural firm that designed the new building.

The Torre Seta project demonstrates how low carbon aluminium solutions can support the development of resilient, sustainable cities, balancing safety, performance and architectural ambition.

Novelis and Fives have successfully upgraded three aluminium melting furnaces at Novelis’ site in Voerde, Germany, achieving a more than 40% reduction in carbon footprint and significantly lowering gas consumption.

Novelis and Fives have completed the revamping of three secondary aluminium melting furnaces at Novelis’ facility in Voerde, Germany. This joint project marks an important step forward in the decarbonization of industrial processes and highlights the shared commitment of both companies to sustainability and innovation.

High-Performance Combustion Technology Drives Sustainability

In close collaboration, Novelis and Fives upgraded three existing melting furnaces at Novelis’ plant in Voerde, Germany, with Fives’ state-of-the-art North American^® regenerative technology. The North American TwinBed^® II burners, manufactured by Fives, are recognized for their energy efficiency, low emissions and robust design. From engineering and design to commissioning, the project was fully managed by Fives’ North American Combustion’s teams based in Bilbao, Spain.

The final furnace was commissioned recently, resulting in a carbon footprint reduction of over 40%, based on gas consumption compared to pre-upgrade levels measured in mid-2023 at the Voerde casthouse.

Strengthening a Long-Standing Partnership

“Sustainability is at the core of Novelis’ business model,” said Emilio Braghi, Executive Vice President and President Novelis Europe. “With our company vision, Novelis 3×30, we’ve set ambitious goals to advance circularity and decarbonization by 2030. The upgrade of our three melting furnaces represents a practical advancement in reducing our environmental footprint and improving operational efficiency.”

“This project represents a new milestone in our long-standing collaboration with Novelis, which began nearly two decades ago,” added Pablo Arribalzaga, Managing Director for Europe at Fives North American Combustion. “We are proud to support Novelis’ sustainability journey with high-performance, low-emission combustion solutions tailored to their operations.”

This achievement further strengthens the partnership between Novelis and Fives in Germany, built over many years through a series of successful joint projects and a shared commitment to more sustainable and efficient industrial solutions.

Aluminium façade with >90% recycled content combines design and functionality

In the heart of Chemnitz, this year’s European Capital of Culture, the Johanniskarree has emerged as a forward-looking building complex that unites urban diversity and modern architecture. Spread across nine levels, the project includes retail spaces, a health center, a training facility, a hotel, and residential units. It is a development that significantly shapes the urban evolution of the region.

Sustainability Meets Design

As a global leader in sustainable aluminium solutions, Novelis is proud to have contributed to the façade design of this exceptional construction project. Large-format aluminium panels with a thickness of 3 millimeters were used for the ventilated curtain façade. These panels were made from billets with a guaranteed recycled content of at least 90%, including both pre-consumer and post-consumer material. The project exemplifies circular economy principles and the “Cradle to Cradle” approach that Novelis has consistently pursued for years.

“As a partner to the construction industry, we are committed to ensuring that our materials not only enable design freedom but also actively contribute to climate protection. Aluminium recycling saves 95% energy and emissions compared to primary aluminium,” emphasizes Jörg Pollmann, Sales Lead Specialties, Novelis Europe.

Pictures: SCHRAG Fassaden GmbH

Premium Materials for an Elegant Appearance

Novelis HRC57S®, anodized aluminium, was used for the facade design of the Johanniskarree, serving as the basis for the powder coating in this project. HRC57S® provides an outstanding AlMg1 quality for decorative batch anodizing with superior bending and non-combustible properties. Approximately 75 tonnes of aluminium were installed across an area of around 3,500 square meters, contributing significantly to the building’s elegant appearance.

Precision in Planning and Execution

Together with bhss Architekten from Leipzig, SCHRAG Fassaden GmbH developed the distinctive geometry of this curtain façade and translated the architecture into a 3D model for detailed planning and installation. Both the substructure of the bolt-hung façade and the production of the parametrically folded cassettes were carried out at SCHRAG Fassaden’s Chemnitz facility. The result is an elegant, almost timeless façade that impresses not only with its design but also highlights the performance of sustainable aluminium products.

A Showcase for Sustainable Construction

For Novelis, this project is a prime example of how aesthetics, functionality, and sustainability can be successfully combined. The aluminium solutions used demonstrate how resource-efficient construction and sophisticated architecture can go hand in hand.

The Johanniskarree stands as a visible symbol of the potential of sustainable building concepts. With its materials, Novelis helps shape the development of this project and leaves a lasting mark on the cityscape of Chemnitz.

For more Information also read: Heinze Architekten-Newsletter KW 45/2025 here.

Novelis Inc. is driven by its purpose of shaping a sustainable world together. We are a global leader in the production of innovative aluminium products and solutions and the world’s largest recycler of aluminium. Our ambition is to be the leading provider of low-carbon, sustainable aluminium solutions and to achieve a fully circular economy by partnering with our suppliers, as well as our customers in the aerospace, automotive, beverage can and specialties industries throughout North America, Europe, Asia and South America. Novelis had net sales of $17.1 billion in the fiscal year 2025. Novelis is a subsidiary of Hindalco Industries Limited, an industry leader in aluminium and copper, and the metals flagship company of the Aditya Birla Group, a multinational conglomerate based in Mumbai. For more information, visit novelis.com.

Strategic Partnership Driving Innovation in Sustainable Aluminium Solutions

The VELUX Group, a global leader in roof windows and skylights and Novelis has signed a long-term commercial agreement to accelerate decarbonization in the building industry. This strategic partnership for low-carbon solutions will see VELUX roof windows and accessories manufactured using flat-rolled aluminium made from over 70% recycled content.

This agreement builds on a 2022 letter of intent to strengthen a shared ambition: reducing CO₂e emissions to a level of < 3 kg CO₂ eq/kg of flat-rolled aluminium used in VELUX roof window coverings and accessories by 2030. The partnership is a shining example of Novelis’ commitment to our Vision 3×30.

This agreement really demonstrates our strong commitment to reach this very ambitious goal within just five years. It also secures the steady supply for several years of a key roof window material with a desirably low carbon footprint. With more than 70% recycled content, this Novelis aluminium is key for our efforts to decarbonise VELUX products.

Klaus Lorentzen, Senior Vice President Products and Innovation, VELUX Group

This partnership with VELUX is a catalyst for transformation and we have made significant progress together in developing alloys that not only meet demanding performance standards but also support a circular economy. At Novelis, we are proud to lead the aluminium industry in advancing high-recycled-content alloys. Partnering with strong brands like VELUX is a testament for sustainable innovation. By giving aluminium scrap new life again and again, we are working towards our 3x30 Vision by becoming the world´s lowest-emissions provider of flat-rolled aluminium.

Michael Hahne, Vice President of Commercial, Novelis Europe

Aluminium is an essential material in VELUX roof windows, particularly for external protection. However, it also represents a major contributor to the company’s scope 3 emissions – those generated across its value chain. By shifting to aluminium with high recycled content, VELUX is taking a major step toward decarbonizing its products.

Recycling aluminium can reduce emissions by up to 95% compared to primary aluminium. The aluminium alloy provided by Novelis to VELUX is specifically optimized for use in roof window production.

Pushing boundaries for low-carbon building materials

Novelis is a leader in driving low-carbon aluminium solutions and has been a supplier to VELUX for more than 40 years. Since 2022, the companies have been collaborating closely to reduce the carbon footprint of the aluminium used in VELUX products. To date, more than 50% of the aluminium supplied by Novelis to VELUX has been replaced with high recycled content, and the partners are working on increasing this amount steadily in the coming years.

Together, VELUX and Novelis are not just reducing emissions – they’re reshaping the future of decarbonize building materials.

For more information please read the official Press Release

Novelis and the VELUX Group have entered into a partnership agreement focused on collaboration for increased product sustainability and carbon reduction. Novelis will provide high-recycled content, flat-rolled aluminum for use in VELUX roof windows.

The multi-year partnership agreement between Novelis and VELUX has a goal to reach below 4.0 kg carbon emitted per kilogram of the supplied rolled aluminium by the end of 2024, which is well below half the average carbon footprint of primary aluminium used in Europe. The partners are aiming for further carbon reductions by 2030.

To achieve this, the companies are collaborating closely to evolve the design of the products so that they can absorb higher recycled content inputs. Recycling aluminium is at the core of Novelis’ sustainability strategy because recycling requires only 5% of the energy and produces up to 95 percent fewer carbon emissions than manufacturing primary aluminium. 

The partnership is a novel approach to how Novelis and VELUX work together. Novelis is more than an aluminium supplier and VELUX more than just a buyer of aluminium. We are working hand in hand to develop new alloys and coating systems that will meet VELUX’s advanced technical and performance requirements, while reducing carbon emissions and energy consumption. VELUX and Novelis will also partner to influence the building and construction industry to improve end of life recycling and circularity of all products used in this segment.

“We are excited that we can help VELUX achieve its ambitious carbon emission reduction goals by supplying low-carbon, sustainable aluminium solutions. As a leader in aluminium sustainability, Novelis recognizes that material innovation and collaboration across the value chain will enable decarbonization, support a circular economy and help us achieve our carbon neutrality goal.”

Stephen Boney, Vice President, Specialty Products, Novelis Europe

Read more about the partnership agreement and the joint approach for carbon reduction in the published press release: VELUX Group takes next step to decarbonise aluminium in roof windows together with Novelis

AL:sust™ Brand Family Leads the Evolution of Sustainability

Novelis’ AL:sust™ brand is a growing family of highly advanced, highly sustainable products. This collection of innovative low-carbon aluminum solutions – containing at least 80% recycled content – is planned for multiple, end-use applications of diverse markets and customer needs.

Taking sustainability to the next level

With AL:sust™, Novelis is taking sustainability to the next level by helping customers decarbonize their products through the use of aluminum alloys made from high amounts of recycled content. At the same time, Novelis continues to provide customers with products that adhere to the highest quality and industry standards. This distinctive brand portfolio demonstrates Novelis’ unwavering commitment to increase recycled content in its industry-leading aluminum products and develop more low-carbon solutions.

>80% recycled content

>74% reduction in CO2 emissions

(compared to average footprint of EU primary aluminum production)

Aluminum recycling only requires 5% of the energy used to produce primary aluminum.

[Source: EUROPEAN ALUMINIUM | A strategy for achieving aluminium’s full potential for circular economy by 2030, April 2020]

Our AL:sust™ products: HRC73A® & HRC57S®

AL:sust™ HRC57S® is a blank anodizing quality for further batch anodizing being used as architectural application for exterior and interior façade cladding.

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AL:sust™ HRC73A® is an already pre-anodized aluminum façade cladding material, ready for further processing and cladding of exterior and interior buildings applications.

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ASI Certified Material

Novelis has the capability to supply ASI certified alloys and has achieved external certification for both the Performance Standard and the Chain of Custody Standard from the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI) across all its European manufacturing sites.

High Recycled-Content Anodizing Quality

Innovative HRC57S® has a recycled content of more than 90%

This new anodizing quality – ready for batch anodizing – expands the Novelis product range of anodizing product solutions for architectural applications with an exceptionally high-recycled content of more than 90%. HRC57S® provides an outstanding AlMg1 quality for decorative batch anodizing with superior bending and non-combustible properties not available in other competitive alloys.

The innovative Novelis product AL:sust™ HRC57S® is available in flat sheet dimensions and as coil for further batch anodizing and processing. It allows architects, fabricators, façade installers, and building owners to achieve more sophisticated and compelling designs while decreasing the carbon footprint of new-build or redesigned structures.

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Independent Test Series

Sustainability, innovation, high quality standards and customer satisfaction are key for Novelis. For this reason, and as part of its development to market maturity, Novelis subjected the anodized recycling quality Novelis AL:sust™ HRC57S® with a recycled content of more than 90%, to a series of tests in which ten different anodizing companies participated. These were selected anonymously by the VOA (Verband für Oberflächenveredelung von Aluminium e.V. [Association for the Surface Treatment of Aluminum] from the association’s members.

In field tests, the material was processed according to the same specifications. The data obtained from these tests reveal the anodizing recycling quality Novelis AL:sust™ HRC57S® – produced and ready for further processing in the batch anodizing process – basically has good decorative anodizing properties. The subjective general assessment of the tested surfaces after the batch anodizing process to evaluate gloss, corrosion and color measurement is generally positive throughout the test series.

As with other aluminum alloys, the use of different aluminum alloys in one project should be avoided to prevent possible color differences.

Applications

Facades

Interior & Decorative

High Recycled Content Coil-Anodized Aluminum

Innovative HRC73A® has a recycled content of more than 90%

This pre-anodized product expands the Novelis product range of anodizing product solutions for architectural applications with an exceptionally high-recycled content of more than 90%. HRC73A® provides an outstanding AlMg1 quality for with permanent metallic gloss, excellent bending properties and non-combustible properties.

The Novelis product AL:sust™ HRC73A® is available as coil or in flat sheet dimensions for direct façade cladding. It allows architects, fabricators, façade installers, and building owners to achieve more sophisticated and compelling designs while decreasing the carbon footprint of new-build or redesigned structures.

Download data sheet

Innovation improves the future – Winner of German Innovation Award 2022

Successful innovation is more than just a new idea – it noticeably improves the future. Novelis AL:sust™ HRC73A® was recognized by the German Design Council with the 2022 German Innovation Award. AL:sust™ HRC73A® won in the category “Excellence in Business to Business – Materials & Surfaces”. The German Innovation Awards honor products and solutions across industries. Solutions that clearly stand out from the crowd thanks to their added value for users and the environment.