Glossary

Bauxite Residue
Also known as "red mud", this is a slightly alkaline residual slurry following the extraction of alumina in the Bayer process. The residue contains mostly iron and silicon compounds left over from the bauxite.

CI
Alcan's Continuous Improvement initiative.

CLEAN
An internally audited initiative in our Packaging group to ensure that high operating standards are maintained in all facilities.

CO2 Equivalent
The integration of all greenhouse gases based on their global warming potential relative to carbon dioxide emissions.

Dross
An aluminum-laden scum that forms on top of molten aluminum.

Effluent
Generally applies to liquid waste discharged as a result of manufacturing operations.

EMAS
European Eco-Management and Auditing Scheme.

Greenhouse Gas (GHG)
Carbon dioxide (CO2) and other emissions that are believed to contribute to global warming, also known as climate change.

GRI
The Global Reporting Initiative is a multi-stakeholder group focussed on developing and disseminating globally applicable sustainability reporting guidelines.

ISO
International Organization for Standardization.

LCA
Life Cycle Assessments are part of the Product Stewardship process to track the life cycle impact of our products.

LCLL
The Low Caustic Leaching and Liming process developed by Alcan researchers as a means to treat spent potlining.

LME
London Metal Exchange.

NGO
Non-governmental organization stakeholders.

OCNC
Ongoing Cases of Non-Compliance is an inventory of outstanding environmental issues in our business groups.

OECD
Organization for Economic Development and Cooperation.

OHSAS
Occupational Health and Safety Assessment Series.

PAH
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) are environmental contaminants that are primarily derived from the incomplete combustion of any organic material, including fossil or synthetic fuels. In the aluminum industry, PAHs are generated in smelters using older Söderberg technology. PAHs are also generated by forest fires, wood heating and incineration.

PFC
Perfluorocarbons (PFCs) include CF4 and C2F6 gases that have a very high CO2 equivalency and constitute major contributors to greenhouse gas emissions. PFCs generally occur as a result of anode effects in smelting operations.

Pitch
One of the materials from which anodes and cathodes are made. Both an anode and cathode are used in the electrolytic process to make aluminum. Pitch contains high levels of PAHs.

Prebake
Prebaked technology applies to modern anodes used in the smelting process that are "prebaked" as opposed to being baked during the reduction process as with older Söderberg technology. PAHs are captured in the anode-baking furnace during the baking process.

Red Mud
See bauxite residue.

Scrubber
A device used to treat dust and gas fumes. Dry scrubbers use adsorbents to eliminate certain contaminants, while wet scrubbers treat dust and gas fumes through contact with a liquid.

Söderberg
Reduction cell technology used in the smelting process where the anode is made of a block of paste that bakes as it approaches the reaction zone in the cell.

Spent Potlining
This is the residue lining, made up of bricks and carbon, inside the pots used in aluminum smelting. When the lining deteriorates to the point of being replaced, the material becomes spent potlining (SPL).

UBC
Used (aluminum) Beverage Containers.

United Nation's Global Compact
This is a voluntary international initiative launched by the United Nations in 1999 that promotes the development of a more sustainable and inclusive global economy.

VAMS
Value Added Manufacturing System.

VOC
Volatile Organic Compound.

WBCSD
World Business Council for Sustainable Development.

WEF
World Economic Forum.