Pressing need for stronger transparency in manufacturing for a more successful green transition

Currently, there is a notable demand for materials such as aluminium and steel to build the infrastructure needed for the green transition. But for electric cars, buildings and other infrastructure to be truly sustainable, more focus must be placed on zero-emission materials.

Today, the aforementioned materials in demand represent roughly a quarter of the planet’s carbon footprint, and most of it is still produced using fossil fuels. Therefore, stronger traceability and transparency in manufacturing is necessary to accelerate change.

Looking beyond material properties

Renewable power infrastructure, electric cars and modern energy-efficient buildings only do half the job, unless the materials used in production are de-carbonised. In order to get to net zero, efforts must be made to intensify the green transition of the materials sector.

Building the greener infrastructure of tomorrow is going to need significantly more raw materials but also different, lighter materials such as aluminium. Towards 2030, the metal is expected to notice a substantial growth in demand as an enabler for the transition.

The most ambitious players in the market are now looking beyond material properties. For new technologies to serve as solutions to the climate crisis, attention must turn from emissions during the use phase to the embedded emissions.

The push and pull factor

Therefore, in addition to accelerating the roll out of transformative technologies, it is also important to think about how the raw material intensive enablers are manufactured. Materials needed for the transition must be produced more sustainably and responsibly.

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There needs to be knowledge about, demand for – and a readiness to pay for – products produced through the extra diligence needed to realise the low-carbon economy. They should be a broader pull from markets and a push from regulators to reward greener investments.