New Member Spotlight: Novelis

Tell us a little bit about your company: 
What does your company do?  
Novelis Inc. is a leading producer of flat-rolled aluminum products and the world’s largest recycler of aluminum. We work alongside our customers to provide innovative solutions to the beverage can, automotive and high-end specialty markets.

How long have you been in business? 
Our company has been in business for nearly 20 years, having been established in 2005. 

How did your company get started? 
Novelis was originally part of the Canadian company Alcan and was spun off to form a separate business entity in 2005. In 2007, Novelis was acquired by India’s Hindalco Industries, part of the Aditya Birla Group, one of the largest conglomerates in India. 

Tell us about any significant milestones you’ve achieved or innovations you are known for 
Over the years, Novelis has achieved several significant milestones and is known for numerous innovations. We are recognized for our commitment to sustainability and our pioneering efforts in aluminum recycling. In 2011, we announced our commitment to increase the recycled content of our products to 80% by 2020, a goal we have successfully achieved. We are also known for our technological advancements in aluminum production, such as the development of the Novelis Advanz™ series of high-strength, lightweight aluminum alloys for automotive applications. 

Describe an important innovation your company is currently working on:

What is it?  
Novelis is currently working on an important innovation that involves increasing the recycled content in our products. This initiative is a significant step towards improving sustainability and reducing our environmental footprint. 

What problem does it solve? 
The problem this innovation solves is twofold. Firstly, it addresses the growing demand for more sustainable material solutions. As businesses and consumers become more environmentally conscious, there is a pressing need for products that align with these values. By increasing the recycled content in our products, we are providing our customers with a more sustainable alternative that meets their needs and preferences.  

Secondly, this innovation also helps to mitigate the environmental impact of manufacturing processes. Traditional manufacturing methods often involve the extraction and use of raw materials, which can be harmful to the environment. By using more recycled content, we can reduce our reliance on these resources and minimize the associated environmental impact. 

How will this innovation change things for the better? 
This innovation will change things for the better by promoting a more sustainable and responsible approach to manufacturing. It will not only help to conserve natural resources but also reduce waste and pollution. Furthermore, it will also enhance our brand image and reputation as a sustainable and responsible business, which can lead to increased customer loyalty and competitive advantage. 

What are your innovation goals for the future? 
Looking ahead, our innovation goals for the future are ambitious but necessary. We aim to become carbon neutral by 2030. This means that we will strive to balance the amount of carbon dioxide we produce with the amount we remove from the atmosphere. Achieving this goal will require continuous innovation and improvement in all aspects of our operations, from product design and manufacturing to logistics and waste management. We are committed to this journey and believe that it is not only possible but also essential for the long-term success and sustainability of our business. 

The IRI focuses on top innovation growth drivers as determined by your peers each year. Which of our growth drivers are you most interested in—and why?
At Novelis, we are particularly interested in two of the IRI’s Innovation Growth Drivers: Enhancing sustainability and Building a resilient supply chain.  

Enhancing sustainability is a key focus for us as we are committed to increasing the recycled content in our products and becoming carbon neutral by 2030. We believe that sustainability is not just a corporate responsibility, but also a key driver of innovation and growth. We are interested in learning more about how other companies are approaching this challenge and how we can apply these insights to our own sustainability efforts.  

Building a resilient supply chain is another area of interest for us. In today’s volatile and uncertain business environment, having a resilient supply chain is crucial for maintaining business continuity and meeting customer needs. We are keen to understand how other companies are building resilience into their supply chains and how we can leverage these strategies to strengthen our own supply chain. 

Are there any other topic areas you would like us to focus on? 
In terms of other topic areas, we would be interested in exploring the role of innovation in driving customer engagement and loyalty. As customer expectations continue to evolve, we believe that innovation can play a key role in meeting these expectations and creating a superior customer experience. We would appreciate insights and best practices on how to leverage innovation to enhance customer engagement and loyalty. 

What do you hope to gain by being a member of the IRI? 
As a member of the IRI, Novelis hopes to gain valuable insights and knowledge from a diverse network of industry leaders and innovators. We believe that being part of this community will provide us with unique opportunities to learn from the experiences and best practices of other companies, which can help us to drive our own innovation efforts and achieve our strategic goals.  

We also hope to contribute to the IRI community by sharing our own experiences and learnings. We believe that collaboration and knowledge sharing are key to driving innovation and progress in any industry, and we are committed to playing an active role in this process.  

Furthermore, we see our IRI membership as an opportunity to stay abreast of the latest trends and developments in innovation. This can help us to anticipate changes in the business environment and adapt our strategies accordingly.  

Lastly, we hope that our IRI membership will provide us with opportunities to collaborate with other companies on joint innovation projects. We believe that such collaborations can lead to synergies and breakthrough innovations that can benefit all parties involved.