Alcoa Wheel & Transportation Products (AWTP) has announced that its global line of wheel products are now Cradle to Cradle Certified at the Silver level, resulting from material choices and production processes that are environmentally safe and healthy and aluminum that is infinitely recyclable.
Alcoa wheels are the first in the transportation industry to receive certification from the Cradle to Cradle Certified Program, a factor that can be attributed to the uniquely sustainable characteristics of Alcoa aluminum.
The evaluation of Alcoa wheels was conducted by McDonough Braungart Design Chemistry (MBDC), a global sustainability consulting and product certification firm that developed the Cradle to Cradle concept in 1995. This multi-attribute eco-label assesses products for safety to human and environmental health, design for future use cycles, and sustainable manufacturing processes. Products are evaluated for material health, material reutilization, renewable energy use, water stewardship and social responsibility.
“Sustainability is at the heart of Alcoa, our business practices and our products, and something we strive for excellence in,” said Tim Myers, President, Alcoa Wheel & Transportation Products. “With an increased interest in sustainable solutions within the transportation industry, this certification is a landmark recognition of our efforts to ensure that each of our customers receives the most safe and environmentally-conscious products we can provide.”
With an ever-growing focus on sustainable solutions, the Cradle to Cradle Certified Product Program has become an important resource for companies like Alcoa to communicate their sustainability efforts. Todate, MBDC has certified nearly 500 products in various industries, and 125 companies worldwide have so far been engaged in the Cradle to Cradle Certified program.
“An industry leader in sustainability, Alcoa has achieved Cradle to Cradle Certified Silver for a number of other products, including Alcoa primary aluminum,” said Jay Bolus, Vice President of Technical Operations, MBDC. “This latest certification demonstrates that Alcoa wheel products are pioneering the way for more sustainable solutions within the transportation industry.
Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, AWTP serves the commercial vehicle, automotive and defense markets with products used in a range of applications, including forged aluminum wheels, premium products such as Dura-Bright, Dura-Flange, LvL ONE and M-Series medium truck wheels, as well as a variety of other aluminum components for these markets. With its three divisions – Commercial Vehicle Wheels, Forged Specialty Wheels and Transportation Products – AWTP employs 1,500 people at 13 locations worldwide.