Aluminum Can

Material Composition Assumptions

Standard aluminum beverage cans contain approximately 12.5 grams of aluminum metal comprising both primary and recycled sources. The material breakdown includes 73% post-consumer recycled aluminum content and 27% primary aluminum derived from bauxite ore processing. During manufacturing, an additional 20-30% process scrap is generated and immediately recycled back into production, though this internal recycling does not count toward the post-consumer recycled content percentage. The can wall thickness averages 0.1 millimeters for the body and slightly thicker for the bottom and top sections to maintain structural integrity during filling and transportation.

Manufacturing Geography

Aluminum can production occurs primarily in North America and Europe, with facilities located near major beverage brands and regional distribution centers. North American manufacturing relies on an electricity grid mix averaging 450 gCO2/kWh, which includes natural gas, coal, nuclear, and renewable sources. This region was selected for the baseline assessment due to its established aluminum recycling infrastructure and moderate grid carbon intensity compared to coal-heavy regions. The proximity to both primary aluminum smelters in Canada and recycled aluminum processors in the United States creates an integrated supply chain that balances cost efficiency with carbon performance.

Regional Variation

Manufacturing Region	Grid Intensity	Estimated CCI Score	Adjustment vs Default
North America	450 gCO2/kWh	48	Baseline
Europe (Hydropower)	300 gCO2/kWh	35	-27%
China (Coal-Heavy)	850 gCO2/kWh	95	+98%
Brazil (Hydro-Rich)	180 gCO2/kWh	28	-42%
India (Coal-Dominant)	950 gCO2/kWh	105	+119%

Provenance Override Guidance

1. Submit certified aluminum sourcing documentation showing the percentage breakdown between primary aluminum sources by country and recycled content verification from accredited recycling facilities.

2. Provide electricity consumption data for the specific can manufacturing facility along with grid emission factors or renewable energy certificates for the production period.

3. Supply transportation distance and mode documentation for raw aluminum delivery from smelter to can manufacturing facility, including any intermediate processing steps.

4. Document end-of-life recycling rates and collection infrastructure for the specific market where cans will be distributed and consumed.

5. Share manufacturing efficiency metrics including material yield rates, process scrap percentages, and energy consumption per thousand cans produced at the specific facility.

Methodology Notes

• The CCI score represents a cradle-to-grave assessment including raw material extraction, manufacturing, transportation, use phase, and end-of-life management for a standard 12-ounce aluminum beverage can
• Scope 3 emissions dominate at 80% due to energy-intensive primary aluminum smelting and upstream supply chain impacts, while direct manufacturing represents only 5% of total emissions
• The functional unit is defined as one aluminum can capable of containing 355 milliliters of beverage with standard food-grade interior coating
• Transportation beyond the manufacturing gate to filling facilities and retail distribution is excluded from the current assessment boundary
• Beverage-specific impacts including filling, labeling, and packaging are not included in the can-only assessment
• Regional variation primarily stems from electricity grid carbon intensity differences in aluminum smelting operations rather than can manufacturing itself
• Data gaps exist around specific alloy compositions and coating materials which represent less than 2% of total mass