Sustainability
Sustainability at JAI is not an add-on, we see sustainability as a fundamental part of our responsibility towards society, the environment, and future generations. It is integrated into how we operate, develop, and grow.
Whether it is reducing our carbon footprint, fostering innovation, investing in people, or promoting responsible material use, we are committed to doing business in a way that is responsible, transparent, and future-ready.
We believe that responsible innovation, production and efficient use of resources go hand in hand with competitiveness and long-term success. That is why we work with Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors and the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals – with a particular focus on goals 7, 8, 9 & 12.
Environment (E) – Responsible Use of Resources
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• 90% of the aluminum used in our production is recycled > reducing demand for virgin/primary aluminium
• Only 0.63 tons CO₂ per ton of secondary aluminum – far below the European average of 7 tons CO₂ per ton of virgin/primary aluminium.
• 95% reuse of the sand used for cores in our casting operations > ensuring circular material flows
• Heat recovery: Utilization of excess heat from our foundry processes
• We offer products produced using:
- o Biogas, Certified by Energinet
o Electricity, green power certified
• “Energy Guardians” selected among our employees with the aim of promoting energy efficiency
Social (S) –
People and Progress
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• Safe and inclusive work environment, with strong focus on employee well-being
• Apprenticeship programs to grow the next generation of foundry specialists
• Employee development programs focused on lifelong learning and upskilling
• Member of the Confederation of Danish Industry (DI) and part of a collective agreement that ensures fair working conditions
Governance (G) – Transparency and Responsibility
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• Employee-elected board members ensure that the voice of our workforce is heard at the highest decision-making level
• Supply chain responsibility through SAQ 5.0 and supplier ESG assessments, including Internal ESG governance
• Participation in CDP and EcoVadis for transparency and benchmarking
• Contributing to customer Scope 3 emissions reporting by providing accurate product-related sustainability data
• Certified management systems:
- o ISO 9001 (Quality Management)
o IATF 16949 (Automotive Industry Quality)
Maximizing the use of recycled materials and green energy
We take a circular approach to materials — both in how we source raw materials and how we manage by-products from casting. As a permanent material, aluminum can be recycled indefinitely without loss of mechanical properties. That’s why approximately 90% of the aluminum we use is secondary aluminum – sourced from recycled scrap and optimized alloy flows.
Secondary aluminum – the foundation of circular casting
Secondary aluminum is not just lower in CO₂ emissions, it is also a vital part of industrial circularity.
When alloy or purity requirements cannot be met internally, scrap is separated and reprocessed into secondary ingots via external partners. This ensures maximum material recovery and reduces waste across the supply chain.
Emissions perspective:
European average for primary aluminum production has a CO₂ footprint of approx. 7.0 tons CO₂/ton.
We source low-carbon primary aluminum,with a CO₂ footprint of 4.57 CO₂/ton and can reach as low as 4.0 tons CO₂/ton with a certificate .
In contrast, our secondary aluminum delivers an average of only 0.63 tons CO₂/ton, making it the clear choice whenever technical specifications allow.
We actively encourage our customers to choose recycled material solutions and collaborate to adapt alloy requirements where feasible — contributing to lower Scope 3 emissions and circular production footprints.
Sand cores and reuse
As a gravity die casting foundry, JAI produces casted parts using both metal moulds and sand cores, depending on complexity and internal geometry requirements. The sand core process is optimized for circularity:
95% of core sand is reclaimed and reused through controlled internal processing.
The remaining 5% waste sand is collected and repurposed for other industrial applications.
This closed-loop approach to both aluminum and sand materials is a key part of our commitment to minimizing resource consumption and reducing environmental impact.
Energy and Customer Collaboration on Climate Impact
Our foundry in Herning is located in an area of Denmark with a high share of renewable electricity in the public grid. According to Energinet (Denmark’s national transmission system operator), more than 70% of the electricity distributed in our region in 2023 and 2024 was sourced from renewable energy.
This strong green baseline enables us to manufacture castings with a significantly reduced carbon footprint, even before any additional climate optimization.
Verified low-emission production – tailored to customer needs
To help our customers reduce their product-related CO₂ impact, we offer the option of low-emission production, including:
- Biogas, certified by Energinet
- 100% green electricity, delivered with official Danish power certificates
These certified sources can be linked to production batches and products, helping our customers meet Scope 3 reporting requirements and sustainability goals in a verified and auditable way.
Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) collaboration and Scope 3 data
At JAI we recognize that our customers increasingly rely on LCA data and emission transparency during product development, procurement and production. That is why we engage in customer collaboration to provide environmental data.
Together, we can create solutions that are not only technically strong, but climate-smart and fully documentable.
Efficient Energy Utilisation and Continuous Improvement
As part of our commitment to sustainable operations, JAI has implemented a range of measures to optimize energy use and minimize waste throughout our production. One of the most impactful actions is the capture and reuse of excess heat generated during manufacturing, including our foundry processes and compressed air systems.
Rather than letting this energy go to waste, we repurpose it as a valuable secondary heat source for internal facility needs, contributing to reduced demand for external heating and more efficient overall energy flows.
Team-driven approach to Energy innovation
We recognize that sustainability is a continuous journey. That is why we have established a dedicated energy team, composed of employees from across the organization, to drive ongoing improvements and explore new opportunities. This team is responsible for identifying energy-saving potential, challenging existing practices, and supporting cross-functional learning.
Through this structured approach, we aim to:
- Reduce our environmental impact
- Improve energy productivity
- Empower employees to contribute to positive change
- Support both our own and our customers’ sustainability goals
Our efforts in energy efficiency are not only technical challenges, they reflect our commitment to responsible production and employee engagement just as we understand that sustainability is a journey, not a destination.
Social responsibility
Beyond environmental responsibility, we also prioritize social responsibility. We strive to create a diverse and inclusive workplace, offering flexible job opportunities to promote work-life balance and support individuals from all backgrounds. This is important as we understand that our operations extend beyond the factory walls, impacting the lives of individuals and families in our community.
Being a danish company, it is a fundamental part of our culture to focus on Environmental, Social and Governance factors”, and we believe that our commitment to ESG benefits not only the environment and our community, but also contributes to the long-term success of our business.
JAI and the United Nation's 17 Sustainable Development Goals
We are committed to the United Nation’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals as a central part of our responsibility toward both society and the environment. We actively work to integrate sustainable solutions that support several of these goals – from climate action and responsible consumption to decent jobs and gender equality. By taking concrete steps today, we contribute to a future where economic growth, social responsibility, and environmental sustainability go hand in hand.
For us, it is about making a real difference and creating a positive impact, both locally and globally.
JAI's Selected UN Sustainable Development Goals
Sustainable Energy
Universal access to affordable, reliable, and modern energy must be ensured, including a transition to sustainable energy sources, improved energy efficiency, and expanded infrastructure to support clean and renewable energy for all.
7.2: Increase the share of renewable energy
• JAI uses an energy mix consisting of approx. 70% renewable electricity and 25–30% biogas in its production.
7.3: Improve energy efficiency
• Our energy optimization efforts include heat recovery from foundry operations.
We continuously monitor and reduce energy consumption per ton of aluminum produced.
Decent Work and Economic Growth
8.2: Higher economic productivity must be achieved through diversification, technological upgrading, and innovation, including a focus on high value-added and labor-intensive sectors.
• JAI is among Europe’s most automated aluminum foundries, investing in simulation tools and lean processes to improve efficiency.
• In 2023, we resumed our apprenticeship program and work purposefully with well-being.
• We invest in employee development and prioritize a healthy and safe working environment.
• JAI’s culture is based on responsibility, flexibility and collaboration.
Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
9.4: By 2030 upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource use efficiency and greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies and industrial processes, all countries taking action in accordance with their respective capabilities.
• JAI uses 90% recycled aluminum and reaches 0.63 tons of CO₂ per ton of secondary aluminum produced – far below the European average (7 tons/ton).
• We use MAGMA simulation software to optimize material flow, reduce waste, and improve product quality.
Responsible Consumption and Production
12.2: By 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources.
• JAI encourages customers to choose secondary (recycled) aluminum whenever technically feasible, helping to reduce the demand for primary raw materials.
• As a result, the majority of our production is based on recycled aluminum, contributing to a significantly lower environmental footprint.
• We implement closed-loop production principles, including 95% reuse of core sand and internal scrap reintegration, to maximize material efficiency.
12.5:
By 2030, substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recucling and reuse.
• Our production processes are optimized to minimize scrap and rework, and we document material efficiency and waste.
12.6: Companies, especially large and transnational companies, should be encouraged to adopt sustainable practices and integrate sustainability information into their reporting cycles.
• JAI actively reports to CDP, EcoVadis, and participates in SAQ 5.0, ensuring transparency and accountability in ESG.