August 26, 2024
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
McLean, VA— The U.S. brass rod industry, represented by the Copper Development Association, Inc. (CDA), has secured an independent recycled content certification from GreenCircle Certified, LLC. This certification validates that the industry maintained a minimum of 92 percent recycled content for all outgoing materials cast onsite at participating brass rod mills in 2023, representing over 85 percent of domestic mill shipments. This marks the first widely recognized industry average recycled content claim for a copper or copper alloy semi-finished product form produced in the U.S.
GreenCircle is an internationally recognized third-party certification entity that provides independent verification of sustainability claims related to an organization’s products and operations. The certification process for the U.S. brass rod industry involved quantifying the industry average recycled content in 2023 at the facility level for brass rod mills.
“Brass rod is the epitome of a circular metals system,” said Adam Estelle, CDA’s president and CEO. “This certification independently verifies brass’s exceptional sustainability story at a critical time as the public prioritizes greener products in the transition to a low-carbon economy.”
Brass rod is a versatile engineering material widely used due to its excellent machinability, corrosion resistance, conductivity, and other beneficial properties. It is commonly employed in electrical equipment, plumbing fixtures and fittings, automotive parts, industrial machinery, marine applications, firefighting and healthcare equipment, musical instruments, and many other precision-machined and forged parts. Its unique combination of properties and aesthetic appeal make brass rod suitable for a broad range of applications across multiple industries. In 2022, demand for brass rods, bars and sections in North America was approximately 185,000 metric tons.
“The next generation of engineers and business leaders are seeking out materials and products that align with circular economy principles,” said Tom Christie, Vice President, Commercial for Wieland Chase and Chair of the CDA Alloy Rod, Bar and Sections Council. “Our industry is proud to offer sustainable solutions made almost entirely from recycled content which has now been independently verified.”
For more information on the certification and specific recycled content claims, visit the GreenCircle Certified Product Database.
About CDA
Copper Development Association Inc. (CDA) is a U.S.-based, not-for-profit association of the global copper industry, bringing together the North American copper and copper alloy semis fabricators and global copper mining and production industries. CDA is committed to promoting the proper use of copper materials in sustainable, efficient applications for business, industry and the home.
About GreenCircle Certified, LLC
GreenCircle Certified was established in 2009 after our founders encountered many unsubstantiated claims in the marketplace. GreenCircle is an internationally recognized third-party certification entity whose thorough evaluation process provides independent verification that sustainability claims related to an organization's products and operations are honest, valid, and verified. GreenCircle is ISO 17065 compliant, following industry requirements for bodies certifying products, processes, and services. GreenCircle is recognized by the U.S. Federal Government as a recommended Ecolabel for all federal purchasing, by the Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR), and the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) as a valid third-party certification entity. In today's discerning market, third-party certification is a valuable asset in establishing brand integrity and developing consumer confidence. For more information visit: www.GreenCircleCertified.com
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