Environmental responsibility at Sweden’s only primary aluminium smelter

Meet Ida Magnusson, environmental engineer at KUBAL

In Sundsvall, industrial production runs 24/7. Here, primary aluminium is produced at Sweden’s only aluminium smelter—a process that is both energy-intensive and technically complex. At the same time, it is an operation where environmental work, control and long-term responsibility are essential to ensure sustainable production over time.

At the centre of this work is Ida Magnusson, environmental engineer at KUBAL. Her career shows how environmental expertise, curiosity and practical problem-solving go hand in hand in industry—and how environmental work in reality is often less about theory and more about everyday decisions, collaboration and persistence.

Ida Magnusson holds a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science from Mid Sweden University, where she studied Ecotechnology in Östersund after discovering the programme almost by chance. “I had actually missed all the application deadlines. It was mid-summer when I was looking at what was still available, and this programme appeared.” Environmental and sustainability issues had always interested her, but she does not describe her choice as a strategic career plan. Instead, it was curiosity and a desire to work with issues that truly matter.

Unlike many of her colleagues, Ida did not start at KUBAL as a summer worker. As she approached the end of her studies, she began applying for jobs, and it was her mother who told her about an opening for an environmental engineer at KUBAL. “At first, I said I couldn’t apply—I’m not an engineer, I only have a Bachelor’s degree. But she encouraged me to apply anyway.” Ida did—and the process moved quickly. After interviews and assessments, she was soon hired. “I only had one day off between finishing my studies and starting my first job.”

First encounter with industry – from theory to practice

Entering KUBAL’s industrial environment was a significant transition—from academia to heavy industry, from theory to practice. “It was a bit of a shock. Large machines, noise and heat. There is a lot happening at once.”

She describes it with both respect and perspective. The aluminium smelter is a complex working environment, and it takes time to understand the full picture. At the same time, it was precisely this complexity that attracted her.

Her education had provided an important foundation—an understanding that there are rarely ready-made answers. “We learned that there is no single solution. You have to explore, test and investigate, and eventually you find solid ground.” This mindset has proven essential in her role as an environmental engineer at KUBAL.

During her first years at KUBAL, Ida worked extensively with sampling and analysis. She was responsible for parts of the company’s environmental monitoring programme, which defines how samples are collected and analysed in accordance with regulations and permits.

The role involved both laboratory work and practical tasks across the site—on rooftops, in production halls and close to the process. “You switch between different tasks throughout the day.”

Over time, her role has expanded. She has worked in cross-functional teams with production, maintenance, finance and other support functions. Environmental issues in industry are rarely isolated—they often affect the entire operation.

After a few years, Ida also took on periods as acting environmental manager, with increased responsibility for reporting, regulatory contact and overall environmental work. Today, she is a key member of KUBAL’s environmental organisation, working together with colleagues on everything from emissions control to waste management, energy and long-term permitting processes.

Environmental work in practice and close to production

At KUBAL, environmental work is closely connected to production. Ida describes her daily work as varied and rarely predictable. “There is no typical day. It involves a lot of emails, calls, reporting and case handling. People reach out with questions, both big and small.”

She works closely with electrolysis, maintenance and other parts of the operation. Environmental issues are integrated into production—they are not something separate.

A key part of her role is monitoring and analysing emissions. KUBAL uses both manual sampling and automated systems to measure emissions to air and water. In recent years, digitalisation has created new possibilities.

“Now we can monitor emissions in real time. Previously, it could take a week before we saw the results. That makes a huge difference.” This immediate feedback allows the team to act quickly, adjust processes and reduce the risk of deviations.

Where environment and production meet

Working with environmental issues in heavy industry sometimes means saying no. Ida describes it with a sense of humour, but also with realism. “Sometimes we come in like the police. We have to say this is not possible—we have environmental requirements to follow.” It can be seen as an obstacle in the moment, but she emphasises that the goal is always the same: to ensure long-term, sustainable operations.

Environmental work influences decision-making, investments and priorities. It is about interpreting data, understanding root causes and proposing solutions that work in practice.

One early example in Ida’s career involved high sulphur dioxide emissions from a gas cleaning facility. Through careful analysis, it was discovered that a key component was missing. The solution required both technical understanding and clear communication. “We needed to be clear that this had to be addressed in order to meet the requirements.”

Ida is clear that aluminium production involves environmental challenges. At the same time, she sees aluminium as an essential part of the transition. “Aluminium is needed in construction, the automotive industry and many other sectors. It is a material we cannot do without.” She also highlights its strength from a sustainability perspective—aluminium can be recycled repeatedly without losing quality, making it a key resource in a circular economy.

At KUBAL, extensive recycling and recirculation already take place on site. Much of what is used in the process is recovered and reused—something she believes is not always widely known. “There is a perception that we only emit and do not take responsibility. But a lot is actually recirculated and reused.”

Colleagues, collaboration and work environment

When Ida describes KUBAL as a workplace, she often returns to her colleagues. “We are a close team. It is enjoyable to come to work.”

The environmental department consists largely of women, and she describes a culture built on trust, collaboration and openness. At the same time, the role involves many points of contact with production, management and external stakeholders. She feels she has the opportunity to influence both her own work and the company’s direction. “I feel that I can make an impact—both in what we work on and what we prioritise.”