June 2, 2020

The Sustainability of Aluminum Use

The United States is under extreme social pressure to find a more fuel-efficient future.  Aluminum can be a viable solution, as it is strong, lightweight, and highly recyclable. Aluminum products like precast shapes for aluminum furnaces or coated aluminum roofs can drastically lower carbon emissions and energy costs. Aluminum has a 20% small energy consumptions over steel in the life cycle of applications within the transportation industry. Overall, the aluminum could be a way to revolutionize the world’s energy needs.

Aluminum Alloy TubeAluminum Production and Use

Over the past few years, there have been significant advances made to keep new aluminum production as eco-friendly as possible in addition to improving the areas of aluminum use. In areas of transportation, the use of aluminum increases the fuel efficiency of vehicles from cars to tanks since it is a lightweight material. In construction, the 95% light-reflectivity of aluminum products in solar cells increases the energy production efficiency and contributes to enhanced cooling efficiencies. Primary and secondary processes for aluminum are all being assessed for environmental sustainability.

Aluminum Recycling

The competitive advantage of using aluminum is that the metal is 100% recyclable. This reduces costs and establishes more creativity with product development. Recyclable materials reduce the environmental impact of both use and waste. These are advantages that help create jobs since the reduced costs translate into savings for the consumer. Favorable price points expand market opportunities.
Sustainability will need to be a key hallmark of any North American industry, and the aluminum industry has been at the forefront of researching the environmental impact of the various stages of life. Whether it is sourcing raw materials, the production processes, or the disposal and recycling needs, aluminum is a good choice for sustainability programs in a variety of industries. Companies can work with the Aluminum Association to get a better grip on the environmental impact of working with aluminum products.


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