Aluminium Recycling in Europe: the Road to High
Aluminium Recycling in Europe: the Road to High
Aluminium Recycling in Europe: the Road to High
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<strong>Alum<strong>in</strong>ium</strong> <strong>Recycl<strong>in</strong>g</strong> <strong>in</strong> <strong>Europe</strong><br />
The <strong>Road</strong> <strong>to</strong> <strong>High</strong> Quality Products<br />
Organisation of<br />
<strong>Europe</strong>an <strong>Alum<strong>in</strong>ium</strong> Ref<strong>in</strong>ers<br />
and Remelters
<strong>Alum<strong>in</strong>ium</strong> <strong>Recycl<strong>in</strong>g</strong> <strong>in</strong> <strong>Europe</strong><br />
The <strong>Road</strong> <strong>to</strong> <strong>High</strong> Quality Products<br />
Organisation of<br />
<strong>Europe</strong>an <strong>Alum<strong>in</strong>ium</strong> Ref<strong>in</strong>ers<br />
and Remelters
2<br />
Preface<br />
Contents<br />
1. <strong>Recycl<strong>in</strong>g</strong>: a Corners<strong>to</strong>ne of <strong>Alum<strong>in</strong>ium</strong> Susta<strong>in</strong>ability 4<br />
Key Players <strong>in</strong> <strong>Recycl<strong>in</strong>g</strong><br />
Recycled <strong>Alum<strong>in</strong>ium</strong>: an Important Raw Material for <strong>the</strong> EU-25<br />
2. Economy: <strong>the</strong> Ma<strong>in</strong> Impetus for <strong>Alum<strong>in</strong>ium</strong> <strong>Recycl<strong>in</strong>g</strong> 8<br />
<strong>Alum<strong>in</strong>ium</strong> <strong>Recycl<strong>in</strong>g</strong>: a Profitable Bus<strong>in</strong>ess Activity<br />
<strong>Alum<strong>in</strong>ium</strong> Scrap Standards <strong>to</strong> Ensure Effective <strong>Recycl<strong>in</strong>g</strong><br />
<strong>Alum<strong>in</strong>ium</strong> Scrap Availability<br />
Cus<strong>to</strong>mers of <strong>the</strong> <strong>Alum<strong>in</strong>ium</strong> <strong>Recycl<strong>in</strong>g</strong> Industry<br />
3. Environment: <strong>the</strong> Commitment of <strong>the</strong> <strong>Alum<strong>in</strong>ium</strong> Industry 12<br />
<strong>Recycl<strong>in</strong>g</strong> M<strong>in</strong>imises…<br />
…Energy Needs<br />
…Use of Natural Resources<br />
…Land Use<br />
…Waste and Pollution<br />
Environmental Impact of <strong>Recycl<strong>in</strong>g</strong><br />
Measur<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> <strong>Recycl<strong>in</strong>g</strong> Performance of <strong>the</strong> <strong>Alum<strong>in</strong>ium</strong> Industry<br />
4. Social Aspects: <strong>the</strong> Small <strong>to</strong> Medium-Size Bus<strong>in</strong>ess Structure<br />
of <strong>the</strong> <strong>Alum<strong>in</strong>ium</strong> <strong>Recycl<strong>in</strong>g</strong> Industry 17<br />
5. Clos<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> Cycle: <strong>the</strong> <strong>Alum<strong>in</strong>ium</strong> <strong>Recycl<strong>in</strong>g</strong> Process 19<br />
Raw Materials<br />
Collection<br />
Treatment<br />
Alloy-Specific Compil<strong>in</strong>g of Scrap<br />
Melt<strong>in</strong>g<br />
Ref<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g<br />
Quality Control<br />
Cast<strong>in</strong>g<br />
Product Range<br />
6. End-of-Life Product <strong>Recycl<strong>in</strong>g</strong>: <strong>the</strong> Route <strong>to</strong> <strong>High</strong> Quality<br />
at Low Cost 28<br />
Transport<br />
Build<strong>in</strong>g<br />
Packag<strong>in</strong>g<br />
7. The <strong>Alum<strong>in</strong>ium</strong> Life Cycle: <strong>the</strong> Never-End<strong>in</strong>g S<strong>to</strong>ry 34<br />
8. Frequently Asked Questions 39<br />
9. Glossary 46<br />
10. Fur<strong>the</strong>r Read<strong>in</strong>g 49<br />
Reverse Cover: Global <strong>Recycl<strong>in</strong>g</strong> Messages
Preface<br />
This brochure is <strong>the</strong> product of years of close collaboration<br />
between <strong>the</strong> <strong>Europe</strong>an <strong>Alum<strong>in</strong>ium</strong> Association (EAA) and <strong>the</strong><br />
Organisation of <strong>Europe</strong>an <strong>Alum<strong>in</strong>ium</strong> Ref<strong>in</strong>ers and Remelters (OEA).<br />
The scope of activities of this unique co-operation is very broad,<br />
cover<strong>in</strong>g all manner of production- and product-related aspects.<br />
This <strong>in</strong>cludes consolidat<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> position of <strong>the</strong> <strong>Europe</strong>an<br />
alum<strong>in</strong>ium <strong>in</strong>dustry with respect <strong>to</strong> exist<strong>in</strong>g recycl<strong>in</strong>g performance,<br />
and improv<strong>in</strong>g awareness of recycl<strong>in</strong>g rates, scrap flow, and scrap<br />
statistics. It also extends <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> management of research and<br />
development projects l<strong>in</strong>ked <strong>to</strong> recycl<strong>in</strong>g, as well as consultation<br />
and support of recycl<strong>in</strong>g-related activities with<strong>in</strong> end-use<br />
markets.<br />
3
4<br />
1. <strong>Recycl<strong>in</strong>g</strong>: a Corners<strong>to</strong>ne<br />
of <strong>Alum<strong>in</strong>ium</strong> Susta<strong>in</strong>ability<br />
<strong>Recycl<strong>in</strong>g</strong> is a major consideration <strong>in</strong><br />
cont<strong>in</strong>ued alum<strong>in</strong>ium use, represent<strong>in</strong>g<br />
one of <strong>the</strong> key attributes of this ubiqui<strong>to</strong>us<br />
metal, with far-reach<strong>in</strong>g economic,<br />
ecological and social implications. More<br />
than half of all <strong>the</strong> alum<strong>in</strong>ium currently<br />
produced <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Europe</strong>an Union (EU-25)<br />
orig<strong>in</strong>ates from recycled raw materials and<br />
that trend is on <strong>the</strong> <strong>in</strong>crease. In view of<br />
grow<strong>in</strong>g end-use demand and a lack of<br />
sufficient domestic primary alum<strong>in</strong>ium<br />
production <strong>in</strong> this part of <strong>the</strong> world,<br />
<strong>Europe</strong> has a huge stake <strong>in</strong> maximis<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong><br />
collection of all available alum<strong>in</strong>ium, and<br />
develop<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> most resource-efficient<br />
scrap treatments and melt<strong>in</strong>g processes.<br />
The importance of efficient alum<strong>in</strong>ium<br />
recycl<strong>in</strong>g will even fur<strong>the</strong>r <strong>in</strong>crease <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
future because of ris<strong>in</strong>g energy constra<strong>in</strong>ts<br />
<strong>in</strong> this region.
The high <strong>in</strong>tr<strong>in</strong>sic value of alum<strong>in</strong>ium<br />
scrap has always been <strong>the</strong> ma<strong>in</strong> impetus<br />
for recycl<strong>in</strong>g, <strong>in</strong>dependent of any<br />
legislative or political <strong>in</strong>itiative. But <strong>in</strong><br />
addition <strong>to</strong> this obvious economic<br />
dimension, grow<strong>in</strong>g environmental<br />
concerns and heightened social<br />
responsibility, especially dur<strong>in</strong>g this last<br />
decade, have served <strong>to</strong> boost <strong>the</strong> recycl<strong>in</strong>g<br />
activity, s<strong>in</strong>ce recycl<strong>in</strong>g requires as little<br />
as 5% of <strong>the</strong> energy needed for primary<br />
alum<strong>in</strong>ium production.<br />
The alum<strong>in</strong>ium economy is a cycle<br />
economy. Indeed, for most alum<strong>in</strong>ium<br />
products, alum<strong>in</strong>ium is not actually<br />
consumed dur<strong>in</strong>g a lifetime, but simply<br />
used. Therefore, <strong>the</strong> life cycle of an<br />
alum<strong>in</strong>ium product is not <strong>the</strong> traditional<br />
"cradle-<strong>to</strong>-grave" sequence, but ra<strong>the</strong>r<br />
a renewable "cradle-<strong>to</strong>-cradle". If scrap<br />
is processed appropriately, <strong>the</strong> recycled<br />
alum<strong>in</strong>ium can be utilised for almost<br />
all alum<strong>in</strong>ium applications, <strong>the</strong>reby<br />
preserv<strong>in</strong>g raw materials and mak<strong>in</strong>g<br />
considerable energy sav<strong>in</strong>gs.<br />
Key Players <strong>in</strong> <strong>Recycl<strong>in</strong>g</strong><br />
The alum<strong>in</strong>ium recycl<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>dustry,<br />
<strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g both ref<strong>in</strong>ers and remelters,<br />
treats and transforms alum<strong>in</strong>ium scrap <strong>in</strong><strong>to</strong><br />
standardised alum<strong>in</strong>ium. Ref<strong>in</strong>ers and<br />
remelters play <strong>in</strong>tegral roles <strong>in</strong> alum<strong>in</strong>ium<br />
recycl<strong>in</strong>g but <strong>the</strong>y, <strong>in</strong> turn, depend on<br />
o<strong>the</strong>r crucial l<strong>in</strong>ks <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> cha<strong>in</strong>. Indeed,<br />
without <strong>the</strong> collec<strong>to</strong>rs, dismantlers,<br />
metal merchants and scrap processors who<br />
deal with <strong>the</strong> collection and treatment of<br />
scrap, <strong>the</strong>y would not be able <strong>to</strong> fulfil<br />
<strong>the</strong>ir roles. The metal merchants are also<br />
responsible for handl<strong>in</strong>g most of <strong>the</strong><br />
foreign trade <strong>in</strong> alum<strong>in</strong>ium scrap.<br />
Input: Sources of <strong>Alum<strong>in</strong>ium</strong> Scrap<br />
Collec<strong>to</strong>rs<br />
Dismantlers<br />
Metal Merchants<br />
Shredders<br />
Processors of Scrap<br />
Processors of Salt Slag<br />
Processors of Skimm<strong>in</strong>gs<br />
Ref<strong>in</strong>ers<br />
Remelters<br />
Output: Recycled <strong>Alum<strong>in</strong>ium</strong><br />
Figure 1: Structure of <strong>the</strong> <strong>Alum<strong>in</strong>ium</strong> <strong>Recycl<strong>in</strong>g</strong> Industry<br />
5
6<br />
1. <strong>Recycl<strong>in</strong>g</strong>: a Corners<strong>to</strong>ne of <strong>Alum<strong>in</strong>ium</strong> Susta<strong>in</strong>ability<br />
Recycled <strong>Alum<strong>in</strong>ium</strong>:<br />
an Important Raw Material<br />
for <strong>the</strong> EU-25<br />
In 2004, approximately 11.4 million <strong>to</strong>nnes<br />
of alum<strong>in</strong>ium were used for <strong>the</strong> production<br />
of fabricated goods <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> EU. Primary<br />
alum<strong>in</strong>ium production <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> EU currently<br />
amounts <strong>to</strong> just 3 million <strong>to</strong>nnes. This<br />
<strong>in</strong> fact means that, without alum<strong>in</strong>ium<br />
recycl<strong>in</strong>g, <strong>the</strong> EU would have <strong>to</strong> import<br />
about 8.4 million <strong>to</strong>nnes of primary and<br />
recycled alum<strong>in</strong>ium <strong>to</strong> meet requirements.<br />
Primary alum<strong>in</strong>ium production <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> rest<br />
of <strong>Europe</strong> yields a fur<strong>the</strong>r 2.2 million<br />
<strong>to</strong>nnes so, even if this figure were added<br />
<strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> equation, <strong>the</strong> EU would still depend<br />
considerably on alum<strong>in</strong>ium imports. This<br />
dependence is substantially alleviated,<br />
however, by <strong>the</strong> recycl<strong>in</strong>g of alum<strong>in</strong>ium.<br />
In 2004, <strong>the</strong> EU produced 4.5 million<br />
<strong>to</strong>nnes of <strong>in</strong>gots for alum<strong>in</strong>ium cast<strong>in</strong>gs,<br />
wrought alum<strong>in</strong>ium (roll<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>gots and<br />
extrusion billets) and deoxidation<br />
alum<strong>in</strong>ium from alum<strong>in</strong>ium scrap.<br />
<strong>Alum<strong>in</strong>ium</strong> <strong>in</strong> 1 000 <strong>to</strong>nnes/year<br />
12 000 80<br />
10 500<br />
9 000<br />
7 500<br />
6 000<br />
4 500<br />
3 000<br />
1 500<br />
0<br />
1980<br />
Ratio<br />
Domestic Primary Production<br />
1985<br />
Figure 2: Ratio: Primary Production / Total Use <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> EU 2<br />
1990<br />
1995<br />
Total Metal Use 1<br />
1 Includes domestic metal production (primary and recycled) and net-metal imports.<br />
2 1980 <strong>to</strong> 1999: EU-15; s<strong>in</strong>ce 2000: EU-25<br />
2000<br />
70<br />
60<br />
50<br />
40<br />
30<br />
20<br />
10<br />
0 Percentage
M<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g<br />
Bauxite<br />
<strong>in</strong> million <strong>to</strong>nnes<br />
Ref<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g<br />
Alum<strong>in</strong>a<br />
<strong>in</strong> million <strong>to</strong>nnes<br />
Metal Production<br />
Primary Metal<br />
Recycled Metal 2<br />
<strong>in</strong> million <strong>to</strong>nnes<br />
Fabrication<br />
Metal<br />
<strong>in</strong> million <strong>to</strong>nnes<br />
Production Import (net) Total<br />
6 Plants<br />
12 Plants<br />
38 Plants 286 Plants<br />
Figure 3: <strong>Alum<strong>in</strong>ium</strong> Sec<strong>to</strong>r <strong>in</strong> <strong>Europe</strong> 1 (2004)<br />
4.6 + 14.5 = 19.1<br />
7.9 + 3.0 = 10.9<br />
5.2 + 4.7 + 2.8 = 12.7<br />
4.4 3.1 3.1 1.1<br />
Rolled<br />
Semis<br />
Extrusions Cast<strong>in</strong>gs Wire Rods, Powder,<br />
Slugs, etc.<br />
57 Plants 300 Plants approx. 2400 Plants<br />
Note: S<strong>in</strong>ce data on each production step are based on <strong>in</strong>dependent statistics<br />
and s<strong>to</strong>ckists are not taken <strong>in</strong><strong>to</strong> account, quantities may not add up.<br />
1 Western and Central <strong>Europe</strong> (former CIS excluded, except Baltic States)<br />
2 Produced from <strong>to</strong>lled and purchased scrap<br />
Bauxite<br />
<strong>in</strong> million <strong>to</strong>nnes<br />
Production<br />
Number of Plants<br />
Net Import<br />
Total<br />
Alum<strong>in</strong>a<br />
<strong>in</strong> million <strong>to</strong>nnes<br />
Production<br />
Number of Plants<br />
Net Import<br />
Total<br />
Metal Production<br />
<strong>in</strong> million <strong>to</strong>nnes<br />
Primary Metal<br />
Number of Plants<br />
Recycled Metal1 Number of Plants<br />
Net Import<br />
Total<br />
Fabrication<br />
<strong>in</strong> million <strong>to</strong>nnes<br />
Rolled Semis<br />
Number of Plants<br />
Extrusions<br />
Number of Plants<br />
Cast<strong>in</strong>gs<br />
Number of Plants<br />
Wire Rods, Powder,<br />
Slugs, etc<br />
<strong>Europe</strong> EU-25<br />
4.6<br />
6<br />
14.5<br />
19.1<br />
7.9<br />
12<br />
3.0<br />
10.9<br />
5.2<br />
38<br />
4.7<br />
286<br />
2.8<br />
12.7<br />
4.4<br />
57<br />
3.1<br />
300<br />
3.1<br />
2400<br />
Figure 4: Comparison – EU-25 and <strong>Europe</strong> (2004)<br />
1.1<br />
Note: refer <strong>to</strong> figure 3<br />
1 Produced from <strong>to</strong>lled and purchased scrap<br />
3.3<br />
4<br />
12.8<br />
16.1<br />
6.6<br />
7<br />
-0.3<br />
6.3<br />
3.0<br />
24<br />
4.5<br />
263<br />
3.9<br />
11.4<br />
4.0<br />
50<br />
2.8<br />
223<br />
2.9<br />
2200<br />
0.8<br />
7
8<br />
2. Economy: <strong>the</strong> Ma<strong>in</strong> Impetus<br />
for <strong>Alum<strong>in</strong>ium</strong> <strong>Recycl<strong>in</strong>g</strong><br />
<strong>Alum<strong>in</strong>ium</strong> <strong>Recycl<strong>in</strong>g</strong>:<br />
a Profitable Bus<strong>in</strong>ess Activity<br />
<strong>Alum<strong>in</strong>ium</strong> scrap has considerable market<br />
value because <strong>the</strong> energy needed for<br />
primary production is s<strong>to</strong>red, <strong>to</strong> a large<br />
extent, <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> metal itself and, consequently,<br />
<strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> scrap <strong>to</strong>o. Therefore, <strong>the</strong> energy<br />
needed <strong>to</strong> melt alum<strong>in</strong>ium scrap is only<br />
a fraction of that required for primary<br />
alum<strong>in</strong>ium production. Fur<strong>the</strong>rmore, it can<br />
be recycled aga<strong>in</strong> and aga<strong>in</strong> without loss<br />
of its <strong>in</strong>herent properties s<strong>in</strong>ce its a<strong>to</strong>mic<br />
structure is not altered dur<strong>in</strong>g melt<strong>in</strong>g.<br />
The economic importance of alum<strong>in</strong>ium<br />
recycl<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> <strong>Europe</strong> cannot be overstated<br />
<strong>in</strong> an alum<strong>in</strong>ium recycl<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>dustry that<br />
effectively tripled its output from about<br />
1.4 million <strong>to</strong>nnes <strong>in</strong> 1980 <strong>to</strong> approximately<br />
4.7 million <strong>to</strong>nnes <strong>in</strong> 2004. The ref<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g<br />
sec<strong>to</strong>r has grown by 53% and <strong>the</strong> recycl<strong>in</strong>g<br />
activity of remelters by a massive 95%.<br />
Dur<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> same time primary metal<br />
production has grown by 17%.
<strong>Alum<strong>in</strong>ium</strong> can be recycled over and over aga<strong>in</strong> without loss of properties.<br />
The high value of alum<strong>in</strong>ium scrap is a key <strong>in</strong>centive and major economic<br />
impetus for recycl<strong>in</strong>g.<br />
From an environmental po<strong>in</strong>t of view,<br />
alum<strong>in</strong>ium recycl<strong>in</strong>g is ecologically<br />
advantageous if <strong>the</strong> environmental impact<br />
of <strong>the</strong> collection, separation and melt<strong>in</strong>g<br />
of scrap is lower than that of primary<br />
alum<strong>in</strong>ium production. The aim of <strong>the</strong><br />
alum<strong>in</strong>ium recycl<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>dustry is <strong>to</strong> recycle<br />
Recycled alum<strong>in</strong>ium 1 <strong>in</strong> 1 000 <strong>to</strong>nnes/year<br />
5 000<br />
4 500<br />
4 000<br />
3 500<br />
3 000<br />
2 500<br />
2 000<br />
1 500<br />
1 000<br />
500<br />
0<br />
1980<br />
1982<br />
1984<br />
1986<br />
Figure 5: Evolution of Recycled <strong>Alum<strong>in</strong>ium</strong> <strong>in</strong> <strong>Europe</strong><br />
1988<br />
1990<br />
1992<br />
1 <strong>Alum<strong>in</strong>ium</strong> produced from <strong>to</strong>lled and purchased scrap<br />
all sources of alum<strong>in</strong>ium scrap, whenever<br />
it is technically feasible, economically<br />
viable and ecological desireable. Material<br />
recycl<strong>in</strong>g is deemed economically viable<br />
if <strong>the</strong> added value exceeds <strong>the</strong> recycl<strong>in</strong>g<br />
costs. In specific cases, for <strong>in</strong>stance for<br />
very th<strong>in</strong> alum<strong>in</strong>ium foil lam<strong>in</strong>ated <strong>to</strong><br />
Trend<br />
1994<br />
1996<br />
1998<br />
2000<br />
2002<br />
<strong>Alum<strong>in</strong>ium</strong> production <strong>in</strong> 1 000 <strong>to</strong>nnes<br />
paper, plastics foils, etc., <strong>the</strong>rmal<br />
<strong>in</strong>c<strong>in</strong>eration and energy recovery is often<br />
preferable <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> recovery of <strong>the</strong> m<strong>in</strong>ute<br />
amount of alum<strong>in</strong>ium metal.<br />
In recent years, a trend <strong>to</strong>wards greater<br />
plant capacity has been observed with<strong>in</strong><br />
5 500<br />
5 000<br />
4 500<br />
4 000<br />
3 500<br />
3 000<br />
2 500<br />
2 000<br />
1 500<br />
1 000<br />
500<br />
0<br />
Ref<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g<br />
Remelt<strong>in</strong>g<br />
1980 2004<br />
Figure 6: Production – 1980 and 2004 – <strong>Europe</strong><br />
Primary Production<br />
9
10<br />
2. Economy: <strong>the</strong> Ma<strong>in</strong> Impetus for <strong>Alum<strong>in</strong>ium</strong> <strong>Recycl<strong>in</strong>g</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> ref<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>dustry. This evolution has<br />
contributed, above all, <strong>to</strong> improvements<br />
<strong>in</strong> melt<strong>in</strong>g and emission reduction<br />
technologies, research and development<br />
activities, and economic efficiency.<br />
<strong>Alum<strong>in</strong>ium</strong> Scrap Standards<br />
<strong>to</strong> Ensure Efficient <strong>Recycl<strong>in</strong>g</strong><br />
Various types of scrap and o<strong>the</strong>r<br />
alum<strong>in</strong>ium-conta<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g reclaimed materials<br />
are used <strong>in</strong> alum<strong>in</strong>ium recycl<strong>in</strong>g. S<strong>in</strong>ce<br />
2003, <strong>the</strong> <strong>Europe</strong>an Standard EN 13920<br />
(parts 1–16) on alum<strong>in</strong>ium and alum<strong>in</strong>ium<br />
scrap, which covers all scrap types, has<br />
been considered <strong>the</strong> norm for scrap<br />
classification. In addition, fur<strong>the</strong>r<br />
classifications at national and <strong>in</strong>ternational<br />
level have been developed on <strong>the</strong> basis<br />
of bilateral agreements, for example,<br />
between associations of metal merchants<br />
and alum<strong>in</strong>ium recycl<strong>in</strong>g smelters. These<br />
standards and classifications are <strong>the</strong> result<br />
of quality control developments, which<br />
have been ongo<strong>in</strong>g for decades.<br />
Number of companies<br />
189<br />
37<br />
1994<br />
2<br />
4<br />
2004<br />
Production of Recycled <strong>Alum<strong>in</strong>ium</strong><br />
< 10 000 <strong>to</strong>nnes/year < 50 000 <strong>to</strong>nnes/year<br />
< 40 000 <strong>to</strong>nnes/year ≥ 50 000 <strong>to</strong>nnes/year<br />
Figure 7: Grow<strong>in</strong>g Capacity with<strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Alum<strong>in</strong>ium</strong><br />
Ref<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g Industry<br />
76<br />
34<br />
11<br />
12<br />
<strong>Alum<strong>in</strong>ium</strong> Scrap Availability<br />
For decades, alum<strong>in</strong>ium recycl<strong>in</strong>g was<br />
a regional concern. <strong>Recycl<strong>in</strong>g</strong> was<br />
traditionally concentrated <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> regions<br />
with high alum<strong>in</strong>ium demand and a well<br />
organised alum<strong>in</strong>ium recycl<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>dustry.<br />
Today alum<strong>in</strong>ium scrap is a global raw<br />
material commodity. Because its supply is<br />
f<strong>in</strong>ite, <strong>the</strong> balance between supply and<br />
demand is fundamentally unstable. Trade<br />
<strong>in</strong> scrap, predom<strong>in</strong>antly with<strong>in</strong> <strong>Europe</strong>,<br />
has always been of vital importance <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
<strong>in</strong>dustry. Because of <strong>the</strong> variability <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
chemical composition and price of scrap,<br />
both ref<strong>in</strong>ers and remelters have become<br />
<strong>in</strong>creas<strong>in</strong>gly specialised over <strong>the</strong> years.<br />
These specialists now apply scrap-specific<br />
treatment processes and melt<strong>in</strong>g, and<br />
operate <strong>in</strong> facilities implement<strong>in</strong>g strict<br />
pollution control practices. If a particular<br />
type of scrap is not available <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> area<br />
where a plant is located, as is often <strong>the</strong><br />
case, import<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> scrap may be <strong>the</strong> best<br />
solution.
Cus<strong>to</strong>mers of <strong>the</strong> <strong>Alum<strong>in</strong>ium</strong><br />
<strong>Recycl<strong>in</strong>g</strong> Industry<br />
There is a well-established market for<br />
recycled alum<strong>in</strong>ium with firmly def<strong>in</strong>ed<br />
distribution cha<strong>in</strong>s. Hence, <strong>the</strong> ref<strong>in</strong>ers<br />
supply <strong>the</strong> foundries with cast<strong>in</strong>g alloys<br />
and <strong>the</strong> remelters supply <strong>the</strong> roll<strong>in</strong>g mills<br />
and extruders with wrought alloys, where<br />
<strong>the</strong> process<strong>in</strong>g of alloy-specific pieces can<br />
ensue. <strong>Alum<strong>in</strong>ium</strong> alloys are supplied<br />
accord<strong>in</strong>g <strong>to</strong> <strong>Europe</strong>an standards and/or<br />
cus<strong>to</strong>mer specifications. Typical products<br />
made from recycled alum<strong>in</strong>ium <strong>in</strong>clude<br />
cast<strong>in</strong>gs like cyl<strong>in</strong>der heads, eng<strong>in</strong>e blocks,<br />
gearboxes and many o<strong>the</strong>r au<strong>to</strong>motive and<br />
eng<strong>in</strong>eer<strong>in</strong>g components on <strong>the</strong> one hand,<br />
and extrusion billets or roll<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>gots for<br />
<strong>the</strong> production of profiles, sheets, strips<br />
and foil on <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r. Ano<strong>the</strong>r prom<strong>in</strong>ent<br />
user of recycled alum<strong>in</strong>ium is <strong>the</strong> steel<br />
<strong>in</strong>dustry which utilises alum<strong>in</strong>ium for<br />
deoxidation purposes.<br />
Ref<strong>in</strong>ers<br />
Deoxidation <strong>Alum<strong>in</strong>ium</strong> Cast<strong>in</strong>g Alloys<br />
Remelters<br />
Steel Industry Foundries Roll<strong>in</strong>g Mills Extruders<br />
Cast<strong>in</strong>gs<br />
Figure 8: Cus<strong>to</strong>mers of <strong>the</strong> <strong>Alum<strong>in</strong>ium</strong> <strong>Recycl<strong>in</strong>g</strong> Industry<br />
Wrought Alloys<br />
Roll<strong>in</strong>g Ingots<br />
Wrought Alloys<br />
Extrusion Billets<br />
Sheets, Strips Extrusions<br />
Fur<strong>the</strong>r Process<strong>in</strong>g Fur<strong>the</strong>r Process<strong>in</strong>g<br />
Rolled Products Extruded Products<br />
11
12<br />
3. Environment:<br />
<strong>the</strong> Commitment of <strong>the</strong><br />
<strong>Alum<strong>in</strong>ium</strong> Industry<br />
The alum<strong>in</strong>ium <strong>in</strong>dustry fully supports<br />
optimal use of energy and materials with<br />
m<strong>in</strong>imal waste and emissions dur<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong><br />
entire life cycle of <strong>the</strong> metal: an <strong>in</strong>tegrated<br />
model of environmentally susta<strong>in</strong>able<br />
<strong>in</strong>dustrial activity. The alum<strong>in</strong>ium <strong>in</strong>dustry<br />
considers recycl<strong>in</strong>g an <strong>in</strong>tegral and<br />
essential part of <strong>the</strong> raw material supply,<br />
underl<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> <strong>in</strong>dustry’s commitment<br />
<strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> susta<strong>in</strong>able use of resources.
<strong>Alum<strong>in</strong>ium</strong> recycl<strong>in</strong>g benefits present and future generations by conserv<strong>in</strong>g<br />
energy and o<strong>the</strong>r natural resources. It saves approximately 95% of <strong>the</strong> energy<br />
required for primary alum<strong>in</strong>ium production, <strong>the</strong>reby avoid<strong>in</strong>g correspond<strong>in</strong>g<br />
emissions, <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g greenhouse gases.<br />
<strong>Recycl<strong>in</strong>g</strong> M<strong>in</strong>imises… …Energy Needs<br />
Primary <strong>Alum<strong>in</strong>ium</strong> Production Cha<strong>in</strong><br />
Recycled <strong>Alum<strong>in</strong>ium</strong> Production Cha<strong>in</strong><br />
Figure 9: Energy Needs for Primary and Recycled <strong>Alum<strong>in</strong>ium</strong><br />
Energy sav<strong>in</strong>gs of up <strong>to</strong> 95% are achieved<br />
per <strong>to</strong>nne of alum<strong>in</strong>ium produced from<br />
scrap compared <strong>to</strong> primary alum<strong>in</strong>ium.<br />
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%<br />
…Use of Natural Resources<br />
In 2004, approximately 19 million <strong>to</strong>nnes<br />
of bauxite, 11 million <strong>to</strong>nnes of coal,<br />
1 million <strong>to</strong>nne of natural gas and 6 million<br />
<strong>to</strong>nnes of crude oil were conserved globally<br />
as a result of alum<strong>in</strong>ium recycl<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong><br />
<strong>Europe</strong> alone1). Almost all alum<strong>in</strong>ium used commercially<br />
conta<strong>in</strong>s one or more alloy<strong>in</strong>g elements <strong>to</strong><br />
enhance its strength or o<strong>the</strong>r properties.<br />
<strong>Alum<strong>in</strong>ium</strong> recycl<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong>refore contributes<br />
<strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> susta<strong>in</strong>able use of copper, iron,<br />
magnesium, manganese, silicon, z<strong>in</strong>c and<br />
o<strong>the</strong>r elements. This effectively means<br />
that, at <strong>to</strong>day’s recycled metal production<br />
of 4.7 million <strong>to</strong>nnes, 230 000 <strong>to</strong>nnes<br />
of alloy<strong>in</strong>g elements are simultaneously<br />
conserved by <strong>the</strong> alum<strong>in</strong>ium <strong>in</strong>dustry <strong>in</strong><br />
<strong>Europe</strong> every year.<br />
13
14 3. Environment: <strong>the</strong> Commitment of <strong>the</strong> <strong>Alum<strong>in</strong>ium</strong> Industry<br />
…Land Use<br />
<strong>Alum<strong>in</strong>ium</strong> scrap is a recyclable, nonhazardous<br />
and valuable raw material,<br />
which is not landfilled. In highly urbanised<br />
regions, landfill space is dw<strong>in</strong>dl<strong>in</strong>g and<br />
<strong>the</strong> construction of new landfill areas is<br />
very costly or not even an option because<br />
of <strong>the</strong> lack of potential sites. If alum<strong>in</strong>ium<br />
would be non-recyclable material and<br />
if <strong>the</strong> <strong>in</strong>dustry would not care about<br />
recycl<strong>in</strong>g, <strong>Europe</strong> would have landfilled<br />
4.7 million <strong>to</strong>nnes more <strong>in</strong> 2004, which<br />
is equal <strong>to</strong> about 2 million m3 of landfill<br />
volume. Hence, as less ground is used for<br />
land-fill<strong>in</strong>g, fewer communities need <strong>to</strong><br />
live beside landfill sites, fewer ecosystems<br />
are destroyed and less money is required<br />
for site ma<strong>in</strong>tenance.<br />
Bauxite deposits are generally extracted by<br />
open cast m<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g. In most cases <strong>the</strong> <strong>to</strong>psoil<br />
is removed and s<strong>to</strong>red. S<strong>in</strong>ce between<br />
4 and 5 <strong>to</strong>nnes of bauxite are required <strong>to</strong><br />
produce 1 <strong>to</strong>nne of primary alum<strong>in</strong>ium and<br />
for each <strong>to</strong>nne of bauxite up <strong>to</strong> 1 m2 of<br />
land is disturbed, <strong>the</strong> land use for m<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g<br />
is reduced by recycl<strong>in</strong>g. Never<strong>the</strong>less,<br />
<strong>the</strong> impact of bauxite m<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g is greatly<br />
lessened by <strong>the</strong> <strong>in</strong>dustry's susta<strong>in</strong>able<br />
post-m<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g rehabilitation measures. In<br />
2002, about 83% of <strong>the</strong> <strong>to</strong>tal m<strong>in</strong>ed area<br />
was rehabilitated, of which 80% was<br />
returned <strong>to</strong> native forests, 10% <strong>to</strong> tropical<br />
forests, 4% <strong>to</strong> commercial forests, 2%<br />
<strong>to</strong> native pasture and <strong>the</strong> rema<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g 4%<br />
was predom<strong>in</strong>antly used for urban and<br />
<strong>in</strong>dustrial development, hous<strong>in</strong>g and<br />
recreational purposes2). …Waste and Pollution<br />
The alum<strong>in</strong>ium <strong>in</strong>dustry has always been<br />
proactive <strong>in</strong> its efforts <strong>to</strong> m<strong>in</strong>imise waste,<br />
landscape disruption and emissions dur<strong>in</strong>g<br />
primary alum<strong>in</strong>ium production, while at<br />
<strong>the</strong> same time striv<strong>in</strong>g <strong>to</strong> <strong>in</strong>crease <strong>the</strong> use<br />
of recycled alum<strong>in</strong>ium. Industry moni<strong>to</strong>r<strong>in</strong>g1) of environmental aspects <strong>in</strong> <strong>Europe</strong><br />
demonstrates <strong>the</strong> follow<strong>in</strong>g approximate<br />
sav<strong>in</strong>gs made when produc<strong>in</strong>g one <strong>to</strong>nne<br />
of recycled alum<strong>in</strong>ium by ref<strong>in</strong>ers versus<br />
primary alum<strong>in</strong>ium (<strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g both direct<br />
and <strong>in</strong>direct emissions):<br />
– 1 370 kg bauxite residues<br />
– 9 800 kg CO2 equivalent<br />
– 64 kg SO2 emissions<br />
Environmental Impact<br />
of <strong>Recycl<strong>in</strong>g</strong><br />
<strong>Europe</strong>an ref<strong>in</strong>ers and remelters are<br />
equipped with state-of-<strong>the</strong>-art technology<br />
(see reference document on Best Available<br />
Techniques <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> Non-Ferrous Metal<br />
Industries by <strong>the</strong> <strong>Europe</strong>an Commission)<br />
<strong>to</strong> clean exhaust gases of dust, acidic<br />
compounds (HCl, HF, SO2 ), volatile organic<br />
carbon, diox<strong>in</strong>s and furans. Residues are<br />
recycled wherever possible or treated<br />
and disposed of accord<strong>in</strong>g <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> latest<br />
available technologies and procedures.<br />
<strong>Alum<strong>in</strong>ium</strong> salt slag (~260 kg/<strong>to</strong>nne<br />
alum<strong>in</strong>ium3)) that is generated dur<strong>in</strong>g<br />
melt<strong>in</strong>g of scrap under a salt layer is<br />
processed <strong>to</strong> reusable salt, alum<strong>in</strong>ium
metal for future use, and alum<strong>in</strong>ium<br />
oxide. The alum<strong>in</strong>ium oxide is <strong>the</strong>n used<br />
<strong>in</strong> a variety of applications, such as<br />
<strong>the</strong> production of cement. Filter dust<br />
(~8 kg/<strong>to</strong>nne alum<strong>in</strong>ium3)) is recycled or<br />
discarded <strong>in</strong><strong>to</strong> specially designed facilities.<br />
Skimm<strong>in</strong>gs (~120kg/<strong>to</strong>nne alum<strong>in</strong>ium3)) and, <strong>in</strong> some cases, furnace l<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g<br />
(~2 kg/<strong>to</strong>nne alum<strong>in</strong>ium3)) are recycled<br />
with<strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> alum<strong>in</strong>ium recycl<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>dustry.<br />
Measur<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> <strong>Recycl<strong>in</strong>g</strong><br />
Performance of <strong>the</strong> <strong>Alum<strong>in</strong>ium</strong><br />
Industry<br />
The recycl<strong>in</strong>g performance of <strong>the</strong><br />
alum<strong>in</strong>ium <strong>in</strong>dustry can be described by<br />
different <strong>in</strong>dica<strong>to</strong>rs, namely <strong>the</strong> overall<br />
and <strong>the</strong> end-of-life recycl<strong>in</strong>g efficiency<br />
rate (see frequently ask questions).<br />
The recycl<strong>in</strong>g performance of <strong>the</strong><br />
alum<strong>in</strong>ium <strong>in</strong>dustry is determ<strong>in</strong>ed first of<br />
all by how much alum<strong>in</strong>ium metal is lost<br />
with<strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>in</strong>dustry. Usually, ref<strong>in</strong>ers and<br />
<strong>Alum<strong>in</strong>ium</strong><br />
Salt<br />
Remelter<br />
Ref<strong>in</strong>er<br />
Salt Slag Processor<br />
Construction Industry<br />
Figure 10: Internal <strong>Recycl<strong>in</strong>g</strong> Flow<br />
remelters report <strong>the</strong>ir (gross) metal yield<br />
by compar<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong>ir outputs of metal <strong>in</strong>gots<br />
with <strong>the</strong>ir scrap <strong>in</strong>puts, as values between<br />
70 and 95%. In 2005, an alum<strong>in</strong>ium mass<br />
Skimm<strong>in</strong>gs<br />
Salt Slag<br />
<strong>Alum<strong>in</strong>ium</strong> Oxide<br />
Ref<strong>in</strong>er Specialised <strong>in</strong><br />
Skimm<strong>in</strong>gs<br />
balance for <strong>the</strong> alum<strong>in</strong>ium recycl<strong>in</strong>g<br />
<strong>in</strong>dustry <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> EU-15 was carried out by<br />
Delft University of Technology, tak<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong><strong>to</strong><br />
account foreign material (pa<strong>in</strong>t, paper,<br />
15
16 3. Environment: <strong>the</strong> Commitment of <strong>the</strong> <strong>Alum<strong>in</strong>ium</strong> Industry<br />
The grow<strong>in</strong>g markets for alum<strong>in</strong>ium are supplied by both primary and recycled<br />
metal sources. Increas<strong>in</strong>g demand for alum<strong>in</strong>ium and <strong>the</strong> long lifetime<br />
of many products mean that, for <strong>the</strong> foreseeable future, <strong>the</strong> overall volume of<br />
primary metal produced from bauxite will cont<strong>in</strong>ue <strong>to</strong> be substantially<br />
greater than <strong>the</strong> volume of available recycled metal.<br />
plastic, lubricants, etc), at <strong>the</strong> <strong>in</strong>put side<br />
of <strong>the</strong> scrap and alum<strong>in</strong>ium recycl<strong>in</strong>g from<br />
skimm<strong>in</strong>gs and salt slag. The study3) has<br />
shown that <strong>the</strong> real metal loss for all scrap<br />
melted <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> EU-15 is usually less than<br />
2%, i.e. <strong>the</strong> net metal yield is above 98%.<br />
For old scrap, <strong>the</strong> metal loss is between<br />
1 and 5% depend<strong>in</strong>g on <strong>the</strong> scrap type<br />
and <strong>the</strong> furnace technology used.<br />
Secondly, when look<strong>in</strong>g at a broader<br />
picture of alum<strong>in</strong>ium use and resource<br />
conservation, one needs <strong>to</strong> compare <strong>the</strong><br />
amount of recycled metal used <strong>in</strong> relation<br />
<strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> availability of scrap sources keep<strong>in</strong>g<br />
<strong>in</strong> m<strong>in</strong>d <strong>the</strong> technological and ecological<br />
borders of recycl<strong>in</strong>g. For alum<strong>in</strong>ium<br />
products heavier than around 100 grams,<br />
separation of alum<strong>in</strong>ium scrap from endof-life<br />
products is ma<strong>in</strong>ly driven by market<br />
mechanisms and <strong>the</strong> high value of <strong>the</strong><br />
scrap, which expla<strong>in</strong>s <strong>the</strong> high rates of<br />
alum<strong>in</strong>ium from build<strong>in</strong>g products or<br />
overhead cables. However, we are liv<strong>in</strong>g<br />
<strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> world of "dematerialisation" and<br />
multi-material solutions, where functions<br />
can be fulfilled with less and less material:<br />
cans get lighter, alum<strong>in</strong>ium foil as a<br />
barrier material <strong>in</strong> packag<strong>in</strong>g gets th<strong>in</strong>ner<br />
and th<strong>in</strong>ner, alum<strong>in</strong>ium parts <strong>in</strong> vehicles,<br />
mach<strong>in</strong>es, electrical and electronic<br />
equipment get smaller and more complex.<br />
From a susta<strong>in</strong>ability standpo<strong>in</strong>t this is<br />
al<strong>to</strong>ge<strong>the</strong>r a positive development, but<br />
requires additional efforts for <strong>the</strong><br />
collection and recovery of alum<strong>in</strong>ium<br />
from end-of-life products.<br />
Legisla<strong>to</strong>rs, politicians and alum<strong>in</strong>ium<br />
users often refer <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> ratio of recycled<br />
material <strong>to</strong> <strong>to</strong>tal material used as an<br />
<strong>in</strong>dica<strong>to</strong>r of recycl<strong>in</strong>g efficiency. From<br />
a technical po<strong>in</strong>t of view, <strong>the</strong>re is no<br />
problem <strong>to</strong> produce a new alum<strong>in</strong>ium<br />
product from <strong>the</strong> same used product.<br />
There are no quality differences between<br />
a product entirely made of primary metal<br />
and a product made of recycled metal.<br />
However, recycled alum<strong>in</strong>ium is used<br />
where it is deemed most efficient <strong>in</strong><br />
economic and ecological terms. Due <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
overall limited availability of alum<strong>in</strong>ium<br />
scrap, any attempt <strong>to</strong> <strong>in</strong>crease <strong>the</strong> recycled<br />
content <strong>in</strong> one particular product would<br />
just result <strong>in</strong> decreas<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> recycl<strong>in</strong>g<br />
content accord<strong>in</strong>gly <strong>in</strong> ano<strong>the</strong>r. It would<br />
also certa<strong>in</strong>ly result <strong>in</strong> <strong>in</strong>efficiency <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
global optimisation of <strong>the</strong> scrap market, as<br />
well as wast<strong>in</strong>g transportation energy.<br />
Many of <strong>the</strong> alloy<strong>in</strong>g elements do,<br />
however, limit <strong>the</strong> usability of recycled<br />
alum<strong>in</strong>ium <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> production of fabricated<br />
goods, like extrusion billets or roll<strong>in</strong>g<br />
<strong>in</strong>gots. Therefore, alum<strong>in</strong>ium scrap with<br />
an alloy composition correspond<strong>in</strong>g <strong>to</strong> that<br />
of wrought alloys is separated whenever<br />
possible.<br />
1) EAA, 2004. Environmental Profile Report –<br />
reference year 2002.<br />
2) IAI, 2004. Third Bauxite M<strong>in</strong>e Rehabilitation<br />
Survey. http://www.world-alum<strong>in</strong>ium.org<br />
3) Bo<strong>in</strong> U.M.J. and Bertram M., 2005. Melt<strong>in</strong>g<br />
Standardized <strong>Alum<strong>in</strong>ium</strong> Scrap: A Mass Balance<br />
Model for <strong>Europe</strong>. JOM 57 (8), pp. 26–33.
4. Social Aspects:<br />
<strong>the</strong> Small <strong>to</strong> Medium-<br />
Size Bus<strong>in</strong>ess Structure<br />
of <strong>the</strong> <strong>Alum<strong>in</strong>ium</strong><br />
<strong>Recycl<strong>in</strong>g</strong> Industry<br />
Although <strong>the</strong> number of <strong>in</strong>tegrated<br />
alum<strong>in</strong>ium companies (i.e. companies<br />
<strong>in</strong>volved <strong>in</strong> all stages of alum<strong>in</strong>ium<br />
production) produc<strong>in</strong>g recycled alum<strong>in</strong>ium<br />
is on <strong>the</strong> rise, most exist<strong>in</strong>g recycl<strong>in</strong>g<br />
companies are non-<strong>in</strong>tegrated, privately<br />
owned and of medium size. In 2004, <strong>the</strong><br />
<strong>Europe</strong>an alum<strong>in</strong>ium recycl<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>dustry<br />
numbered 160 ref<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g and 126 remelt<strong>in</strong>g<br />
plants. This <strong>in</strong>dustry, compris<strong>in</strong>g all areas<br />
of collection, process<strong>in</strong>g, ref<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g and<br />
remelt<strong>in</strong>g, currently provides more than<br />
10 000 direct and <strong>in</strong>direct jobs over all<br />
<strong>Europe</strong>.<br />
17
18<br />
4. Social Aspects: <strong>the</strong> Small <strong>to</strong> Medium-Size Bus<strong>in</strong>ess Structure of <strong>the</strong> <strong>Alum<strong>in</strong>ium</strong> <strong>Recycl<strong>in</strong>g</strong> Industry<br />
1 2<br />
Portugal<br />
25<br />
10<br />
UK & Ireland<br />
28<br />
Benelux<br />
17<br />
15<br />
EU-25: 152 Ref<strong>in</strong>ers, 111 Remelters<br />
<strong>Europe</strong>: 160 Ref<strong>in</strong>ers, 126 Remelters<br />
7<br />
Spa<strong>in</strong><br />
France<br />
3<br />
10<br />
1<br />
6<br />
Norway<br />
14<br />
Germany<br />
Scand<strong>in</strong>avia<br />
(excl. Norway)<br />
Ref<strong>in</strong>ers<br />
Remelters<br />
Figure 11: Number of Plants <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Europe</strong>an <strong>Alum<strong>in</strong>ium</strong> <strong>Recycl<strong>in</strong>g</strong> Industry<br />
21<br />
3 3<br />
Austria<br />
3<br />
38<br />
6<br />
5<br />
Poland<br />
25<br />
Italy<br />
1<br />
4<br />
Czechia<br />
2 2<br />
Hungary<br />
O<strong>the</strong>r EU-25<br />
1<br />
8<br />
4<br />
4<br />
Greece<br />
<strong>Europe</strong>an ref<strong>in</strong>ers and remelters play<br />
vital roles as material suppliers, hav<strong>in</strong>g<br />
produced 4.7 million <strong>to</strong>nnes of alum<strong>in</strong>ium<br />
from scrap <strong>in</strong> 2004. They contribute <strong>in</strong><br />
no small measure <strong>to</strong> safeguard<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong><br />
cont<strong>in</strong>ued existence of <strong>the</strong> alum<strong>in</strong>ium<br />
fabrication and manufactur<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>dustry<br />
<strong>in</strong> <strong>Europe</strong>.
5. Clos<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> Cycle:<br />
<strong>the</strong> <strong>Alum<strong>in</strong>ium</strong><br />
<strong>Recycl<strong>in</strong>g</strong> Process<br />
As <strong>the</strong> f<strong>in</strong>al l<strong>in</strong>k <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> recycl<strong>in</strong>g cha<strong>in</strong>,<br />
<strong>the</strong> ref<strong>in</strong>ers and remelters contribute<br />
significantly <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> protection of our<br />
environment. It is <strong>the</strong>y who ensure <strong>the</strong><br />
production of a material that can be<br />
reabsorbed <strong>in</strong><strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> alum<strong>in</strong>ium life cycle.<br />
Both ref<strong>in</strong>ers and remelters treat and melt<br />
scrap. The ref<strong>in</strong>ers <strong>the</strong>n supply <strong>the</strong><br />
foundries with cast<strong>in</strong>g alloys, and <strong>the</strong><br />
remelters provide <strong>the</strong> roll<strong>in</strong>g mills and<br />
extruders with wrought alloys. Ref<strong>in</strong>ers<br />
use scrap, almost exclusively, as a raw<br />
material, while remelters use both<br />
alum<strong>in</strong>ium scrap and primary metal.<br />
For this reason, <strong>the</strong> size of <strong>the</strong> remelt<strong>in</strong>g<br />
<strong>in</strong>dustry is measured by <strong>the</strong> extent of its<br />
scrap <strong>in</strong>take ra<strong>the</strong>r than by production<br />
volumes of extrusion billets or roll<strong>in</strong>g<br />
<strong>in</strong>gots.<br />
19
20 5. Clos<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> Cycle: <strong>the</strong> <strong>Alum<strong>in</strong>ium</strong> <strong>Recycl<strong>in</strong>g</strong> Process<br />
Raw Materials<br />
To obta<strong>in</strong> a f<strong>in</strong>ished alum<strong>in</strong>ium product<br />
from raw materials, <strong>the</strong> alum<strong>in</strong>ium<br />
undergoes a variety of processes from<br />
bauxite m<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g, alum<strong>in</strong>a ref<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g and<br />
alum<strong>in</strong>ium smelt<strong>in</strong>g <strong>to</strong> fabrication and<br />
manufacture. Some of <strong>the</strong>se processes<br />
generate alum<strong>in</strong>ium by-products:<br />
skimm<strong>in</strong>gs dur<strong>in</strong>g melt<strong>in</strong>g and cast<strong>in</strong>g;<br />
edge trimm<strong>in</strong>gs and billet ends dur<strong>in</strong>g<br />
roll<strong>in</strong>g and extrud<strong>in</strong>g; turn<strong>in</strong>gs, mill<strong>in</strong>gs<br />
and bor<strong>in</strong>gs dur<strong>in</strong>g various mach<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g<br />
processes; off-cuts dur<strong>in</strong>g stamp<strong>in</strong>g and<br />
punch<strong>in</strong>g processes, as well as defective<br />
goods at all production stages. This<br />
material is termed “new scrap” because it<br />
is generated dur<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> <strong>in</strong>itial process<strong>in</strong>g<br />
and production stages, not hav<strong>in</strong>g yet<br />
reached <strong>the</strong> use phase. A large quantity<br />
of new scrap <strong>in</strong> <strong>Europe</strong> is generated and<br />
recycled <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> same company or company<br />
group. It is <strong>the</strong>n referred <strong>to</strong> as <strong>in</strong>ternal<br />
scrap and is not covered <strong>in</strong> statistics.<br />
Once alum<strong>in</strong>ium is turned <strong>in</strong><strong>to</strong> a f<strong>in</strong>al<br />
product, it is purchased by <strong>the</strong> consumer<br />
and used for a certa<strong>in</strong> lifetime. The<br />
lifetime of alum<strong>in</strong>ium products ranges<br />
from a few weeks for packag<strong>in</strong>g items like<br />
cans, <strong>to</strong> decades for permanent fixtures<br />
like w<strong>in</strong>dow frames and build<strong>in</strong>g façades.<br />
However, lifetime averages can be dis<strong>to</strong>rted<br />
by products go<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong><strong>to</strong> “hibernation”,<br />
that is <strong>to</strong> say, <strong>the</strong>y are not discarded but<br />
ra<strong>the</strong>r s<strong>to</strong>red <strong>in</strong> households. Fur<strong>the</strong>rmore,<br />
a proportion of products that have reached<br />
<strong>the</strong> end of <strong>the</strong>ir <strong>in</strong>tended life may be<br />
reused as replacement parts, a common<br />
practice with vehicles. Sooner or later,<br />
alum<strong>in</strong>ium products are discarded and<br />
f<strong>in</strong>d <strong>the</strong>ir way <strong>in</strong><strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> recycl<strong>in</strong>g loop.<br />
After collection, this material is termed<br />
“old scrap” because it has been used.<br />
Both new and old scrap are equally<br />
precious raw materials for recycl<strong>in</strong>g.<br />
35<br />
40<br />
30<br />
45<br />
Transport (O<strong>the</strong>r)<br />
Eng<strong>in</strong>eer<strong>in</strong>g<br />
Transport (Cars and<br />
25<br />
1 Includ<strong>in</strong>g consumer durables<br />
50 Years<br />
Build<strong>in</strong>g<br />
O<strong>the</strong>r 1<br />
Light Trucks)<br />
Packag<strong>in</strong>g<br />
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10<br />
Figure 12: Average Lifetime Ranges for <strong>Alum<strong>in</strong>ium</strong> Products<br />
<strong>in</strong> Years<br />
20<br />
15
Deoxidation<br />
<strong>Alum<strong>in</strong>ium</strong><br />
Steel<br />
Industry<br />
Ref<strong>in</strong>ers<br />
Treatment<br />
Alloy-Specific<br />
Compil<strong>in</strong>g<br />
Melt<strong>in</strong>g<br />
Ref<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g<br />
Quality Control<br />
Cast<strong>in</strong>g<br />
Figure 13: General <strong>Alum<strong>in</strong>ium</strong> Flow Chart<br />
Primary Production<br />
Remelters<br />
Treatment<br />
Alloy-Specific<br />
Compil<strong>in</strong>g<br />
Melt<strong>in</strong>g<br />
Ref<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g<br />
Quality Control<br />
Cast<strong>in</strong>g<br />
Foundries Roll<strong>in</strong>g Mills Extruders<br />
Cast<strong>in</strong>g Alloy Scrap<br />
Wrought Alloy Scrap<br />
Skimm<strong>in</strong>gs<br />
Manufacture of<br />
F<strong>in</strong>ished Products<br />
Use<br />
Collection<br />
Treatment<br />
Skimm<strong>in</strong>gs<br />
Primary Alloys<br />
Heat Treatment<br />
Cast<strong>in</strong>g Alloys Wrought Alloys<br />
Cast<strong>in</strong>gs Rolled Semis Extrusions<br />
Reuse<br />
F<strong>in</strong>al Products<br />
End-of-Life Products<br />
<strong>Alum<strong>in</strong>ium</strong> Scrap<br />
Wrought Alloy Scrap<br />
21
22<br />
Collection<br />
5. Clos<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> Cycle: <strong>the</strong> <strong>Alum<strong>in</strong>ium</strong> <strong>Recycl<strong>in</strong>g</strong> Process<br />
The alum<strong>in</strong>ium recycl<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>dustry recycles<br />
all <strong>the</strong> alum<strong>in</strong>ium scrap it can obta<strong>in</strong> from<br />
end-of-life products and alum<strong>in</strong>ium byproducts.<br />
New scrap is collected <strong>in</strong> its<br />
entirety, as collection is <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> hands of<br />
<strong>the</strong> alum<strong>in</strong>ium <strong>in</strong>dustry. The collection<br />
of alum<strong>in</strong>ium at end-of-life depends,<br />
however, on consumer <strong>in</strong>itiative <strong>to</strong> collect<br />
alum<strong>in</strong>ium for recycl<strong>in</strong>g, as well as <strong>the</strong><br />
co-operation of <strong>in</strong>dustry, legisla<strong>to</strong>rs and<br />
local communities <strong>to</strong> set up efficient<br />
collection systems.<br />
Treatment<br />
Scrap must be of appropriate quality<br />
before it can be melted down. To obta<strong>in</strong><br />
this level of quality, all adherent materials<br />
must be removed. Depend<strong>in</strong>g on scrap<br />
type, alum<strong>in</strong>ium losses of about 2% <strong>to</strong><br />
10% may be <strong>in</strong>curred dur<strong>in</strong>g separation of<br />
alum<strong>in</strong>ium from o<strong>the</strong>r materials. A certa<strong>in</strong><br />
degree of material loss is <strong>in</strong>evitable with<br />
<strong>in</strong>dustrial processes but, because of<br />
alum<strong>in</strong>ium’s high <strong>in</strong>tr<strong>in</strong>sic value, all efforts<br />
are directed at m<strong>in</strong>imis<strong>in</strong>g losses. For<br />
example end-of-life products are often<br />
not mechanically separable <strong>in</strong><strong>to</strong> s<strong>in</strong>gle<br />
material output fractions. A dilution of<br />
foreign materials with<strong>in</strong> each output is <strong>the</strong><br />
result. The treatment of scrap is a jo<strong>in</strong>t<br />
undertak<strong>in</strong>g by <strong>the</strong> alum<strong>in</strong>ium recycl<strong>in</strong>g<br />
<strong>in</strong>dustry and specialised scrap processors.<br />
Clean scrap may be shredded or baled <strong>to</strong><br />
assist subsequent handl<strong>in</strong>g. Turn<strong>in</strong>gs are<br />
treated <strong>in</strong> special process<strong>in</strong>g facilities,<br />
where <strong>the</strong>y are freed of all adherents,<br />
degreased, dried and separated from any<br />
iron particles us<strong>in</strong>g a magnetic separa<strong>to</strong>r.<br />
Purchase of Scrap<br />
Weigh<strong>in</strong>g at Plant<br />
Entrance / S<strong>to</strong>rage<br />
Purchas<strong>in</strong>g and Sales<br />
Quality Control<br />
Treatment<br />
Melt<strong>in</strong>g, Ref<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g, Cast<strong>in</strong>g<br />
Sampl<strong>in</strong>g<br />
Environmental Protection Measures<br />
Preparation and<br />
Treatment<br />
Cutt<strong>in</strong>g, Bal<strong>in</strong>g,<br />
Crush<strong>in</strong>g, Dry<strong>in</strong>g,<br />
Removal of Iron and<br />
O<strong>the</strong>r Materials,<br />
Sort<strong>in</strong>g, Shredd<strong>in</strong>g,<br />
Screen<strong>in</strong>g
Industry cont<strong>in</strong>ues <strong>to</strong> recycle, without subsidy, all <strong>the</strong> alum<strong>in</strong>ium<br />
collected from used products, as well as fabrication and manufactur<strong>in</strong>g<br />
processes. However, with <strong>the</strong> help of appropriate authorities, local<br />
communities and society as a whole, <strong>the</strong> amount of alum<strong>in</strong>ium collected<br />
could be <strong>in</strong>creased fur<strong>the</strong>r.<br />
Charg<strong>in</strong>g<br />
Compil<strong>in</strong>g of Treated<br />
Scrap Accord<strong>in</strong>g <strong>to</strong><br />
Desired Alloy<br />
Residues,<br />
Ball Mill Dust,<br />
Shredd<strong>in</strong>g Residues<br />
Bus<strong>in</strong>ess<br />
Adm<strong>in</strong>istration<br />
Data Process<strong>in</strong>g Analysis of Alloy<strong>in</strong>g<br />
Elements<br />
Feed<strong>in</strong>g<br />
Salt, Treated Scrap,<br />
Additional Alloy<strong>in</strong>g<br />
Elements<br />
Slag<br />
Process<strong>in</strong>g, Disposal Process<strong>in</strong>g (Salt,<br />
<strong>Alum<strong>in</strong>ium</strong>)<br />
Disposal (Residues)<br />
Melt<strong>in</strong>g<br />
<strong>in</strong> Different Furnace<br />
Types<br />
Flue Gases,<br />
Filter Dust<br />
Process<strong>in</strong>g, Disposal<br />
Figure 14: Information and Material Flow with<strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Alum<strong>in</strong>ium</strong> <strong>Recycl<strong>in</strong>g</strong> Industry<br />
Ref<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g<br />
Hold<strong>in</strong>g, Purify<strong>in</strong>g,<br />
Alloy<strong>in</strong>g, Modify<strong>in</strong>g,<br />
Gra<strong>in</strong> Ref<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g<br />
Skimm<strong>in</strong>gs (Residues<br />
Conta<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g a <strong>High</strong><br />
Share of <strong>Alum<strong>in</strong>ium</strong>)<br />
Product Sales<br />
Cast<strong>in</strong>g<br />
<strong>in</strong><strong>to</strong> Different Shapes<br />
23
24<br />
5. Clos<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> Cycle: <strong>the</strong> <strong>Alum<strong>in</strong>ium</strong> <strong>Recycl<strong>in</strong>g</strong> Process<br />
Large scrap pieces (e.g. eng<strong>in</strong>e blocks) are<br />
fragmentised <strong>in</strong> order <strong>to</strong> separate foreign<br />
iron from <strong>the</strong> alum<strong>in</strong>ium. If it is difficult <strong>to</strong><br />
separate unwanted iron mechanically or<br />
manually from alum<strong>in</strong>ium scrap, <strong>the</strong> scrap<br />
is fed <strong>in</strong><strong>to</strong> a special furnace that separates<br />
<strong>the</strong> iron <strong>the</strong>rmally. Usually, it is more<br />
difficult <strong>to</strong> separate o<strong>the</strong>r non-ferrous<br />
metals from alum<strong>in</strong>ium. For this purpose,<br />
heavy media separation is used, where<br />
scrap can be separated from impurities<br />
by density.<br />
For <strong>the</strong> separation of alum<strong>in</strong>ium from<br />
non-metallic pieces eddy current<br />
<strong>in</strong>stallations are used which separate<br />
materials with different electrical<br />
conductivity. For example, eddy current<br />
mach<strong>in</strong>es can be used <strong>to</strong> separate<br />
alum<strong>in</strong>ium from shredded computers.<br />
<strong>Alum<strong>in</strong>ium</strong> cans, lacquered and lam<strong>in</strong>ated<br />
scrap are often cleaned <strong>to</strong> remove coat<strong>in</strong>gs<br />
and residues <strong>to</strong> m<strong>in</strong>imise metal losses<br />
dur<strong>in</strong>g remelt<strong>in</strong>g. The <strong>in</strong>dustry uses three<br />
pr<strong>in</strong>cipal de-coat<strong>in</strong>g technologies: Rotary<br />
kiln, belt and fluidized bed de-coater.<br />
<strong>Alum<strong>in</strong>ium</strong> conta<strong>in</strong>ed <strong>in</strong> multi-material<br />
packag<strong>in</strong>g (e.g. beverage car<strong>to</strong>ns) can be<br />
separated by pyrolysis. In this case, <strong>the</strong><br />
non-metallic components are removed<br />
from <strong>the</strong> alum<strong>in</strong>ium by evaporation.<br />
A newer technology is <strong>the</strong> <strong>the</strong>rmal plasma<br />
process here all three components –<br />
alum<strong>in</strong>ium, plastic and paper – are<br />
separated <strong>in</strong><strong>to</strong> dist<strong>in</strong>ct fractions.<br />
Before enter<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> furnace, alum<strong>in</strong>ium<br />
skimm<strong>in</strong>gs are usually broken up or milled<br />
and separated by density, while alum<strong>in</strong>ium<br />
oxides are separated by siev<strong>in</strong>g.<br />
The chemical composition of wrought<br />
alloys are generally characterised, among<br />
o<strong>the</strong>rs th<strong>in</strong>gs, by <strong>the</strong>ir low <strong>to</strong>lerance for<br />
certa<strong>in</strong> alloy<strong>in</strong>g elements. Remelters select<br />
<strong>the</strong> appropriate quantity and quality of<br />
scrap <strong>to</strong> correlate with <strong>the</strong> chemical<br />
composition of <strong>the</strong> wrought alloy <strong>to</strong> be<br />
produced. Hence, great care must be taken<br />
<strong>to</strong> choose <strong>the</strong> right scrap. New scrap, for<br />
which <strong>the</strong> alloy composition is known, is<br />
predom<strong>in</strong>antly used by remelters but old<br />
wrought alloy scrap of known chemical<br />
composition is also <strong>in</strong>creas<strong>in</strong>gly employed.<br />
Two good examples are used beverage<br />
cans, which are utilised <strong>to</strong> produce new<br />
can s<strong>to</strong>ck material, and w<strong>in</strong>dow frames<br />
which, after be<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> use for decades, are<br />
treated and melted down for <strong>the</strong> production<br />
of new wrought alloy products.<br />
In order <strong>to</strong> build lighter vehicles, greater<br />
quantities of alum<strong>in</strong>ium, especially wrought<br />
alloys, will be used <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> future. When<br />
<strong>the</strong>se vehicles return for recycl<strong>in</strong>g it might<br />
be needed <strong>to</strong> separate <strong>the</strong> wrought alloys<br />
from <strong>the</strong> cast<strong>in</strong>g alloys, a technology not<br />
applied nor needed at present, as little<br />
of <strong>the</strong> alum<strong>in</strong>ium conta<strong>in</strong>ed <strong>in</strong> <strong>to</strong>day’s<br />
vehicles is <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> form of wrought alloys.<br />
Thus, <strong>the</strong> implementation of separation<br />
procedures does not make economic sense<br />
at present, but new technology <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
form of laser and x-ray sort<strong>in</strong>g is under<br />
development for future application.
Alloy-Specific Compil<strong>in</strong>g<br />
of Scrap<br />
Before be<strong>in</strong>g loaded <strong>in</strong><strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> furnace, it<br />
is standard practice for alloy-specific scrap<br />
batches <strong>to</strong> be comb<strong>in</strong>ed <strong>in</strong> order <strong>to</strong> ensure<br />
a precise alloy composition <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> f<strong>in</strong>al<br />
product. This type of computer-assisted<br />
optimisation of selection and mix<strong>in</strong>g of<br />
scrap types enables <strong>the</strong> alum<strong>in</strong>ium<br />
recycl<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>dustry <strong>to</strong> work as economically<br />
as possible. It also serves <strong>to</strong> m<strong>in</strong>imise<br />
environmental impact, s<strong>in</strong>ce limited<br />
alloy corrections need <strong>to</strong> be made after<br />
melt<strong>in</strong>g.<br />
Melt<strong>in</strong>g<br />
Ref<strong>in</strong>ers melt mixed cast<strong>in</strong>g and wrought<br />
alloy scrap, while remelters use ma<strong>in</strong>ly<br />
clean and sorted wrought alloy scrap, as<br />
well as some primary metal.<br />
Selection of <strong>the</strong> most appropriate furnace<br />
type is determ<strong>in</strong>ed by <strong>the</strong> oxide content,<br />
type and content of foreign material<br />
(e.g. organic content), geometry of <strong>the</strong><br />
scrap (mass <strong>to</strong> surface ratio), frequency of<br />
change <strong>in</strong> alloy composition and operat<strong>in</strong>g<br />
conditions. Scrap is melted <strong>in</strong> dry hearth,<br />
closed-well, electric <strong>in</strong>duction, rotary<br />
or tilt<strong>in</strong>g rotary furnaces. Ref<strong>in</strong>ers most<br />
commonly use <strong>the</strong> rotary furnace, which<br />
melts alum<strong>in</strong>ium scrap under a salt<br />
layer, while remelters favour <strong>the</strong> hearth<br />
furnace.<br />
As a result of contact with <strong>the</strong> oxygen <strong>in</strong><br />
air, alum<strong>in</strong>ium is covered with a th<strong>in</strong><br />
layer of alum<strong>in</strong>ium oxides. This chemical<br />
reaction occurs particularly at high<br />
temperatures dur<strong>in</strong>g melt<strong>in</strong>g, be it<br />
primary melt<strong>in</strong>g, foundry cast<strong>in</strong>g or<br />
recycl<strong>in</strong>g. This is <strong>the</strong> reason why molten<br />
alum<strong>in</strong>ium is protected from fur<strong>the</strong>r<br />
oxidation <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> furnace. The generated<br />
f<strong>in</strong>e mixture of oxide sk<strong>in</strong>s, metal (<strong>in</strong><br />
equal amounts) and gas on <strong>the</strong> surface<br />
of <strong>the</strong> melt <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> furnace is termed<br />
skimm<strong>in</strong>gs or alum<strong>in</strong>ium dross. These<br />
skimm<strong>in</strong>gs have <strong>to</strong> be removed before <strong>the</strong><br />
metal is cast. This by-product is collected<br />
and recycled <strong>in</strong><strong>to</strong> alum<strong>in</strong>ium alloys and<br />
alum<strong>in</strong>ium oxides (used <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> cement<br />
<strong>in</strong>dustry) <strong>in</strong> special ref<strong>in</strong>eries. Us<strong>in</strong>g salt<br />
dur<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> melt<strong>in</strong>g process reduces <strong>the</strong><br />
amount of oxides generated and removes<br />
impurities from <strong>the</strong> liquid metal.<br />
25
26<br />
Ref<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g<br />
5. Clos<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> Cycle: <strong>the</strong> <strong>Alum<strong>in</strong>ium</strong> <strong>Recycl<strong>in</strong>g</strong> Process<br />
Alloy production <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> melt<strong>in</strong>g furnace is<br />
followed by a ref<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g process. The molten<br />
metal is transferred <strong>to</strong> a hold<strong>in</strong>g furnace,<br />
where <strong>the</strong> chemical composition is<br />
adjusted and <strong>the</strong> metal purified by <strong>the</strong><br />
addition of ref<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g agents or with <strong>the</strong> use<br />
of filters. For example, <strong>the</strong> <strong>in</strong>troduction<br />
of f<strong>in</strong>e bubbles of chlor<strong>in</strong>e, argon and<br />
nitrogen removes unwanted elements,<br />
such as calcium and magnesium, and<br />
degasses <strong>the</strong> molten metal. Different gra<strong>in</strong><br />
ref<strong>in</strong>ers and modifiers are added <strong>in</strong> order<br />
<strong>to</strong> guarantee <strong>the</strong> desired metallurgical<br />
structure of <strong>the</strong> result<strong>in</strong>g product.<br />
Quality Control<br />
Cast<strong>in</strong>g and wrought alloys are subject<br />
<strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> most str<strong>in</strong>gent controls with regard<br />
<strong>to</strong> chemical composition, cleanl<strong>in</strong>ess<br />
and consistency, <strong>in</strong> l<strong>in</strong>e with <strong>Europe</strong>an<br />
standards. However, special alloys can be<br />
produced accord<strong>in</strong>g <strong>to</strong> specific cus<strong>to</strong>mer<br />
demand. Most cast<strong>in</strong>g alloys are produced<br />
exclusively by <strong>the</strong> alum<strong>in</strong>ium recycl<strong>in</strong>g<br />
<strong>in</strong>dustry, as <strong>the</strong> primary <strong>in</strong>dustry is often<br />
unable <strong>to</strong> produce <strong>the</strong> diversity of alloys<br />
required by <strong>the</strong> foundry <strong>in</strong>dustry.<br />
Dur<strong>in</strong>g melt<strong>in</strong>g, samples are regularly<br />
taken and analysed us<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> latest<br />
computer-controlled technology, before<br />
it is awarded <strong>the</strong> necessary certification.<br />
Even <strong>the</strong> smallest discrepancy with <strong>the</strong><br />
specified alloy composition, down <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
parts-per-million range, can be detected<br />
and adjusted. Documentation systems<br />
ensure future traceability of every step<br />
of <strong>the</strong> process, from <strong>the</strong> <strong>in</strong>itial scrap load<br />
<strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> f<strong>in</strong>al alloy.<br />
Cast<strong>in</strong>g<br />
As a f<strong>in</strong>al step, molten alum<strong>in</strong>ium cast<strong>in</strong>g<br />
alloys are cast <strong>in</strong><strong>to</strong> <strong>in</strong>gots (4 kg <strong>to</strong> 25 kg)<br />
or directly transported <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> foundry as<br />
molten metal. Indeed, ref<strong>in</strong>ers often<br />
deliver alum<strong>in</strong>ium <strong>in</strong> its molten state <strong>to</strong><br />
be turned <strong>in</strong><strong>to</strong> cast<strong>in</strong>gs immediately upon<br />
arrival at <strong>the</strong> foundry. In <strong>the</strong> right<br />
circumstances this saves money and<br />
reduces environmental impact. Sometimes<br />
alum<strong>in</strong>ium oxides trapped with<strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
metal are filtered out dur<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> cast<strong>in</strong>g<br />
process.<br />
Molten alum<strong>in</strong>ium wrought alloys are cast<br />
<strong>in</strong><strong>to</strong> extrusion billets and roll<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>gots,<br />
which may need <strong>to</strong> undergo heat treatment<br />
for various metallurgical reasons before<br />
hot work<strong>in</strong>g.<br />
<strong>Alum<strong>in</strong>ium</strong> is used <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> steel <strong>in</strong>dustry <strong>to</strong><br />
elim<strong>in</strong>ate unwanted oxygen because of its<br />
high aff<strong>in</strong>ity for oxygen. Special alum<strong>in</strong>ium<br />
alloys are thus cast <strong>in</strong><strong>to</strong> small <strong>in</strong>gots or<br />
o<strong>the</strong>r specific shapes for deoxidation<br />
purposes <strong>to</strong> produce high quality steel.
Product Range<br />
At <strong>the</strong> end of <strong>the</strong> material cycle, <strong>the</strong> f<strong>in</strong>al<br />
alum<strong>in</strong>ium product is obta<strong>in</strong>ed. This may<br />
be <strong>the</strong> same as <strong>the</strong> orig<strong>in</strong>al product (e.g.<br />
w<strong>in</strong>dow frame recycled back <strong>in</strong><strong>to</strong> a w<strong>in</strong>dow<br />
frame) but is more often a completely<br />
different product (cyl<strong>in</strong>der head recycled<br />
<strong>in</strong><strong>to</strong> a gearbox).<br />
Foundries are <strong>the</strong> ma<strong>in</strong> cus<strong>to</strong>mers of<br />
ref<strong>in</strong>ers. They produce a wide variety of<br />
cast<strong>in</strong>gs which are pr<strong>in</strong>cipally used <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
transport sec<strong>to</strong>r. More than 70% of cast<strong>in</strong>gs<br />
are used <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> transport sec<strong>to</strong>r. Examples<br />
of cast<strong>in</strong>gs produced from recycled alloys<br />
<strong>in</strong>clude cyl<strong>in</strong>der heads of eng<strong>in</strong>es, eng<strong>in</strong>e<br />
blocks, pis<strong>to</strong>ns, gearboxes, auxiliary<br />
equipment and seats. O<strong>the</strong>r prom<strong>in</strong>ent<br />
users of alum<strong>in</strong>ium cast<strong>in</strong>g alloys are <strong>the</strong><br />
mechanical and electrical eng<strong>in</strong>eer<strong>in</strong>g<br />
sec<strong>to</strong>rs, producers of consumer durables<br />
and <strong>the</strong> construction <strong>in</strong>dustry.<br />
Commonplace cast<strong>in</strong>gs <strong>in</strong> everyday use<br />
<strong>in</strong>clude parts of wash<strong>in</strong>g mach<strong>in</strong>es,<br />
escala<strong>to</strong>r steps and electronic equipment,<br />
<strong>to</strong> name but a few.<br />
Cast<strong>in</strong>g Alloys Wrought Alloys<br />
Eng<strong>in</strong>eer<strong>in</strong>g 13%<br />
Build<strong>in</strong>g 8%<br />
Transport 73%<br />
O<strong>the</strong>r 6%<br />
Figure 15: End Uses of Cast<strong>in</strong>g Alloys and Wrought Alloys <strong>in</strong> Western <strong>Europe</strong><br />
Wrought alloy products such as sheets, foil<br />
and extrusion profiles can be found <strong>in</strong><br />
roofs and curta<strong>in</strong> walls of build<strong>in</strong>gs, food<br />
and pharmaceutical packag<strong>in</strong>g, beverage<br />
cans, w<strong>in</strong>dows, doors, truck trailers, tra<strong>in</strong>s<br />
and, <strong>in</strong>creas<strong>in</strong>gly, car bodies.<br />
Eng<strong>in</strong>eer<strong>in</strong>g<br />
15%<br />
Packag<strong>in</strong>g 22%<br />
O<strong>the</strong>r 8%<br />
Transport 19%<br />
Build<strong>in</strong>g<br />
36%<br />
27
28<br />
6. End-of-Life Product<br />
<strong>Recycl<strong>in</strong>g</strong>: <strong>the</strong> Route <strong>to</strong><br />
<strong>High</strong> Quality at Low Cost<br />
Estimated end-of-life recycl<strong>in</strong>g rates for<br />
alum<strong>in</strong>ium used <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> transport and<br />
build<strong>in</strong>g sec<strong>to</strong>rs are very high (90 <strong>to</strong> 95%).<br />
These represent 63% of fabricated goods<br />
shipped <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Europe</strong>an alum<strong>in</strong>ium<br />
market <strong>in</strong> 2004. Packag<strong>in</strong>g recycl<strong>in</strong>g rates<br />
<strong>in</strong> <strong>Europe</strong> range from 25 <strong>to</strong> 75%,<br />
depend<strong>in</strong>g on <strong>the</strong> country.
Global alum<strong>in</strong>ium recycl<strong>in</strong>g rates are high, approximately 90% for transport<br />
and construction applications and about 60% for beverage cans.<br />
Eng<strong>in</strong>eer<strong>in</strong>g 14%<br />
Packag<strong>in</strong>g 16%<br />
Transport<br />
Transportation is <strong>the</strong> most important field<br />
of application for alum<strong>in</strong>ium <strong>in</strong> <strong>Europe</strong>.<br />
In 2004, approximately 3.6 million <strong>to</strong>nnes<br />
of wrought and cast<strong>in</strong>g alloys were used<br />
for <strong>the</strong> production of cars, commercial<br />
vehicles, aeroplanes, tra<strong>in</strong>s, ships,<br />
O<strong>the</strong>r 7%<br />
Build<strong>in</strong>g 27%<br />
Figure 16: <strong>Alum<strong>in</strong>ium</strong> End-use Markets <strong>in</strong> Western <strong>Europe</strong><br />
etc., and that figure is steadily ris<strong>in</strong>g.<br />
Consequently, <strong>the</strong> transport sec<strong>to</strong>r is also<br />
a major source of alum<strong>in</strong>ium at <strong>the</strong> end<br />
of a vehicle’s lifetime. The precise end of<br />
a vehicle’s lifetime is, however, difficult <strong>to</strong><br />
def<strong>in</strong>e. In Germany, for example, cars are<br />
used for an average period of 12 years,<br />
at <strong>the</strong> end of which <strong>the</strong>y can enter <strong>the</strong><br />
Transport 36%<br />
<strong>Alum<strong>in</strong>ium</strong> <strong>in</strong> kg/vehicle<br />
300<br />
250<br />
200<br />
150<br />
100<br />
50<br />
0<br />
1990<br />
1995<br />
2000<br />
2005<br />
2010<br />
Figure 17: <strong>Alum<strong>in</strong>ium</strong> Content <strong>in</strong> <strong>Europe</strong>an Vehicles<br />
2015<br />
29<br />
recycl<strong>in</strong>g loop. But <strong>the</strong>ir lifetime is often<br />
extended by export <strong>to</strong> less developed parts<br />
of <strong>the</strong> world, where <strong>the</strong>ir useful life may<br />
cont<strong>in</strong>ue for many more years <strong>to</strong> come.<br />
Compared <strong>to</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r materials, alum<strong>in</strong>ium<br />
scrap has a very high material value, which<br />
provides sufficient economic <strong>in</strong>centive for<br />
it <strong>to</strong> be recycled. For this reason, 90 <strong>to</strong>
30<br />
5. End-of-life Product <strong>Recycl<strong>in</strong>g</strong>: <strong>the</strong> Route <strong>to</strong> <strong>High</strong> Quality at Low Cost<br />
95% of <strong>the</strong> alum<strong>in</strong>ium used <strong>in</strong> cars is<br />
collected and reused as au<strong>to</strong>motive parts,<br />
or <strong>in</strong>troduced <strong>in</strong><strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> recycl<strong>in</strong>g loop. O<strong>the</strong>r<br />
modes of transport have similarly high<br />
recycl<strong>in</strong>g or reuse rates.<br />
A number of efficient processes are used<br />
<strong>to</strong> collect and separate alum<strong>in</strong>ium from<br />
vehicles. Figure 18 shows a modern<br />
process used <strong>in</strong> order <strong>to</strong> recycle a typical<br />
passenger car. Some alum<strong>in</strong>ium parts,<br />
such as wheels and cyl<strong>in</strong>der heads, are<br />
removed dur<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> <strong>in</strong>itial dismantl<strong>in</strong>g of<br />
<strong>the</strong> vehicle. The car body, <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong><br />
rema<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g alum<strong>in</strong>ium, is fed <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
shredder <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> course of subsequent<br />
recycl<strong>in</strong>g. After separat<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> ferrous<br />
fraction us<strong>in</strong>g magnets, a mixture of<br />
plastics, rubber, glass, textiles and nonferrous<br />
metals is obta<strong>in</strong>ed. This mixed<br />
fraction constitutes merchandise subject<br />
<strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Europe</strong>an Standard EN 13290-8 and<br />
is <strong>in</strong>tended for fur<strong>the</strong>r sort<strong>in</strong>g processes<br />
by <strong>the</strong> user.<br />
Car <strong>in</strong> Use End-of-Life Vehicle<br />
Car Manufacturer<br />
Foundry Roller Extruder<br />
Recycled <strong>Alum<strong>in</strong>ium</strong><br />
<strong>Alum<strong>in</strong>ium</strong> Parts<br />
<strong>Alum<strong>in</strong>ium</strong> Parts<br />
Collection of<br />
End-of-Life Vehicle<br />
Extraction of Fluids<br />
Dismantl<strong>in</strong>g<br />
Shredder<br />
Electro-Magnetic<br />
Separation<br />
S<strong>in</strong>k-Float Separation<br />
(2.1 g/m 3 )<br />
S<strong>in</strong>k-Float Separation<br />
(3.1 g/m 3 )<br />
Eddy Current<br />
Separation<br />
<strong>Alum<strong>in</strong>ium</strong><br />
Alloy Separation*<br />
(e.g. laser/x-ray)<br />
Ref<strong>in</strong>er/Remelter<br />
Reuse and<br />
<strong>Recycl<strong>in</strong>g</strong> of Non-<br />
<strong>Alum<strong>in</strong>ium</strong> Parts<br />
Fluff (Non-Metallic<br />
Compound)<br />
Non-Magnetizable Components:<br />
<strong>Alum<strong>in</strong>ium</strong>, Heavy Metals, <strong>High</strong> Grade<br />
Steel, Non-Metallic Components<br />
S<strong>in</strong>k<strong>in</strong>g Fraction:<br />
<strong>Alum<strong>in</strong>ium</strong>, Heavy Metals, <strong>High</strong> Grade<br />
Steel, S<strong>to</strong>nes<br />
Float<strong>in</strong>g Fraction:<br />
<strong>Alum<strong>in</strong>ium</strong>, S<strong>to</strong>nes<br />
Figure 18: Modern End-of-Life Vehicle Dismantl<strong>in</strong>g and <strong>Alum<strong>in</strong>ium</strong> <strong>Recycl<strong>in</strong>g</strong> Process<br />
Iron<br />
Float<strong>in</strong>g Fraction:<br />
Plastic, Wood,<br />
Rubber, Magnesium,<br />
etc.<br />
S<strong>in</strong>k<strong>in</strong>g Fraction:<br />
Heavy Metals, <strong>High</strong><br />
Grade Steel<br />
S<strong>to</strong>nes<br />
* Future<br />
developments<br />
Various <strong>Alum<strong>in</strong>ium</strong> Alloy Families
These processes <strong>in</strong>clude s<strong>in</strong>k-float and<br />
eddy current separation and result <strong>in</strong> an<br />
alum<strong>in</strong>ium fraction covered by EN 13290-9.<br />
A new process be<strong>in</strong>g developed <strong>to</strong> sort<br />
alum<strong>in</strong>ium scrap metallurgically utilises<br />
laser and spectroscopic technology. This<br />
technology, is now at an advanced stage<br />
of development, looks very promis<strong>in</strong>g.<br />
<strong>Alum<strong>in</strong>ium</strong> scrap collected us<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong><br />
various separation procedures is ma<strong>in</strong>ly<br />
processed <strong>in</strong><strong>to</strong> alum<strong>in</strong>ium cast<strong>in</strong>g alloys,<br />
which serve as pre-material for <strong>the</strong><br />
production of cast<strong>in</strong>gs. Typical applications<br />
<strong>in</strong>clude eng<strong>in</strong>es and gearboxes.<br />
Due <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>in</strong>creased use of alum<strong>in</strong>ium<br />
wrought alloys <strong>in</strong> car bodies, a grow<strong>in</strong>g<br />
volume of wrought alloy scrap is<br />
anticipated as of 2015/2020. From <strong>the</strong>n on,<br />
<strong>the</strong> separate collection of wrought alloys<br />
from cars will be economically viable.<br />
<strong>Alum<strong>in</strong>ium</strong> used <strong>in</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r modes of<br />
transport is collected separately at endof-life,<br />
when commercial vehicles,<br />
aeroplanes, railway coaches, ships, etc. are<br />
dismantled. As <strong>the</strong> alum<strong>in</strong>ium parts are<br />
often <strong>to</strong>o large <strong>to</strong> be immediately melted<br />
<strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> furnace, <strong>the</strong>y must first be reduced<br />
<strong>to</strong> small pieces by processes such as<br />
shear<strong>in</strong>g. <strong>Alum<strong>in</strong>ium</strong>-<strong>in</strong>tensive trailers<br />
often spend <strong>the</strong>ir entire life <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> same<br />
region, where <strong>the</strong>y are eventually<br />
dismantled and subsequently melted by<br />
ref<strong>in</strong>ers or remelters. Most alum<strong>in</strong>iumconta<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g<br />
ships and railway coaches are<br />
still <strong>in</strong> use due <strong>to</strong> alum<strong>in</strong>ium’s relatively<br />
recent his<strong>to</strong>ry <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong>se applications and its<br />
long-last<strong>in</strong>g performance.<br />
Build<strong>in</strong>g<br />
In order <strong>to</strong> raise people’s awareness of <strong>the</strong><br />
excellent recycl<strong>in</strong>g properties of alum<strong>in</strong>ium<br />
and <strong>the</strong> extent of its scrap potential <strong>in</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> build<strong>in</strong>g sec<strong>to</strong>r, <strong>the</strong> EAA commissioned<br />
Delft University of Technology <strong>to</strong> conduct<br />
a scientific study <strong>in</strong>vestigat<strong>in</strong>g alum<strong>in</strong>ium<br />
content and collection rates <strong>in</strong> <strong>Europe</strong>an<br />
build<strong>in</strong>gs. The demolition of a significant<br />
number of build<strong>in</strong>gs <strong>in</strong> six <strong>Europe</strong>an<br />
countries was closely moni<strong>to</strong>red and<br />
comprehensive data were ga<strong>the</strong>red. The<br />
collection rates of alum<strong>in</strong>ium <strong>in</strong> this sec<strong>to</strong>r<br />
were found <strong>to</strong> vary between 92 and 98%,<br />
demonstrat<strong>in</strong>g alum<strong>in</strong>ium’s pivotal role<br />
<strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> pursuit of full susta<strong>in</strong>ability.<br />
Although it was revealed that <strong>the</strong> average<br />
alum<strong>in</strong>ium <strong>in</strong>ven<strong>to</strong>ry per build<strong>in</strong>g is<br />
currently less than 1% of <strong>the</strong> overall mass,<br />
<strong>the</strong> quantities of alum<strong>in</strong>ium recovered<br />
from demolition sites often yield a<br />
substantial profit for <strong>the</strong> contrac<strong>to</strong>r.<br />
31
32<br />
5. End-of-life Product <strong>Recycl<strong>in</strong>g</strong>: <strong>the</strong> Route <strong>to</strong> <strong>High</strong> Quality at Low Cost<br />
Today, <strong>the</strong> <strong>Europe</strong>an build<strong>in</strong>g market uses<br />
some 2.7 million <strong>to</strong>nnes of alum<strong>in</strong>ium<br />
semis annually. As alum<strong>in</strong>ium build<strong>in</strong>g<br />
products often have lifetimes runn<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong><strong>to</strong><br />
decades, a vast material (close <strong>to</strong> 50 million<br />
<strong>to</strong>nnes of alum<strong>in</strong>ium) s<strong>to</strong>rage bank is<br />
be<strong>in</strong>g created for future recycl<strong>in</strong>g use.<br />
Packag<strong>in</strong>g<br />
<strong>Alum<strong>in</strong>ium</strong> packag<strong>in</strong>g fits every desired<br />
recycl<strong>in</strong>g and process<strong>in</strong>g route. The<br />
amount of alum<strong>in</strong>ium packag<strong>in</strong>g effectively<br />
recycled greatly depends upon <strong>in</strong>dividual<br />
national requirements and <strong>the</strong> efficiency<br />
of <strong>the</strong> collection schemes, <strong>the</strong>refore rates<br />
vary from 25 <strong>to</strong> 75% across <strong>Europe</strong>.<br />
However, <strong>in</strong> all cases <strong>the</strong> value of <strong>the</strong><br />
collected scrap covers most if not all of<br />
<strong>the</strong> related recycl<strong>in</strong>g costs.<br />
Most <strong>Europe</strong>an countries have nationwide<br />
alum<strong>in</strong>ium packag<strong>in</strong>g recycl<strong>in</strong>g schemes <strong>in</strong><br />
place. These can be grouped <strong>in</strong><strong>to</strong> three<br />
ma<strong>in</strong> routes:<br />
1. Separate collection of used beverage<br />
cans, ei<strong>the</strong>r <strong>in</strong> designated deposit systems<br />
(Scand<strong>in</strong>avian countries and Germany),<br />
voluntary take back systems ( Switzerland<br />
and Poland) or <strong>in</strong>centive based projects<br />
(UK, Ireland, Hungary and Greece) such<br />
as charity events. Moreover alum<strong>in</strong>ium<br />
conta<strong>in</strong>ers are <strong>in</strong>cluded <strong>in</strong> separate<br />
collection schemes <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> UK and<br />
Switzerland; <strong>the</strong> later covers alum<strong>in</strong>ium<br />
packag<strong>in</strong>g tubes as well.<br />
2. Multi-material packag<strong>in</strong>g collection<br />
systems, where alum<strong>in</strong>ium conta<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g<br />
packag<strong>in</strong>g is part of <strong>the</strong> “light packag<strong>in</strong>g<br />
flow” conta<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g plastics, t<strong>in</strong>plate,<br />
beverage car<strong>to</strong>ns and sometimes paper<br />
packag<strong>in</strong>g, newspapers and magaz<strong>in</strong>es.<br />
Here, alum<strong>in</strong>ium is separated dur<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong><br />
f<strong>in</strong>al step of sort<strong>in</strong>g at <strong>the</strong> plant (e.g. Italy,<br />
Spa<strong>in</strong>, Germany, Portugal, France, Belgium,<br />
Austria).<br />
3. Extraction from <strong>the</strong> bot<strong>to</strong>m ashes of<br />
municipal solid waste <strong>in</strong>c<strong>in</strong>era<strong>to</strong>rs as<br />
alum<strong>in</strong>ium nodules (Ne<strong>the</strong>rlands, France,<br />
Belgium and Denmark, <strong>in</strong> particular)<br />
In many <strong>Europe</strong>an countries municipal<br />
solid waste is entirely or partly<br />
<strong>in</strong>c<strong>in</strong>erated, <strong>in</strong> this case <strong>the</strong> conta<strong>in</strong>ed th<strong>in</strong><br />
gauge alum<strong>in</strong>ium foil is oxidised and<br />
delivers energy while thicker gauges can<br />
be extracted from <strong>the</strong> bot<strong>to</strong>m ash.
In l<strong>in</strong>e with national requirements (e.g.<br />
Germany), alum<strong>in</strong>ium can be extracted<br />
from lam<strong>in</strong>ates by pyrolysis and <strong>the</strong>rmal<br />
plasma techniques.<br />
As alum<strong>in</strong>ium from collected packag<strong>in</strong>g<br />
is just as easy <strong>to</strong> melt as o<strong>the</strong>r types of<br />
alum<strong>in</strong>ium scrap, <strong>the</strong> alum<strong>in</strong>ium <strong>in</strong>dustry,<br />
<strong>to</strong>ge<strong>the</strong>r with <strong>the</strong> equipment manufacturers,<br />
has focused its efforts on develop<strong>in</strong>g<br />
various alum<strong>in</strong>ium sort<strong>in</strong>g techniques.<br />
Eddy current mach<strong>in</strong>es and detectionejection<br />
systems are implemented <strong>to</strong><br />
extract alum<strong>in</strong>ium from mixed materials<br />
flows as well as from <strong>in</strong>c<strong>in</strong>era<strong>to</strong>r bot<strong>to</strong>m<br />
ashes where it is highly diluted.<br />
For used beverage cans alone <strong>the</strong><br />
collection rates are as high as 80 <strong>to</strong> 93%<br />
<strong>in</strong> some <strong>Europe</strong>an countries (Benelux,<br />
Scand<strong>in</strong>avian countries and Switzerland).<br />
The mean collection rate of alum<strong>in</strong>ium<br />
beverage cans <strong>in</strong> Western <strong>Europe</strong>, which<br />
has been moni<strong>to</strong>red s<strong>in</strong>ce 1991, has more<br />
than doubled from 21% <strong>in</strong> 1991 <strong>to</strong> 52% <strong>in</strong><br />
2005.<br />
<strong>Alum<strong>in</strong>ium</strong> cans/capita/year<br />
40 50<br />
38 47<br />
36 44<br />
34 41<br />
32 38<br />
30 35<br />
28 32<br />
26 29<br />
24 26<br />
22 23<br />
20<br />
20 Percentage<br />
1991<br />
1992<br />
1993<br />
1994<br />
1995<br />
1996<br />
1997<br />
1 Term collection used here refers <strong>to</strong> recycl<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> directive for packag<strong>in</strong>g and packag<strong>in</strong>g waste.<br />
Figure 19: <strong>Alum<strong>in</strong>ium</strong> Beverage Can Usage and Collection Rate 1 <strong>in</strong> Western <strong>Europe</strong><br />
1998<br />
1999<br />
2000<br />
2001<br />
2002<br />
2003<br />
2004<br />
2005<br />
33
34<br />
7. The <strong>Alum<strong>in</strong>ium</strong> Life Cycle:<br />
<strong>the</strong> Never-End<strong>in</strong>g S<strong>to</strong>ry<br />
In <strong>the</strong> past, much was known about<br />
<strong>the</strong> primary alum<strong>in</strong>ium production cha<strong>in</strong><br />
but comparatively little about recycled<br />
alum<strong>in</strong>ium. The EAA and <strong>the</strong> OEA, <strong>in</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> course of <strong>the</strong>ir ongo<strong>in</strong>g close cooperation,<br />
have thus sought <strong>to</strong> improve<br />
understand<strong>in</strong>g of <strong>the</strong> multitude of<br />
processes needed <strong>to</strong> produce recycled<br />
alum<strong>in</strong>ium.
Bauxite 5 153.7<br />
Primary<br />
<strong>Alum<strong>in</strong>ium</strong> 30.2<br />
Recycled<br />
<strong>Alum<strong>in</strong>ium</strong> 31.6<br />
(Excl. Fabrica<strong>to</strong>r<br />
Scrap 15.1)<br />
Bauxite Residues 56.7<br />
and Water 39.7<br />
Figure 20: Global <strong>Alum<strong>in</strong>ium</strong> Flow, 2004<br />
Material Flow Metal Flow<br />
Alum<strong>in</strong>a 6 57.3<br />
Traded New<br />
Scrap 1 1.3<br />
Metal Losses 1.3<br />
Ingots 61.8<br />
Fabrica<strong>to</strong>r<br />
Scrap 2<br />
16.5<br />
Fabricated and<br />
F<strong>in</strong>ished Products<br />
(<strong>in</strong>put) 60.5<br />
Traded<br />
New<br />
Scrap 7 7.7<br />
F<strong>in</strong>ished<br />
Products<br />
(output) 36.3<br />
O<strong>the</strong>r<br />
Applications 3<br />
1.1<br />
Old Scrap<br />
7.4<br />
O<strong>the</strong>r 11%<br />
Packag<strong>in</strong>g 1%<br />
Net Addition 2004: 21.1<br />
Transport 28%<br />
o.a. Au<strong>to</strong>motive 16%<br />
Total Products S<strong>to</strong>red<br />
<strong>in</strong> Use s<strong>in</strong>ce 1888: 538.5<br />
Build<strong>in</strong>g 31%<br />
Eng<strong>in</strong>eer<strong>in</strong>g<br />
and Cable 29%<br />
Not Recycled <strong>in</strong> 2004 8 3.4 Under Investigation 4 3.3<br />
Values <strong>in</strong> millions of metric <strong>to</strong>nnes. Values might not add up due <strong>to</strong> round<strong>in</strong>g. Production s<strong>to</strong>cks not shown.<br />
1 <strong>Alum<strong>in</strong>ium</strong> <strong>in</strong> skimm<strong>in</strong>gs; 2 Scrap generated by foundries, roll<strong>in</strong>g mills and extruders. Most is <strong>in</strong>ternal scrap and not taken <strong>in</strong><strong>to</strong> accounts <strong>in</strong> statistics;<br />
3 Such as powder, paste and deoxidation alum<strong>in</strong>ium (metal property is lost); 4 Area of current research <strong>to</strong> identify f<strong>in</strong>al alum<strong>in</strong>ium dest<strong>in</strong>ation (reuse, recycl<strong>in</strong>g or landfill<strong>in</strong>g);<br />
5 Calculated. Includes, depend<strong>in</strong>g on <strong>the</strong> ore, between 30% and 50% alum<strong>in</strong>a; 6 Calculated. Includes on a global average 52% alum<strong>in</strong>ium; 7 Scrap generated dur<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong><br />
production of f<strong>in</strong>ished products from semis; 8 Landfilled, dissipated <strong>in</strong><strong>to</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r recycl<strong>in</strong>g streams, <strong>in</strong>c<strong>in</strong>erated or <strong>in</strong>c<strong>in</strong>erated with energy recovery.<br />
35
36 The <strong>Alum<strong>in</strong>ium</strong> Life Cycle: <strong>the</strong> Never-End<strong>in</strong>g S<strong>to</strong>ry<br />
Bauxite 5 <strong>in</strong>cl. imports 19.1<br />
<strong>Europe</strong> M<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g 4.6<br />
Primary<br />
<strong>Alum<strong>in</strong>ium</strong> 5.2<br />
Recycled<br />
<strong>Alum<strong>in</strong>ium</strong> 8.1<br />
(Excl. Internal<br />
Scrap 8 4.7; Excl.<br />
Fabrica<strong>to</strong>r<br />
Scrap 3.5)<br />
Bauxite Residues 5.7<br />
and Water<br />
(<strong>in</strong>cl. free) 5.5<br />
Figure 21: <strong>Europe</strong>an 9 <strong>Alum<strong>in</strong>ium</strong> Flow, 2004<br />
Material Flow Metal Flow<br />
Alum<strong>in</strong>a 6 7.9<br />
Traded New<br />
Scrap 1 0.1<br />
Metal Losses 0.2<br />
Ingots 13.2<br />
Fabrica<strong>to</strong>r<br />
Scrap 2<br />
Internal 3.4<br />
Traded 1.2<br />
Fabricated and<br />
F<strong>in</strong>ished Products<br />
(<strong>in</strong>put) 15.9<br />
Traded<br />
New<br />
Scrap 1.7<br />
F<strong>in</strong>ished<br />
Products<br />
(output) 9.3<br />
O<strong>the</strong>r<br />
Applications 3<br />
0.3<br />
Old Scrap<br />
2.1<br />
Alloy<strong>in</strong>g Elements 7 0.2<br />
Total Products S<strong>to</strong>red<br />
<strong>in</strong> Use s<strong>in</strong>ce 1888:<br />
120-140<br />
Net Addition 2004: 4.0<br />
Fabricated<br />
F<strong>in</strong>ished<br />
End-of-life<br />
Bauxite +14.5 Alum<strong>in</strong>a +3.0 Ingots +2.8<br />
Products -0.4 Products -0.7 Products -0.5<br />
Scrap -0.4<br />
Net Import<br />
Under Investigation 4 1.7<br />
Values <strong>in</strong> millions of metric <strong>to</strong>nnes. Values might not add up due <strong>to</strong> round<strong>in</strong>g. Production s<strong>to</strong>cks not shown.<br />
1 <strong>Alum<strong>in</strong>ium</strong> <strong>in</strong> skimm<strong>in</strong>gs from primary production only; 2 Scrap generated by foundries, roll<strong>in</strong>g mills and extruders. Internal scrap is not taken <strong>in</strong><strong>to</strong> account <strong>in</strong> statistics;<br />
3 Such as powder, paste and deoxidation alum<strong>in</strong>ium (metal property is lost); 4 Area of current research <strong>to</strong> identify f<strong>in</strong>al alum<strong>in</strong>ium dest<strong>in</strong>ation (reuse, recycl<strong>in</strong>g or landfill<strong>in</strong>g);<br />
5 Based on statistics. Includes, depend<strong>in</strong>g on <strong>the</strong> ore, between 30% and 50% alum<strong>in</strong>a; 6 Based on statistics. Includes on a global average 52% alum<strong>in</strong>ium. Includes nonmetallic<br />
uses; 7 alloy<strong>in</strong>g elements are only shown for recycl<strong>in</strong>g; 8 Based on statistics; 9 West and Central <strong>Europe</strong> (Former CIS excluded, except Baltic states)
Bauxite 5 <strong>in</strong>cl. imports 16.1<br />
EU M<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g 3.3<br />
Primary<br />
<strong>Alum<strong>in</strong>ium</strong> 3.0<br />
Recycled<br />
<strong>Alum<strong>in</strong>ium</strong> 7.6<br />
(Excl. Internal<br />
Scrap 8 4.5;<br />
Excl. Fabrica<strong>to</strong>r<br />
Scrap 3.3)<br />
Bauxite Residues 4.7<br />
and Water<br />
(<strong>in</strong>cl. free) 4.8<br />
Figure 22: EU-25 <strong>Alum<strong>in</strong>ium</strong> Flow, 2004<br />
Material Flow Material Flow<br />
Alum<strong>in</strong>a 6 6.6<br />
Traded New<br />
Scrap 1 0.03<br />
Metal Losses 0.2<br />
Ingots 10.6<br />
Fabrica<strong>to</strong>r<br />
Scrap 2<br />
Internal 3.1<br />
Traded 1.1<br />
Fabricated and<br />
F<strong>in</strong>ished Products<br />
(<strong>in</strong>put) 14.6<br />
Traded<br />
New<br />
Scrap 1.6<br />
F<strong>in</strong>ished<br />
Products<br />
(output) 8.8<br />
O<strong>the</strong>r<br />
Applications 3<br />
0.3<br />
Old Scrap<br />
2.0<br />
Alloy<strong>in</strong>g Elements 7 0.2<br />
Net Addition 2004: 3.8<br />
Total Products S<strong>to</strong>red<br />
<strong>in</strong> Use s<strong>in</strong>ce 1888:<br />
120-130<br />
Fabricated<br />
F<strong>in</strong>ished<br />
End-of-life<br />
Bauxite +12.8 Alum<strong>in</strong>a -0.3 Ingots +3.9<br />
Products -0.04 Products -0.7 Products -0.5<br />
Scrap -0.2<br />
Net Import<br />
Under Investigation 4 1.5<br />
Values <strong>in</strong> millions of metric <strong>to</strong>nnes. Values might not add up due <strong>to</strong> round<strong>in</strong>g. Production s<strong>to</strong>cks not shown.<br />
1 <strong>Alum<strong>in</strong>ium</strong> <strong>in</strong> skimm<strong>in</strong>gs from primary production only; 2 Scrap generated by foundries, roll<strong>in</strong>g mills and extruders. Internal scrap is not taken <strong>in</strong><strong>to</strong> account <strong>in</strong> statistics;<br />
3 Such as powder, paste and deoxidation alum<strong>in</strong>ium (metal property is lost); 4 Area of current research <strong>to</strong> identify f<strong>in</strong>al alum<strong>in</strong>ium dest<strong>in</strong>ation (reuse, recycl<strong>in</strong>g or landfill<strong>in</strong>g);<br />
5 Based on statistics. Includes, depend<strong>in</strong>g on <strong>the</strong> ore, between 30% and 50% alum<strong>in</strong>a; 6 Based on statistics. Includes on a global average 52% alum<strong>in</strong>ium. Includes nonmetallic<br />
uses; 7 alloy<strong>in</strong>g elements are only shown for recycl<strong>in</strong>g; 8 Based on statistics<br />
37
38<br />
7. The <strong>Alum<strong>in</strong>ium</strong> Life Cycle: a Never-End<strong>in</strong>g S<strong>to</strong>ry<br />
The alum<strong>in</strong>ium <strong>in</strong>dustry, <strong>in</strong> collaboration<br />
with various universities, is currently<br />
design<strong>in</strong>g a model <strong>to</strong> track alum<strong>in</strong>ium<br />
throughout its life cycle from m<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g <strong>to</strong><br />
use <strong>to</strong> recycl<strong>in</strong>g. More than 90 processes<br />
(<strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g sub-processes) and 300<br />
alum<strong>in</strong>ium flows will be <strong>in</strong>vestigated <strong>in</strong><br />
<strong>Europe</strong>. The ma<strong>in</strong> objective of <strong>the</strong> study<br />
is <strong>to</strong> quantify <strong>the</strong> alum<strong>in</strong>ium collection<br />
rate, as well as <strong>the</strong> metal losses <strong>in</strong>curred<br />
dur<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> treatment and melt<strong>in</strong>g of scrap.<br />
This will help <strong>the</strong> <strong>in</strong>dustry <strong>to</strong> understand<br />
more fully, and cont<strong>in</strong>ue <strong>to</strong> improve,<br />
<strong>the</strong> diversity of processes required for<br />
recycled alum<strong>in</strong>ium production.<br />
The model is not static but is regularly<br />
updated <strong>to</strong> ensure that technological,<br />
market and legislative changes are<br />
<strong>in</strong>corporated as <strong>the</strong>y arise. This represents<br />
yet ano<strong>the</strong>r significant step by <strong>the</strong><br />
alum<strong>in</strong>ium <strong>in</strong>dustry <strong>in</strong> its drive for, and<br />
commitment <strong>to</strong>, cont<strong>in</strong>ued progress.<br />
Figures 20 <strong>to</strong> 22 illustrate <strong>the</strong> model.<br />
Global and <strong>Europe</strong>an, primary and recycled<br />
alum<strong>in</strong>ium flows are shown.
8. Frequently Asked Questions<br />
How is <strong>the</strong> recycl<strong>in</strong>g rate<br />
def<strong>in</strong>ed and calculated?<br />
For alum<strong>in</strong>ium, three recycl<strong>in</strong>g rates apply:<br />
1. The recycl<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>put rate<br />
(recycled alum<strong>in</strong>ium/<strong>to</strong>tal alum<strong>in</strong>ium<br />
supplied <strong>to</strong> fabrica<strong>to</strong>rs)<br />
2. The end-of-life recycl<strong>in</strong>g efficiency rate<br />
(alum<strong>in</strong>ium recycled from old scrap/<br />
alum<strong>in</strong>ium available for collection after<br />
use)<br />
3. The overall recycl<strong>in</strong>g efficiency rate<br />
(recycled alum<strong>in</strong>ium/alum<strong>in</strong>ium<br />
available for collection at production,<br />
fabrication and manufactur<strong>in</strong>g and<br />
after use)<br />
The recycl<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>put rate does not reflect<br />
<strong>the</strong> recycl<strong>in</strong>g activity of <strong>the</strong> alum<strong>in</strong>ium<br />
<strong>in</strong>dustry. It purely takes <strong>in</strong><strong>to</strong> account <strong>the</strong><br />
orig<strong>in</strong> of <strong>the</strong> metal, i.e. primary or<br />
recycled. The amount of recycled<br />
alum<strong>in</strong>ium is based on statistics perta<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g<br />
<strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> remelters' production from <strong>to</strong>lled<br />
and purchased scrap and <strong>the</strong> ref<strong>in</strong>ers’<br />
production. Fur<strong>the</strong>rmore, <strong>the</strong> recycl<strong>in</strong>g<br />
<strong>in</strong>put rate is significantly <strong>in</strong>fluenced by<br />
import and export activities at all life<br />
cycle stages. Thus a healthy fabrication<br />
<strong>in</strong>dustry which is able <strong>to</strong> export its<br />
products “destroys” <strong>the</strong> recycl<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>put<br />
rate per def<strong>in</strong>ition.<br />
The end-of-life and <strong>the</strong> overall efficiency<br />
rate is obta<strong>in</strong>ed by multiply<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong><br />
collection rate (alum<strong>in</strong>ium collected/<br />
alum<strong>in</strong>ium available for collection) by <strong>the</strong><br />
treatment efficiency rate (alum<strong>in</strong>ium<br />
treated/alum<strong>in</strong>ium collected) by <strong>the</strong><br />
melt<strong>in</strong>g efficiency rate, also termed net<br />
metal yield (alum<strong>in</strong>ium recycled/<br />
alum<strong>in</strong>ium treated).<br />
The recycled alum<strong>in</strong>ium referred <strong>to</strong> <strong>in</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> recycl<strong>in</strong>g efficiency rates is <strong>the</strong>refore<br />
not determ<strong>in</strong>ed on <strong>the</strong> basis of statistics,<br />
but calculated by means of a material flow<br />
model. Collection rates differ greatly,<br />
however. New scrap has a collection rate<br />
of almost 100% and alum<strong>in</strong>ium from<br />
build<strong>in</strong>gs approximately 96%. The<br />
collection rate of alum<strong>in</strong>ium beverage cans<br />
has reached 52% <strong>in</strong> 2005 and this figure<br />
cont<strong>in</strong>ues <strong>to</strong> rise. But alum<strong>in</strong>ium utilised<br />
<strong>in</strong> powder, paste and for deoxidation<br />
purposes is def<strong>in</strong>ed as impossible <strong>to</strong><br />
recycle after use, because it loses its<br />
metallic properties. <strong>Alum<strong>in</strong>ium</strong> metal<br />
losses <strong>in</strong>curred dur<strong>in</strong>g separation<br />
treatment range from 0% (no treatment<br />
necessary) <strong>to</strong> 10%.<br />
Melt<strong>in</strong>g losses are def<strong>in</strong>ed as <strong>the</strong><br />
proportion of metal <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> scrap lost<br />
dur<strong>in</strong>g melt<strong>in</strong>g, which <strong>the</strong>refore excludes<br />
all alum<strong>in</strong>ium oxides found on <strong>the</strong> surface<br />
of scrap prior <strong>to</strong> melt<strong>in</strong>g. Delft University<br />
of Technology and <strong>the</strong> OEA determ<strong>in</strong>ed <strong>in</strong><br />
a jo<strong>in</strong>t research project how resourceconservative<br />
<strong>the</strong> <strong>in</strong>dustry is when melt<strong>in</strong>g<br />
alum<strong>in</strong>ium scrap and found that melt<strong>in</strong>g<br />
oxidation losses are on average 2%.<br />
The end-of-life recycl<strong>in</strong>g efficiency rate<br />
can also be used <strong>to</strong> provide productspecific<br />
def<strong>in</strong>itions for life cycle analysis<br />
purposes. Here, <strong>the</strong> recycl<strong>in</strong>g rate of one<br />
specific product, such as end-of-life<br />
vehicles, is calculated.<br />
39
40 8. Frequently Asked Questions<br />
How much energy is saved<br />
by alum<strong>in</strong>ium recycl<strong>in</strong>g<br />
compared <strong>to</strong> primary<br />
alum<strong>in</strong>ium production?<br />
The energy required <strong>to</strong> produce one <strong>to</strong>nne<br />
of recycled alum<strong>in</strong>ium <strong>in</strong>gots from clean<br />
scrap can be as little as 5% of <strong>the</strong> energy<br />
needed <strong>to</strong> produce one <strong>to</strong>nne of primary<br />
alum<strong>in</strong>ium.<br />
However, alum<strong>in</strong>ium scrap is frequently<br />
mixed with o<strong>the</strong>r materials and additional<br />
energy may be required <strong>to</strong> separate <strong>the</strong><br />
alum<strong>in</strong>ium and protect <strong>the</strong> environment<br />
from <strong>the</strong> impact of <strong>the</strong>se materials.<br />
Fur<strong>the</strong>r energy needs relat<strong>in</strong>g <strong>to</strong> both<br />
<strong>the</strong> primary and recycled alum<strong>in</strong>ium<br />
production cha<strong>in</strong> are dependent on <strong>the</strong><br />
technology applied and <strong>the</strong> geographical<br />
location, and <strong>the</strong>refore on local energy mix<br />
and efficiency as well as transportation<br />
distances.<br />
Hence, it is only possible <strong>to</strong> calculate<br />
overall magnitude of a universal value for<br />
energy sav<strong>in</strong>gs.<br />
Is it possible <strong>to</strong> recycle<br />
alum<strong>in</strong>ium without loss of<br />
properties?<br />
Yes, recycled alum<strong>in</strong>ium can have <strong>the</strong><br />
same properties as primary alum<strong>in</strong>ium.<br />
However, <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> course of multiple<br />
recycl<strong>in</strong>g, more and more alloy<strong>in</strong>g<br />
elements are <strong>in</strong>troduced <strong>in</strong><strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> metal<br />
cycle. This effect is put <strong>to</strong> good use <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
production of cast<strong>in</strong>g alloys, which<br />
generally need <strong>the</strong>se elements <strong>to</strong> atta<strong>in</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> desired alloy properties. For <strong>in</strong>stance,<br />
<strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> composition of alloy EN-AC 46000<br />
(Al Si9Cu3 (Fe), conta<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g about 9% silicon<br />
and 3% copper), which is widely used for<br />
au<strong>to</strong>motive applications like cyl<strong>in</strong>der<br />
heads and gearboxes, <strong>the</strong> need for alloy<strong>in</strong>g<br />
elements is manifestly clear. Approximately<br />
26% of alum<strong>in</strong>ium <strong>in</strong> <strong>Europe</strong> is used for<br />
cast<strong>in</strong>gs, where alum<strong>in</strong>ium scrap is<br />
especially chosen for its valuable alloy<br />
content. Thus, alum<strong>in</strong>ium recycl<strong>in</strong>g<br />
contributes not only <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> susta<strong>in</strong>able<br />
use of alum<strong>in</strong>ium but also, <strong>to</strong> some extent,<br />
its alloy<strong>in</strong>g elements, mak<strong>in</strong>g it both<br />
economical and ecological!<br />
Many of <strong>the</strong>se alloy<strong>in</strong>g elements do,<br />
however, limit <strong>the</strong> usability of recycled<br />
alum<strong>in</strong>ium <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> production of fabricated<br />
goods, like extrusion billets or roll<strong>in</strong>g<br />
<strong>in</strong>gots. Therefore, alum<strong>in</strong>ium scrap with an<br />
alloy composition correspond<strong>in</strong>g <strong>to</strong> that of<br />
wrought alloys is separated whenever<br />
possible.
Is <strong>the</strong>re an oversupply of<br />
high-alloyed scrap?<br />
Absolutely not! As long as <strong>the</strong>re is a<br />
grow<strong>in</strong>g demand for alum<strong>in</strong>ium cast<strong>in</strong>gs<br />
worldwide, a shortage of high-alloyed<br />
scrap is closer <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> truth. The supply<br />
situation may become even worse, s<strong>in</strong>ce<br />
<strong>the</strong> au<strong>to</strong>motive revolution is just <strong>in</strong> its<br />
start<strong>in</strong>g phase <strong>in</strong> many develop<strong>in</strong>g<br />
countries.<br />
Is <strong>the</strong> recycled alum<strong>in</strong>ium<br />
content of products an<br />
<strong>in</strong>dica<strong>to</strong>r of recycl<strong>in</strong>g<br />
efficiency?<br />
“Recycled content” is a phrase with a<br />
certa<strong>in</strong> ecological appeal. But, what does<br />
it actually mean <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> context of <strong>the</strong><br />
alum<strong>in</strong>ium <strong>in</strong>dustry?<br />
From a technical po<strong>in</strong>t of view, <strong>the</strong>re is<br />
no problem <strong>to</strong> produce a new alum<strong>in</strong>ium<br />
product from <strong>the</strong> same used product. There<br />
are no quality differences between a<br />
product entirely made of primary metal<br />
and a product made of recycled metal.<br />
If all alum<strong>in</strong>ium applications were grouped<br />
<strong>to</strong>ge<strong>the</strong>r, <strong>the</strong> average global recycled<br />
content (exclud<strong>in</strong>g fabrica<strong>to</strong>r scrap) would<br />
stand at around 33% overall. But, <strong>in</strong><br />
reality, recycled content varies substantially<br />
from one product <strong>to</strong> ano<strong>the</strong>r. With <strong>the</strong><br />
cont<strong>in</strong>ued growth of <strong>the</strong> alum<strong>in</strong>ium<br />
market and <strong>the</strong> fact that most alum<strong>in</strong>ium<br />
products have a fairly long lifespan (<strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
case of build<strong>in</strong>gs, potentially more than<br />
100 years), it is not possible <strong>to</strong> achieve<br />
high recycled content <strong>in</strong> all new alum<strong>in</strong>ium<br />
products, simply because <strong>the</strong> available<br />
quantity of end-of-life alum<strong>in</strong>ium falls<br />
considerably short of <strong>to</strong>tal demand.<br />
Fur<strong>the</strong>rmore, recycled alum<strong>in</strong>ium is<br />
used where it is deemed most efficient<br />
<strong>in</strong> both economic and ecological terms.<br />
Direct<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> scrap flow <strong>to</strong>wards<br />
designated products <strong>in</strong> order <strong>to</strong> obta<strong>in</strong><br />
high recycled content <strong>in</strong> those products<br />
would <strong>in</strong>evitably mean lower recycled<br />
content <strong>in</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r products. It would also<br />
certa<strong>in</strong>ly result <strong>in</strong> <strong>in</strong>efficiency <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> global<br />
optimisation of <strong>the</strong> scrap market, as well<br />
as wast<strong>in</strong>g transportation energy. Calls<br />
<strong>to</strong> <strong>in</strong>crease recycled content <strong>in</strong> specific<br />
categories of alum<strong>in</strong>ium products make<br />
no ecological sense at all.<br />
Even though <strong>the</strong> recycled content of a<br />
particular product or product part may<br />
range from 0% <strong>to</strong> 100%, all collected<br />
alum<strong>in</strong>ium is recycled . <strong>Alum<strong>in</strong>ium</strong> that<br />
cannot be collected <strong>in</strong>cludes that used<br />
<strong>in</strong> powder, paste and for deoxidation<br />
purposes as, after use, it loses its metallic<br />
properties.<br />
41
42 8. Frequently Asked Questions<br />
What are <strong>the</strong> <strong>Europe</strong>an sources<br />
of alum<strong>in</strong>ium scrap?<br />
Recycled alum<strong>in</strong>ium is produced from both<br />
new and old scrap. New scrap is surplus<br />
material that arises dur<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> production,<br />
fabrication and manufacture of alum<strong>in</strong>ium<br />
products up <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> po<strong>in</strong>t where <strong>the</strong>y are<br />
sold <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> f<strong>in</strong>al consumer. The production<br />
route of new scrap from collection <strong>to</strong><br />
recycled metal is thus controlled by<br />
<strong>the</strong> alum<strong>in</strong>ium <strong>in</strong>dustry. Old scrap is<br />
alum<strong>in</strong>ium material that is treated and<br />
melted down after an exist<strong>in</strong>g alum<strong>in</strong>ium<br />
product has been used, discarded and<br />
collected. Based on statistics and exist<strong>in</strong>g<br />
knowledge of <strong>the</strong> <strong>Europe</strong>an alum<strong>in</strong>ium<br />
scrap flow (exclud<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>ternal scrap),<br />
approximately 40% of recycled alum<strong>in</strong>ium<br />
orig<strong>in</strong>ates from old scrap, and <strong>the</strong> rest is<br />
new scrap.<br />
Why does <strong>the</strong> <strong>in</strong>dustry not<br />
recycle 100% of all available<br />
alum<strong>in</strong>ium?<br />
The <strong>in</strong>dustry cont<strong>in</strong>ues <strong>to</strong> recycle all <strong>the</strong><br />
alum<strong>in</strong>ium collected from end-of-life<br />
goods and by-products. However, <strong>the</strong><br />
collection of alum<strong>in</strong>ium-conta<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g endof-life<br />
products from municipal waste<br />
streams (e.g. household waste) depends<br />
largely on national waste schemes. The<br />
amount collected could be <strong>in</strong>creased with<br />
<strong>the</strong> help of appropriate authorities, local<br />
communities and heightened awareness<br />
by society as a whole. The environmental<br />
feasibility of whe<strong>the</strong>r <strong>to</strong> recycle or<br />
<strong>in</strong>c<strong>in</strong>erate flexible packag<strong>in</strong>g waste, such<br />
as alum<strong>in</strong>ium lam<strong>in</strong>ated <strong>to</strong> paper and/or<br />
plastic layers, which has a very low<br />
alum<strong>in</strong>ium content can only be decided<br />
case-by-case by compar<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> specific<br />
alternatives by life cycle assessments,<br />
tak<strong>in</strong>g specific local circumstances and<br />
o<strong>the</strong>r aspects of susta<strong>in</strong>ability <strong>in</strong><strong>to</strong><br />
consideration. Generally <strong>the</strong> energy<br />
required for <strong>the</strong> production of packag<strong>in</strong>g is<br />
only a small percentage compared <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
<strong>to</strong>tal energy used <strong>to</strong> produce and supply<br />
<strong>the</strong> f<strong>in</strong>al product.<br />
If <strong>the</strong> f<strong>in</strong>al product is spoilt due <strong>to</strong><br />
<strong>in</strong>adequate packag<strong>in</strong>g material, much<br />
more energy is wasted than needed <strong>to</strong><br />
produce <strong>the</strong> packag<strong>in</strong>g itself.<br />
Dur<strong>in</strong>g all <strong>in</strong>dustrial processes <strong>in</strong>volv<strong>in</strong>g<br />
treatment and melt<strong>in</strong>g, a certa<strong>in</strong> degree of<br />
material loss is <strong>in</strong>evitable. <strong>Alum<strong>in</strong>ium</strong><br />
losses dur<strong>in</strong>g such processes are <strong>the</strong>refore<br />
unavoidable, and this holds true for all<br />
o<strong>the</strong>r materials. But a recycl<strong>in</strong>g rate of<br />
almost 100% can be achieved with new<br />
scrap, such as alum<strong>in</strong>ium sheets, because<br />
<strong>the</strong> route from collection <strong>to</strong> melt<strong>in</strong>g is<br />
entirely <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> hands of <strong>the</strong> alum<strong>in</strong>ium<br />
recycl<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>dustry.<br />
Certa<strong>in</strong> applications are not available for<br />
recycl<strong>in</strong>g as <strong>the</strong>y loose <strong>the</strong>ir metallic<br />
properties by <strong>the</strong>ir very nature. For example,<br />
<strong>in</strong> order <strong>to</strong> produce one <strong>to</strong>nne of steel <strong>in</strong><br />
a basic oxygen furnace, around 1.8 kg of<br />
alum<strong>in</strong>ium is needed for deoxidation<br />
purposes. O<strong>the</strong>r examples of metal loss<br />
<strong>in</strong>clude use as alum<strong>in</strong>ium powder or as<br />
an additive <strong>to</strong> metallic lacquers.
Due <strong>to</strong> its high aff<strong>in</strong>ity for oxygen,<br />
alum<strong>in</strong>ium always forms an oxide layer,<br />
one of <strong>the</strong> reasons why it has such<br />
excellent corrosion resistance qualities.<br />
This results, however, <strong>in</strong> loss of metal<br />
dur<strong>in</strong>g use and melt<strong>in</strong>g.<br />
In addition f<strong>in</strong>ished or end-of-life<br />
products exported out of a country or<br />
region are no longer available for recycl<strong>in</strong>g<br />
<strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>in</strong>dustry located <strong>in</strong> this area.<br />
Is alum<strong>in</strong>ium metal lost dur<strong>in</strong>g<br />
<strong>the</strong> recycl<strong>in</strong>g process?<br />
<strong>Alum<strong>in</strong>ium</strong> which has been collected at<br />
<strong>the</strong> end of its useful life has <strong>to</strong> undergo<br />
various sort<strong>in</strong>g and treatment processes<br />
before it can be melted down aga<strong>in</strong>. Along<br />
<strong>the</strong> way, some metal is lost. Due <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
complexity of <strong>the</strong>se processes and <strong>the</strong><br />
great variety of scrap types, it is still not<br />
possible <strong>to</strong> quantify <strong>the</strong>se losses exactly,<br />
but <strong>the</strong>y range between 0 and 10%. Metal<br />
loss <strong>in</strong> case of clean, clearly identifiable<br />
alum<strong>in</strong>ium scrap, which can be used<br />
directly for melt<strong>in</strong>g, can be practically<br />
none, while scrap conta<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g foreign<br />
materials that needs <strong>to</strong> undergo several<br />
process<strong>in</strong>g steps may lose some metal<br />
on its way <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> furnace. Dur<strong>in</strong>g melt<strong>in</strong>g,<br />
<strong>the</strong> EU-15 alum<strong>in</strong>ium recycl<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>dustry<br />
was able <strong>to</strong> achieve a metal recovery rate<br />
of 98%.<br />
Typical metal losses dur<strong>in</strong>g scrap melt<strong>in</strong>g<br />
<strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> recycl<strong>in</strong>g of skimm<strong>in</strong>gs and<br />
salt slag range from 1 <strong>to</strong> 5% depend<strong>in</strong>g<br />
on <strong>the</strong> application and <strong>the</strong> furnace<br />
technology.<br />
43
44 8. Frequently Asked Questions<br />
Should a w<strong>in</strong>dow frame be<br />
recycled back <strong>in</strong><strong>to</strong> a w<strong>in</strong>dow<br />
frame?<br />
From a technical and ecological po<strong>in</strong>t of<br />
view, whe<strong>the</strong>r a w<strong>in</strong>dow frame is made of<br />
what was previously a w<strong>in</strong>dow frame or<br />
a door is <strong>to</strong>tally irrelevant. In <strong>the</strong> context<br />
of <strong>the</strong> global alum<strong>in</strong>ium market, it is<br />
po<strong>in</strong>tless <strong>to</strong> track end-of-life alum<strong>in</strong>ium<br />
<strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> next alum<strong>in</strong>ium product. <strong>Recycl<strong>in</strong>g</strong><br />
with<strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> same product group or not<br />
is simply a question of end-of-life<br />
alum<strong>in</strong>ium availability, collection and<br />
sort<strong>in</strong>g logistics, and <strong>the</strong> economics<br />
of recycl<strong>in</strong>g, as <strong>the</strong> ultimate objective<br />
is <strong>to</strong> obta<strong>in</strong> optimal added value for <strong>the</strong><br />
metal.<br />
What happens <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> emissions<br />
generated dur<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> melt<strong>in</strong>g<br />
of scrap?<br />
The most significant emissions result<strong>in</strong>g<br />
from <strong>the</strong> alum<strong>in</strong>ium recycl<strong>in</strong>g process<br />
are emissions released <strong>in</strong><strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> air.<br />
These <strong>in</strong>clude dust and smoke, metal<br />
compounds, organic materials, nitrogen<br />
oxides, sulphur dioxides and chlorides.<br />
State-of-<strong>the</strong>-art technology is used <strong>to</strong><br />
extract fumes and o<strong>the</strong>r emissions and <strong>to</strong><br />
reduce fugitive emissions. Emission limits,<br />
stipulated <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> reference document on<br />
Best Available Techniques <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> Non-<br />
Ferrous Metal Industries, which forms<br />
part of <strong>the</strong> broader Integrated Pollution<br />
Prevention and Control measures, are<br />
EU-wide benchmarks.<br />
In addition, <strong>the</strong>re are regional regulations,<br />
like <strong>the</strong> new TA Luft <strong>in</strong> Germany, that<br />
provide a standard for o<strong>the</strong>r countries and<br />
are even more str<strong>in</strong>gent. The limits for<br />
diox<strong>in</strong> emissions are very strict, <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
range of
What happens <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> salt slag<br />
and o<strong>the</strong>r residues generated<br />
dur<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> recycl<strong>in</strong>g process?<br />
<strong>Alum<strong>in</strong>ium</strong> salt slag is a mixture of salts,<br />
alum<strong>in</strong>ium oxide, metallic alum<strong>in</strong>ium and<br />
impurities, extracted from alum<strong>in</strong>ium scrap<br />
dur<strong>in</strong>g melt<strong>in</strong>g. It is <strong>the</strong> typical residue<br />
left beh<strong>in</strong>d when alum<strong>in</strong>ium scrap is<br />
melted <strong>in</strong> a rotary furnace. Rotary furnaces<br />
are commonly employed for alum<strong>in</strong>ium<br />
scrap conta<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g foreign materials.<br />
Depend<strong>in</strong>g on <strong>the</strong> k<strong>in</strong>d of rotary furnace<br />
used and <strong>the</strong> type of scrap be<strong>in</strong>g melted,<br />
anyth<strong>in</strong>g up <strong>to</strong> 500 kg of salt slag can be<br />
generated <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> production of one <strong>to</strong>nne<br />
of alum<strong>in</strong>ium metal. Salt slag, which<br />
used <strong>to</strong> be land filled, is now recycled.<br />
The salt that is applied dur<strong>in</strong>g melt<strong>in</strong>g can<br />
be completely recovered and used aga<strong>in</strong><br />
for <strong>the</strong> same purpose by <strong>the</strong> ref<strong>in</strong>er. The<br />
metallic alum<strong>in</strong>ium is also recovered and<br />
utilised <strong>to</strong> produce alum<strong>in</strong>ium alloys.<br />
The rema<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g residues, ma<strong>in</strong>ly alum<strong>in</strong>ium<br />
oxide and impurities, are rendered <strong>in</strong>ert<br />
and subsequently used by <strong>the</strong> cement<br />
<strong>in</strong>dustry or, if this is not possible, land<br />
filled.<br />
Filter dust, which arises dur<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong><br />
clean<strong>in</strong>g and de-acidification of gaseous<br />
combustion products, is deemed <strong>to</strong> be<br />
hazardous waste and is partly land filled<br />
or recycled. Skimm<strong>in</strong>gs and, <strong>in</strong> some cases,<br />
furnace l<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>gs are recycled with<strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
alum<strong>in</strong>ium recycl<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>dustry.<br />
45
46<br />
9. Glossary<br />
Cast<strong>in</strong>g alloys<br />
<strong>Alum<strong>in</strong>ium</strong> alloys primarily used for <strong>the</strong><br />
production of cast<strong>in</strong>gs, i.e. products at<br />
or near <strong>the</strong>ir f<strong>in</strong>ished shape, formed by<br />
solidification of <strong>the</strong> metal <strong>in</strong> a mould<br />
or a die.<br />
Note 1: In general, <strong>the</strong>se alum<strong>in</strong>ium alloys<br />
have an alloy concentration of up <strong>to</strong> 20%,<br />
mostly silicon, magnesium and copper.<br />
Note 2: Typical cast<strong>in</strong>gs are cyl<strong>in</strong>der heads,<br />
eng<strong>in</strong>e blocks and gearboxes <strong>in</strong> cars,<br />
components used <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> mechanical<br />
and electrical eng<strong>in</strong>eer<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>dustries,<br />
components for household equipment<br />
and many o<strong>the</strong>r applications.<br />
Deoxidation alum<strong>in</strong>ium<br />
<strong>Alum<strong>in</strong>ium</strong> consist<strong>in</strong>g of alloys with a<br />
high concentration of metallic alum<strong>in</strong>ium<br />
(usually exceed<strong>in</strong>g 95%) used <strong>to</strong> remove<br />
free oxygen from liquid steel.<br />
EAA<br />
<strong>Europe</strong>an <strong>Alum<strong>in</strong>ium</strong> Association.<br />
Represents <strong>the</strong> alum<strong>in</strong>ium <strong>in</strong>dustry <strong>in</strong><br />
<strong>Europe</strong>.<br />
End-of-life alum<strong>in</strong>ium<br />
<strong>Alum<strong>in</strong>ium</strong> that has been discarded by<br />
its end-user.<br />
<strong>Europe</strong><br />
Includes EU-25, Bosnia-Herzegov<strong>in</strong>a,<br />
Croatia, Iceland, Norway, Romania, Serbia-<br />
Montenegro, Switzerland and Turkey.<br />
Foundry <strong>in</strong>dustry<br />
Ma<strong>in</strong> cus<strong>to</strong>mers of ref<strong>in</strong>ers. They produce<br />
a wide variety of cast<strong>in</strong>gs which are mostly<br />
used <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> transport sec<strong>to</strong>r.<br />
Internal scrap<br />
Scrap that is melted <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> same<br />
company or company group <strong>in</strong> which it<br />
was generated.<br />
Note: Internal scrap is also known as<br />
turnaround, <strong>in</strong>-house or home scrap.<br />
New scrap<br />
Raw material ma<strong>in</strong>ly consist<strong>in</strong>g of<br />
alum<strong>in</strong>ium and/or alum<strong>in</strong>ium alloys,<br />
result<strong>in</strong>g from <strong>the</strong> collection and/or<br />
treatment of metal that arises dur<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong><br />
production, of alum<strong>in</strong>ium products before<br />
<strong>the</strong> alum<strong>in</strong>ium product is sold <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
f<strong>in</strong>al user.<br />
Note: Fabrica<strong>to</strong>r and <strong>in</strong>ternal scrap are<br />
<strong>in</strong>cluded <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> term new scrap.
OEA<br />
Organisation of <strong>Europe</strong>an <strong>Alum<strong>in</strong>ium</strong><br />
Ref<strong>in</strong>ers and Remelters. Represents <strong>the</strong><br />
alum<strong>in</strong>ium recycl<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>dustry <strong>in</strong> <strong>Europe</strong><br />
and globally.<br />
Old scrap<br />
Raw material ma<strong>in</strong>ly consist<strong>in</strong>g of<br />
alum<strong>in</strong>ium and/or alum<strong>in</strong>ium alloys,<br />
result<strong>in</strong>g from <strong>the</strong> collection and/or<br />
treatment of products after use.<br />
Primary alum<strong>in</strong>ium<br />
Unalloyed alum<strong>in</strong>ium produced from<br />
alum<strong>in</strong>a usually by electrolysis, typically<br />
with an alum<strong>in</strong>ium content of 99.7%.<br />
Recycled alum<strong>in</strong>ium<br />
<strong>Alum<strong>in</strong>ium</strong> <strong>in</strong>got obta<strong>in</strong>ed by recycl<strong>in</strong>g<br />
of scrap.<br />
Note 1: Recycled alum<strong>in</strong>ium has replaced<br />
<strong>the</strong> term secondary alum<strong>in</strong>ium.<br />
Note 2: In this brochure <strong>the</strong> quantity of<br />
recycled alum<strong>in</strong>ium is based on statistics<br />
and <strong>in</strong>cludes alum<strong>in</strong>ium produced from<br />
<strong>to</strong>lled and purchased scrap.<br />
<strong>Recycl<strong>in</strong>g</strong><br />
<strong>Alum<strong>in</strong>ium</strong> collection and subsequent<br />
treatment and melt<strong>in</strong>g of scrap.<br />
Ref<strong>in</strong>er<br />
Producer of cast<strong>in</strong>g alloys and deoxidation<br />
alum<strong>in</strong>ium from scrap of vary<strong>in</strong>g<br />
composition. Ref<strong>in</strong>ers are able <strong>to</strong> add<br />
alloy<strong>in</strong>g elements and remove certa<strong>in</strong><br />
unwanted elements after <strong>the</strong> melt<strong>in</strong>g<br />
process.<br />
Remelter<br />
Producer of wrought alloys, usually <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
form of extrusion billets and roll<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>gots<br />
from ma<strong>in</strong>ly clean and sorted wrought<br />
alloy scrap.<br />
Skimm<strong>in</strong>gs<br />
Material composed of <strong>in</strong>timately mixed<br />
alum<strong>in</strong>ium, alum<strong>in</strong>ium oxides and gases,<br />
which has been removed from <strong>the</strong> surface<br />
of <strong>the</strong> molten metal or from <strong>the</strong> bot<strong>to</strong>m<br />
and walls of liquid metal conta<strong>in</strong>ers, e.g.<br />
furnaces or transport ladles or transfer<br />
channels.<br />
Note: Skimm<strong>in</strong>gs are also known as dross.<br />
47
48<br />
Salt slag<br />
9. Glossary<br />
Residue generated after remelt<strong>in</strong>g of<br />
alum<strong>in</strong>ium scrap with flux<strong>in</strong>g salt,<br />
consist<strong>in</strong>g of salt <strong>in</strong> which metallic and<br />
non-metallic particles are entrapped <strong>in</strong><br />
amounts that exhaust its flux<strong>in</strong>g properties<br />
Note: Flux<strong>in</strong>g salt is used ma<strong>in</strong>ly for<br />
ref<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> rotat<strong>in</strong>g furnaces <strong>in</strong> order <strong>to</strong>:<br />
1. cover <strong>the</strong> molten metal <strong>to</strong> prevent<br />
oxidation,<br />
2. <strong>in</strong>crease <strong>the</strong> net metal yield,<br />
3. clean <strong>the</strong> metal from non-metallic<br />
<strong>in</strong>clusions and dissolved metallic<br />
impurities (e.g. calcium and<br />
magnesium) and<br />
4. enhance <strong>the</strong>rmal efficiency <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
furnace.<br />
Treatment<br />
Mechanical and <strong>the</strong>rmal process<strong>in</strong>g of<br />
scrap, <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> separation of<br />
alum<strong>in</strong>ium scrap from o<strong>the</strong>r materials and<br />
<strong>the</strong> pre-process<strong>in</strong>g of scrap before it enters<br />
<strong>the</strong> furnace.<br />
Western <strong>Europe</strong><br />
EU-25 and EFTA plus Turkey.<br />
Wrought alloys<br />
<strong>Alum<strong>in</strong>ium</strong> alloys primarily used for wrought<br />
products by hot and/or cold work<strong>in</strong>g.<br />
Note 1: In general, <strong>the</strong>se alum<strong>in</strong>ium alloys<br />
have an alloy concentration of up <strong>to</strong> 10%,<br />
mostly manganese, magnesium, silicon,<br />
copper and z<strong>in</strong>c.<br />
Note 2: Typical wrought products are sheet,<br />
foil, extruded profiles or forg<strong>in</strong>gs.
10. Fur<strong>the</strong>r Read<strong>in</strong>g<br />
Bo<strong>in</strong> U.M.J. and Bertram M., 2005.<br />
Melt<strong>in</strong>g Standardized <strong>Alum<strong>in</strong>ium</strong> Scrap: A Mass Balance<br />
Model for <strong>Europe</strong>. JOM 57 (8), pp. 26–33.<br />
EAA, Fact Sheets (permanently updated).<br />
www.alum<strong>in</strong>ium.org<br />
EAA, 2004. Environmental Profile Report and <strong>Alum<strong>in</strong>ium</strong><br />
<strong>Recycl<strong>in</strong>g</strong> <strong>in</strong> LCA. Reference year 2002.<br />
EAA and TU Delft, 2004. Collection of <strong>Alum<strong>in</strong>ium</strong> from<br />
Build<strong>in</strong>gs <strong>in</strong> <strong>Europe</strong>. Brochure and F<strong>in</strong>al Report.<br />
<strong>Europe</strong>an Commission, 2001. Reference Document on Best<br />
Available Techniques <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> Non-Ferrous Metal Industries.<br />
http://eippcb.jrc.es<br />
<strong>Europe</strong>an Committee for Standardization, 2006.<br />
<strong>Alum<strong>in</strong>ium</strong> and <strong>Alum<strong>in</strong>ium</strong> Alloys–Environmental Aspects<br />
of <strong>Alum<strong>in</strong>ium</strong> Products–General Guidel<strong>in</strong>es for <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
Inclusion <strong>in</strong> Standards.<br />
<strong>Europe</strong>an Committee for Standardization, 2003. <strong>Alum<strong>in</strong>ium</strong><br />
and <strong>Alum<strong>in</strong>ium</strong> Alloys-Scrap-Part 1 <strong>to</strong> 16. EN 13920.<br />
Gesamtverband der <strong>Alum<strong>in</strong>ium</strong><strong>in</strong>dustrie e.V.<br />
Fact Sheets (permanently updated). www.alu<strong>in</strong>fo.de<br />
Glimm S., 1989. <strong>Alum<strong>in</strong>ium</strong>: <strong>Recycl<strong>in</strong>g</strong>rate über 70% -<br />
Überlegungen zur Berechnung und Aussagekraft von<br />
<strong>Recycl<strong>in</strong>g</strong>raten am Beispiel von <strong>Alum<strong>in</strong>ium</strong>.<br />
Zeitschrift <strong>Alum<strong>in</strong>ium</strong> 11 (1989).<br />
IAI, OEA and EAA, 2006. <strong>Alum<strong>in</strong>ium</strong> <strong>Recycl<strong>in</strong>g</strong>:<br />
A Corners<strong>to</strong>ne of Susta<strong>in</strong>able Development.<br />
www.world-alum<strong>in</strong>ium.org<br />
Kuksh<strong>in</strong>richs W. and Martens P. N., 2003.<br />
Resource-Orientated Analysis of Metallic Raw Materials.<br />
Series: Matter and Materials, Volume 17.<br />
Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Jülich, Germany.<br />
Peck P., 2003. Interest <strong>in</strong> Material Cycle Closure?<br />
Explor<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> Evolution of <strong>the</strong> Industry’s Responses <strong>to</strong><br />
<strong>High</strong>-Grade <strong>Recycl<strong>in</strong>g</strong> from an Industrial Ecology<br />
Perspective. Doc<strong>to</strong>ral Dissertation, September 2003.<br />
Lund University, Lund, Sweden.<br />
VDS, 2000. <strong>Alum<strong>in</strong>ium</strong> <strong>Recycl<strong>in</strong>g</strong> – Vom Vors<strong>to</strong>ff bis<br />
zur fertigen Legierung.<br />
<strong>Alum<strong>in</strong>ium</strong> Verlag, Düsseldorf, Germany.<br />
Websites:<br />
www.oea-alurecycl<strong>in</strong>g.org<br />
www.alum<strong>in</strong>ium.org<br />
www.world-alum<strong>in</strong>ium.org<br />
49
50<br />
Edi<strong>to</strong>r<br />
EAA/OEA <strong>Recycl<strong>in</strong>g</strong> Division<br />
Text<br />
Marlen Bertram, OEA/EAA<br />
Mira Hryniuk, freelance writer<br />
Günter Kirchner, OEA/EAA<br />
François Pruvost, EAA Packag<strong>in</strong>g<br />
Pho<strong>to</strong>s<br />
EAA <strong>Europe</strong>an <strong>Alum<strong>in</strong>ium</strong> Association<br />
Kommunikation und Design Bernard Langerock<br />
VAR Verband der <strong>Alum<strong>in</strong>ium</strong>recycl<strong>in</strong>g-Industrie e.V.<br />
VAW-IMCO Guss und <strong>Recycl<strong>in</strong>g</strong> GmbH<br />
Holger Ludwig<br />
Jan van Houwel<strong>in</strong>gen, TU Delft<br />
Graphic Design<br />
Kommunikation und Design Bernard Langerock<br />
www.langerockdesign.de<br />
Pr<strong>in</strong>ter<br />
DCM Druckcenter Meckenheim, Germany<br />
Environmentally friendly produced<br />
Burgo Luxo-Card 250 g/m 2<br />
Burgo Dacostern 170 g/m 2<br />
Contacts<br />
EAA/OEA <strong>Recycl<strong>in</strong>g</strong> Division<br />
12, Avenue de Broqueville<br />
B-1150 Brussels<br />
Phone +32 2 775 63 63<br />
Fax +32 2 779 05 31<br />
office@oea-alurecycl<strong>in</strong>g.org<br />
eaa@eaa.be<br />
www.oea-alurecycl<strong>in</strong>g.org<br />
www.eaa.net<br />
Thanks <strong>to</strong><br />
Kurt Buxmann, Alcan<br />
Peter Furrer, Novelis<br />
Jürg Gerber, Alcan<br />
Stefan Glimm, EAFA<br />
Jim Morrison, OEA<br />
Jörg Schäfer, GDA<br />
Pål Vigeland, Hydro<br />
©2006<br />
<strong>Europe</strong>an <strong>Alum<strong>in</strong>ium</strong> Association<br />
and Organisation of <strong>Europe</strong>an <strong>Alum<strong>in</strong>ium</strong><br />
Ref<strong>in</strong>ers and Remelters<br />
Reliability statement:<br />
This <strong>in</strong>formation is given <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> best of<br />
our knowledge, but without warranty.<br />
The application, use and process<strong>in</strong>g of<br />
<strong>the</strong> products is beyond our control and,<br />
<strong>the</strong>refore, entirely your own responsibility.
The Global <strong>Recycl<strong>in</strong>g</strong> Messages<br />
<strong>Alum<strong>in</strong>ium</strong> can be recycled over and over aga<strong>in</strong><br />
without loss of properties. The high value of<br />
alum<strong>in</strong>ium scrap is a key <strong>in</strong>centive and major<br />
economic impetus for recycl<strong>in</strong>g.<br />
Industry cont<strong>in</strong>ues <strong>to</strong> recycle, without subsidy,<br />
all <strong>the</strong> alum<strong>in</strong>ium collected from used<br />
products, as well as fabrication and<br />
manufactur<strong>in</strong>g processes. However, with<br />
<strong>the</strong> help of appropriate authorities, local<br />
communities and society as a whole,<br />
<strong>the</strong> amount of alum<strong>in</strong>ium collected could<br />
be <strong>in</strong>creased fur<strong>the</strong>r.<br />
<strong>Alum<strong>in</strong>ium</strong> recycl<strong>in</strong>g benefits present and<br />
future generations by conserv<strong>in</strong>g energy and<br />
o<strong>the</strong>r natural resources. It saves approximately<br />
95% of <strong>the</strong> energy required for primary<br />
alum<strong>in</strong>ium production, <strong>the</strong>reby avoid<strong>in</strong>g<br />
correspond<strong>in</strong>g emissions, <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g greenhouse<br />
gases.<br />
Global alum<strong>in</strong>ium recycl<strong>in</strong>g rates are high,<br />
approximately 90% for transport and<br />
construction applications and about 60%<br />
for beverage cans.<br />
The grow<strong>in</strong>g markets for alum<strong>in</strong>ium are<br />
supplied by both primary and recycled metal<br />
sources. Increas<strong>in</strong>g demand for alum<strong>in</strong>ium and<br />
<strong>the</strong> long lifetime of many products mean that,<br />
for <strong>the</strong> foreseeable future, <strong>the</strong> overall volume<br />
of primary metal produced from bauxite will<br />
cont<strong>in</strong>ue <strong>to</strong> be substantially greater than <strong>the</strong><br />
volume of available recycled metal.