Aluminium Recycling in Europe: the Road to High

These processes include sink-float and
eddy current separation and result in an
aluminium fraction covered by EN 13290-9.
A new process being developed to sort
aluminium scrap metallurgically utilises
laser and spectroscopic technology. This
technology, is now at an advanced stage
of development, looks very promising.
Aluminium scrap collected using the
various separation procedures is mainly
processed into aluminium casting alloys,
which serve as pre-material for the
production of castings. Typical applications
include engines and gearboxes.
Due to the increased use of aluminium
wrought alloys in car bodies, a growing
volume of wrought alloy scrap is
anticipated as of 2015/2020. From then on,
the separate collection of wrought alloys
from cars will be economically viable.
Aluminium used in other modes of
transport is collected separately at endof-life,
when commercial vehicles,
aeroplanes, railway coaches, ships, etc. are
dismantled. As the aluminium parts are
often too large to be immediately melted
in the furnace, they must first be reduced
to small pieces by processes such as
shearing. Aluminium-intensive trailers
often spend their entire life in the same
region, where they are eventually
dismantled and subsequently melted by
refiners or remelters. Most aluminiumcontaining
ships and railway coaches are
still in use due to aluminium’s relatively
recent history in these applications and its
long-lasting performance.
Building
In order to raise people’s awareness of the
excellent recycling properties of aluminium
and the extent of its scrap potential in
the building sector, the EAA commissioned
Delft University of Technology to conduct
a scientific study investigating aluminium
content and collection rates in European
buildings. The demolition of a significant
number of buildings in six European
countries was closely monitored and
comprehensive data were gathered. The
collection rates of aluminium in this sector
were found to vary between 92 and 98%,
demonstrating aluminium’s pivotal role
in the pursuit of full sustainability.
Although it was revealed that the average
aluminium inventory per building is
currently less than 1% of the overall mass,
the quantities of aluminium recovered
from demolition sites often yield a
substantial profit for the contractor.
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