Aluminium products make a further contribution. Aluminium’s properties enable maximum functionality to be achieved with minimal use of material. High recycling rates create an almost-closed material loop. Aluminium is simply a recyclable material.

Continuous Reduction in the Energy required

The aluminium industry has successfully reduced energy consumption in its production processes. Primary aluminium production in particular is a good example of how the aluminium industry harmonises its economic and ecological objectives. Whereas 21 kilowatt-hours of electricity were needed to produce a kilogram of aluminium in 1951, the average figure in more modern plants is now only 13 kilowatt-hours as a result of improved process engineering. Every opportunity to reduce energy consumption still further is utilised.

A modern industry cannot afford to stand still in the other stages of production either. That is why the energy consumption for the production of aluminium semi-finished products or foil is also continually being evaluated. Here, continuous improvement means a continuous reduction in the energy required.

Increased Recycling of Aluminium

Recycling is becoming increasingly more important particularly in countries like Germany with few natural resources. However, in addition to the national-economy aspect, the recycling of aluminium offers ecological and economic benefits. It only requires five per cent of the energy used to produce primary aluminium. Furthermore, recycling reduces emissions. Germany is the world leader when it comes to recycling in the packaging sector. This is because all packaging, whether it be aluminium cans or foil, is recycled and new aluminium is obtained from the used products and processed to make new, high-grade products. However, it is too narrow a view to illustrate recycling by only taking optimisation of the energy required into consideration. Recycling conserves resources, eases the demands made on waste disposal sites, reduces emissions. In short, recycling is worthwhile for the environment.

In Germany, more aluminium is now produced via the secondary route than the primary one. This optimises the life-cycle assessment of aluminium products with respect to the consumption of energy and water, waste produced, emissions, consumption of raw materials and disposal. This shows how year for year the material’s almost endless life cycle increasingly benefits man and his environment.

Reducing the Use of Material

Whether in transport and transportation, packaging, or building and construction, the continual reduction in the amount of material used for a product without any reduction in its functionality represents another contribution to the conservation of resources. For example, a beverage can requires 40 per cent less aluminium today than it did in 1980. Similar examples can be cited for other product segments, such as engine blocks and aluminium roofs.

A simple formula applies: less material means that less energy and less raw materials are used in the manufacture and use of a product.

Reduction of Emissions and Waste

Environmentally friendly development also demands the reduction of pollutant discharges, from production processes, that can endanger human health and the ability of the natural environment to adapt.

In this respect, the optimisation of production processes and the installation of pollution control equipment in Germany are on a par with the highest standards worldwide. The plant-specific environmental protection of the aluminium industry is exemplary.

Measures such as the following have contributed to a drastic reduction in emissions of pollutants:

These measures help improve the efficiency of the aluminium industry, reduce the demands made on the environment and make a contribution to sustainable development.