It has always been worthwhile economically to use aluminium in a closed loop comprising metal extraction, processing, use and recovery. The major advantage of the metal is its almost unlimited recyclability. For example, scrap profiles or used aluminium sheet and foil can be used to make new profiles, new rolled products or even other high quality products. The amount of secondary aluminium in use is growing continuously.

The commitment to sustainability manifests itself in various ways:

In addition to the recycling loops for the product itself, the aluminium industry also recycles operating and auxiliary materials such as the core sand used to make the moulds required for the sand casting of engine blocks and cylinder heads, the rolling oils used in the manufacture of semi-finished products, solvent residues from processes for lacquering foil and the caustic soda needed in the production of aluminium oxide. The salts used in recycling to tie up the impurities are a further example: they are also recovered. This minimises interference with the ecosystem and encourages sustainability.