Aluminium products made from recycled aluminium
Life Cycle Transition
About the Product
Aluminium is the third most common element in the earth’s crust and the most widely used non-ferrous metal. The starting material is bauxite, which is turned into aluminium hydroxide by drying, grinding and the addition of caustic soda. Through a roasting process, this is in turn processed into aluminium oxide. With fused-salt electrolysis, the conversion to aluminium takes place. This process requires the use of heavy current, which makes the production very energy-intensive.
Hydro’s Aluminium Circal is a façade profile made from post-consumer recycled aluminium. Through modern sorting technology and the use of renewable energy sources such as hydropower at the production site, greenhouse gas emissions can be reduced. Hydro Circal has a minimum content of 75% post-consumer recycled aluminium. According to the manufacturer, the value refers exclusively to aluminium that has reached its maximum service life as a used product. By using recycled material, only energy needs to be sonsumed for the melting process, a significantly lower energy input compared to the electrolysis process. Thus, up to 85% energy and emissions can be saved compared to conventional products without recyclate.
Aluminium in general is a robust material, partly due to the oxide layer (anodising) that forms when exposed to oxygen, making it corrosion-resistant. Its application is versatile and is not limited to the building industry, where it is used as window or door frames, façade or roof elements and substructures, but it is also used in aircraft, cars, computers or even packaging.
If they are pure, aluminium products can be completely recycled. Most coatings are not problematic because they melt when exposed to high temperatures. Hydro Circal can be recycled again at the end of its life at a similar quality level.
Manufacturer: Hydro Aluminium Rolled Products GmbH