A complex life-cycle story
Aluminium is infinitely recyclable and is often a go-to choice when considering sustainability and circularity. The unique properties of aluminium mean that the metal has a big role to play in the creation of a more circular economy.
However, these properties are just the start of a complex life-cycle story, presenting various challenges to designers, engineers and others. Every challenge is an opportunity for innovation and an opportunity to mirror natural cycles more closely in the way we use materials.
Click on the bubbles to find out more about some of the challenges facing aluminium.
Click on the bubbles to find out more
BUT
Aluminium’s light weight contributes to increased fuel efficiency in vehicles http://www.aluminum.org/aluminum-sustainability#sthash.N8Cm6zDw.dpuf
Primary aluminium production is highly electro-intensive, and electricity accounts for about 30–40% of production costs, so recycling is very important http://ec.europa.eu/DocsRoom/documents/7084/attachments/1/translations/en/renditions/native
BUT
Recycling rates for aluminium cans are good globally – they average about 73% and exceed 90% in Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Germany, Japan, Sweden and Switzerland http://www.marcgunther.com/when-green-business-isnt-enough/
The purity of recycled aluminium can be compromised after recycling when products from several industries are processed as one stream – additives used in one industry may be contaminants in another http://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_ENV_TowardsCircularEconomy_Report_2014.pdf
BUT
Aluminium remains in use for many years (according to the International Aluminium Institute, 75% of the aluminium produced since 1888 is still in use) http://www.marcgunther.com/when-green-business-isnt-enough/
As markets for aluminium use are still growing, we need more product recycling to reduce the need for Primary Aluminium, 50.2 million tonnes of which were consumed in 2013 (23.2 million tonnes in China alone)
BUT
When you recycle a can, it can be back on the shelf in as little as 60 days in a continuous recycling loop (113,000 aluminium cans are recycled every minute) http://www.aluminum.org/aluminum-advantage/facts-glance#sthash.iwbQXcvm.dpuf
In 2014 nearly 50 million tonnes of e-waste was generated. This is expected to increase to 65m by 2017. http://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/50m-tonnes-ewaste-designers-manufacturers-recyclers-electronic-junk
BUT
Pure aluminium is 100% recyclable with no downgrading of its qualities http://www.european-aluminium.eu/about-aluminium/properties/
Aluminium alloys are used extensively for a higher strength to weight ratio than pure aluminium, and this makes the recycling process more complex http://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_ENV_TowardsCircularEconomy_Report_2014.pdf
Who We Are and What We Do
Novelis and Forum for the Future share a commitment to sustainability. Novelis is working for long-term systemic change in how we produce and transform materials and is partnering with Forum for the Future to support and encourage wider adoption of circularity.
NOVELIS
Novelis Inc. is the global leader in aluminium rolled products and the world’s largest recycler of aluminium, delivering unique solutions for the most demanding global applications, such as beverage cans, automobiles, architecture and consumer electronics. In 2014 Novelis opened the world’s largest cutting-edge aluminium recycling facility in Nachterstedt, Germany.
FORUM FOR THE FUTURE
Forum is an independent non-profit organisation that works globally with business, government and others to solve complex sustainability challenges. We believe it is critical to transform the key systems we rely on to shape a brighter future and innovate for long-term success.
Thanks also go to a number of contributors and interviewees including Jaguar Land Rover, The Agency of Design, Ellen MacArthur Foundation, GKN Land Systems, Knowledge Transfer Network and Julian Allwood, professor of engineering and the environment at Cambridge University.
NOVELIS
Novelis Inc. is the global leader in aluminium rolled products and the world’s largest recycler of aluminium, delivering unique solutions for the most demanding global applications, such as beverage cans, automobiles, architecture and consumer electronics. In 2014 Novelis opened the world’s largest cutting-edge aluminium recycling facility in Nachterstedt, Germany.
FORUM FOR THE FUTURE
Forum is an independent non-profit organisation that works globally with business, government and others to solve complex sustainability challenges. We believe it is critical to transform the key systems we rely on to shape a brighter future and innovate for long-term success.
