With its Recycling Pavilion ALUMINIUM 2016 reflects the stronger focus of the aluminium industry on material and resource efficiency. According to information from the industry association EUROPEAN ALUMINIUM, 52 % of production already comes from recycled aluminium in Europe. In 2015 this figure amounted to 10.5 million t. In Germany 620,100 t of aluminium were produced by means of re-melting in 2015 says GDA, the German Confederation of the Aluminium Industry – 3.5 % more than in the previous year. Over the same period the production of primary aluminium in Germany amounted to 541,400 t (plus 2 %).
Since 2005 global demand for aluminium scrap (new scrap from aluminium production as well as capital scrap from used products) has doubled and will continue rising strongly over the coming years. As with primary aluminium, the transport industry is one of the growth engines. Automobile makers such as Ford, Mercedes, BMW and Jaguar confirm their commitment to recycled aluminium. This in turn faces the complete aluminium-processing industry with supply problems: at present only approx. 30 % of the demand for aluminium can be satisfied with scrap on a global scale. So innovations in recycling are becoming a crucial factor in the future-proofing and competitivity of aluminium in all application industries.
To satisfy the increased demand for aluminium and to use urban sources of raw materials from scrap more intensely in future, the industry is massively expanding its recycling capacities. New sorting technologies will therefore increase in importance in the medium term. Only early May saw aluminium group Hydro, an exhibitor at ALUMINIUM 2016, commission a new plant for recycling up to 50,000 t of waste beverage cans annually at its site in Neuss. Here the company focuses on proprietary and patented sorting technology.
Earlier this year Novelis together with Jaguar Land Rover already launched a new alloy with a recycled portion of up to 75 %, which is particularly suited for structural components of car bodies in mass production. Aluminium recycling not only closes a supply gap, but is also developing into a driver for the industry while creating employment at the same time: by European Aluminium’s account, 6,000 jobs are already directly, and 25,000 indirectly linked to aluminium recycling processes in Europe.
But the industry faces major challenges – in sorting as well as in the melting of scrap. The tasks to be performed by consumers, processers and recyclers range from the closing of material cycles to modern, efficient recycling processes. ALUMINIUM 2016 showcases the required know-how and the industry’s recycling expertise.
In Hall 11 that primarily addresses the topics of primary production and recycling, the trade fair organizers have set up a special area with a themed pavilion where companies specialized in recycling exhibit their solutions for reclaiming aluminium scrap. The Recycling Pavilion targets scrap dealers, sorting line manufacturers, shredding plants, remelters and secondary aluminium vendors, to name but a few.
ALUMINIUM takes place from 29 November to 1 December 2016 in Düsseldorf. For further information please visit: www.aluminium-messe.com