14 DECEMBER 2011Infolink
Aluminium products are sustainable
Edited by : AL CIRCLE
2 min read
Building materials such as DecoWood timber look aluminium products, available from Decorative Imaging are highly sustainable, according to findings from a recent global research by the International Aluminium Institute.
The research into the sustainability of aluminium reveals that while the life cycle of most building products is referred to as ‘cradle to grave’, the recyclability of aluminium ensures it is more ‘cradle to cradle’ as aluminium building products head back to the recycling centre once they reach the end of their long useful life.
Approximately 75% of all the aluminium ever produced is still being used in some form, having been through countless loops of its life cycle. Aluminium can be recycled an unlimited number of times with negligible loss of properties so that recycled aluminium is as strong and durable as virgin metal.
While aluminium has a high embedded energy, the recycling process only requires 5% of the energy used for primary production. Additionally, with the industry sourcing more of its electrical energy from renewable sources such as hydropower, there has been a 17% dip in carbon dioxide emissions since 2000.
Despite an increase in the production of aluminium, significant reductions in total greenhouse gas emissions have been recorded in the last two decades. The industry is aiming to reduce emissions by a further 50% by 2020.
The high value of aluminium scrap is giving demolishers an added incentive to recycle the material. It is estimated that there are about 400 million tonnes of aluminium worldwide currently in use, which can be recycled for use by future generations.
Additionally, bauxite mining is considered land area footprint neutral, as the annual rehabilitation area of existing bauxite mining areas is equal to the average annual area being opened up.
In addition to advantages such as recyclability, reduced energy use and lower carbon emissions, aluminium is also a highly versatile material that can be decorated in a number of finishes.
The DecoWood timber look aluminium for instance, prevents the need to use timber in building applications.
The research into the sustainability of aluminium reveals that while the life cycle of most building products is referred to as ‘cradle to grave’, the recyclability of aluminium ensures it is more ‘cradle to cradle’ as aluminium building products head back to the recycling centre once they reach the end of their long useful life.
Approximately 75% of all the aluminium ever produced is still being used in some form, having been through countless loops of its life cycle. Aluminium can be recycled an unlimited number of times with negligible loss of properties so that recycled aluminium is as strong and durable as virgin metal.
While aluminium has a high embedded energy, the recycling process only requires 5% of the energy used for primary production. Additionally, with the industry sourcing more of its electrical energy from renewable sources such as hydropower, there has been a 17% dip in carbon dioxide emissions since 2000.
Despite an increase in the production of aluminium, significant reductions in total greenhouse gas emissions have been recorded in the last two decades. The industry is aiming to reduce emissions by a further 50% by 2020.
The high value of aluminium scrap is giving demolishers an added incentive to recycle the material. It is estimated that there are about 400 million tonnes of aluminium worldwide currently in use, which can be recycled for use by future generations.
Additionally, bauxite mining is considered land area footprint neutral, as the annual rehabilitation area of existing bauxite mining areas is equal to the average annual area being opened up.
In addition to advantages such as recyclability, reduced energy use and lower carbon emissions, aluminium is also a highly versatile material that can be decorated in a number of finishes.
The DecoWood timber look aluminium for instance, prevents the need to use timber in building applications.
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