Sustainable footprints: Recycled aluminium shapes Norway's latest bridge

A groundbreaking network arch bridge featuring a fully aluminium support structure is currently under construction in Trondheim, Norway. The project stands out due to its extensive use of recycled materials, with one-third of the aluminium sourced from the decommissioned Gyda Oil Platform. The bridge will also be supported by stainless steel tension rods.

The footbridge will span 55 meters in length and 9 meters in width and weigh 60 tonnes upon completion. This ambitious project is a collaborative effort between the Norwegian Public Roads Administration and Leirvik, a leading engineering, procurement, and construction supplier specialising in aluminium projects.

Construction of the bridge commenced in May, with the installation slated for June 2025. Once completed, the footbridge will provide a vital link for pedestrians and cyclists, allowing them to safely cross the railway lines at Leangen Station and proceed toward Trondheim's city centre. This initiative underscores Trondheim's commitment to sustainable infrastructure and innovative engineering solutions.

Decommissioned Gyda Oil Platform

Aluminium scrap recycling is a sustainable process that involves collecting, processing, and utilising discarded aluminium materials, making a valuable contribution to environmental preservation and economic sustainability within the recycling industry. Technically, the aluminium scrap recycling process involves gathering various aluminium items, including beverage cans, automotive components, and construction materials. These collected items undergo sorting and cleaning before melting in furnaces, producing aluminium ingots, slabs, etc. These recycled materials find application in diverse sectors, from making new aluminium extrusion profiles and cans to fabricating components for aircraft. Notably, this recycling process significantly diminishes the need to extract raw aluminium, an energy-intensive and environmentally taxing endeavour.

To learn more about aluminium recycling, the emerging market trends and key drivers in the aluminium recycling sector, and advancements and innovations in aluminium recycling techniques, get access to AL Circle's industry-focused report, "World Recycled Aluminium Market Analysis - Industry Forecast to 2030".