“ Here at Aluprof , we source one third of our aluminium extrusions from our group
company , Grupa Kety , where we offer a lowcarbon aluminium product and are working to further reduce carbon emissions .
ALUPROF
Referring back to the total recycled content of all aluminium supplied to meet the demand of 31-33 % since 2000 , we simply cannot get enough scrap to meet the demand . At a required total 85 % recycled content ( post and pre-consumer scrap ) for this lowcarbon aluminium , finding the recycled content is difficult . There are also other issues to consider when specifying low-carbon aluminium , such as it cannot be used when an anodised finish is required .
Why do we have a shortage of scrap ? As demand continues to grow for aluminium and products using aluminium last longer , there is simply not enough to meet demand . It could be stated that specifying a low-carbon aluminium for a project only takes recycled content away from another project , so on a global scale , there is no benefit . What is key here is that technology is moving rapidly to increase the use of renewable energy in the production of aluminium and to reduce or capture CO2 during manufacture . We also must remember that we are not going to run out of the raw material to produce aluminium , as the raw material bauxite is the most abundant metal in the earth ’ s crust .
Here at Aluprof , we source one third of our aluminium extrusions from our group company , Grupa Kety , where we offer a lowcarbon aluminium product and are working to further reduce carbon emissions . Two thirds of our aluminium extrusions supplied by Aluprof comes from other market sources . We can therefore offer specifiers any low-carbon product specifiers wish to use for their project , but this comes with the caveat of both possible cost implications and likely extended lead times for extrusions . Given the project requirements , should a requested low-carbon specification be achievable , then Aluprof can offer EPD ( Environmental Product Declarations ) to substantiate the source of the aluminium that Aluprof ’ s profiles will be supplied from .
Extended lead times for products could impact the site programme , which in turn could incur additional carbon costs . On the other hand , some BREEAM credits could be available on a project by choosing low-carbon products , including aluminium . These issues highlight that every project is different and must be looked at in isolation . The key here is the need to get product suppliers involved at the early design stages to explore what is possible . Aluprof have an experienced design team on hand who can explore these options and help choosing the right aluminium source and systems to suit any project .
Since setting up the Aluprof Office at the Business Design Centre in London , the company has rapidly grown their specification influence in the UK with their high-performance architectural aluminium systems . Further expansion of the company ’ s headquarters in Altrincham now provides specifiers with meeting facilities and an extensive showroom of commercial systems to view . With overseas growth across Europe spreading into the Middle East and firm roots already in the East of the USA , the company has become a global player in facade supply . Further information is available on the company ’ s website at aluprof . co . uk or direct from their UK head office in Altrincham on 0161 941 4005 .
www . aluprof . eu / en
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