ALUMINIUM Extra
value of the scrap is based on how ‘ clean ’ it is , that is to say free from thermal breaks , screws , fittings , gaskets , etc . Modern scrap processes can clean any scrap aluminium into clean scrap by removing these unwanted materials . Whilst pre-consumer scrap can easily be collected and fed back into the aluminium supply chain , post-consumer scrap often lies outside the traditional aluminium fenestration supply chain and is more challenging to ensure it is recycled through the correct channels .
The Council for Aluminium in Building ( CAB ) have been pioneering a ‘ closed-loop ’ recycling initiative which encourages its members to recycle through the initiative to ensure that scrap aluminium remains in the UK and remains in the 6063 extrusion grade alloy . Any member of CAB can join the scheme for free and more information is available on the Association website . Whilst the scheme is currently voluntary , in Germany such schemes have become mandatory , such is the importance of forming closed-loop recycling . The Glass and Glazing Federation ( GGF ) have recently adopted the CAB initiative and are promoting the scheme to their own members .
CAB member Alutrade are an advanced scrap reprocessor who collect scrap from across the UK from the aluminium
fenestration supply chain and from construction refurbishment and deconstruction sites . Together with CAB , the aim is to track more architectural aluminium scrap back into a single grade alloy .
In previous decades companies prided themselves in offering high quality prime aluminium products that contained little scrap , today the tables have turned and companies wish to use as much scrap as possible to promote reduced carbon content . With a higher rate of recycled content , finishing by anodising can be problematic and many systems companies would recommend powder coating as a preferred finish , however , recently this has also come into question .
The Qualicoat Association , the leading global specification for architectural powder coating , has recently completed an extensive study on the structure of recycled aluminium alloy suitable for extensive powder coating life expectancy . Known as ‘ Qualicoat 3.0 ’ the association is beginning to licence aluminium processors and extruders that can demonstrate that their extrusion passes three surface parameters which will then further extend the life expectancy of the applied powder coating .
www . c-a-b . org . uk
CLEARVIEW-UK . COM NOVEMBER 2022
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