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global aluminium industry has achieved this figure through the use of renewable energy sources such hydro power and other renewable technologies . Further reductions will soon be possible as the industry begins to adopt emerging green hydrogen technology during the production cycle .
The production of aluminium with a high level of recycled content now means producers are guaranteeing ‘ products ’ with a CO2e / t footprint below 2.0 CO2e / t , but more has to be done . According to a statement made by the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative ( ASI ) in February 2022 , “ Under a 1.5 degree scenario , the aluminium sector must reduce its GHG emissions from over a billion tonnes of CO2e to around fifty million tonnes by 2050 . This is less than one-twentieth of current emissions .” The IAI has also outlined their ‘ Aluminium Sector Greenhouse Gas Pathways to 2050 ’ the report sets out three credible and realistic approaches to emissions reductions for the aluminium industry , this is inline with the International Energy Agency ’ s ‘ Beyond 2 Degree Scenario ’, these are :
Electricity decarbonisation , as already mentioned , more than 60 % of the aluminium sector ’ s emissions is from the
production of electricity consumed during the smelting process . Decarbonised this power generation with the adoption of Carbon Capture Utilisation and Storage ( CCUS ) offer the most significant opportunity to reduce emissions to near zero by 2050 .
Direct Emissions , these are emissions from fuel combustion that make up a further 15 % of industry emissions . Again , electrification and switching to green hydrogen and CCUS offers the most credible pathways . Process emissions make up a further 15 % with new pending technologies , these emissions and those in transport and raw materials can be reduced by 50-60 % from a Business As Usual ( BAU ) baseline scenario by 2050 .
Recycling and Resource Efficiency , by increasing collection rates to near 100 % as well as other resource efficiency progress by 2050 would reduce the need for primary aluminium by 20 % compared to BAU , saving a further 300 million tonnes of CO2e per year .
Interestingly , the three above pathways are not unique , in fact , these principles are being adopted across most industries in order to reduce the production of carbon . All scrap materials from the process , including zinc die castings and stainless
steel items are sent for recycling . Residue from resin thermal breaks in older windows is sent away for incineration . In more modern windows , expensive engineering plastics such as polyamide , also known as ‘ PA6 ’ or ‘ Nylon 6 ’, is used to form high strength thermal insulation within the aluminium profile . The recycling process also collects this material in the form of chip material . These chips can be used as a filler in other areas of construction or infrastructure projects , or sent for incineration , a process which is known as ‘ energy recovery ’ or ‘ thermal recycling ’. As more polyamide thermal breaks are now entering the recycling arena , work is now underway to recycle this material back into product or back into its constituent parts by the manufacturers .
With more recycling companies dismantling fenestration systems and separating them into various materials for recycling , the specification of aluminium in various construction projects , commercial and residential will continue to grow . A specification of aluminium today , offers a good residual value in the future when the facade is to be replaced . Our cities now become material resources or ‘ urban mines ’ where we are able to recycle much of the material that already exists .
It is important to recognise that an Association belongs to its Members and the more influence that Members can bring into the Association , the further it will grow . The CAB Board of Directors is committed to grow the Association and continue to increase value for membership . Should you wish to learn more about the use of Aluminium used in Construction , please contact CAB , join the Association and be recognised as being involved in supporting your Industry and helping to shape its future .
More information on our website at www . c-a-b . org . uk
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