The Aluminium Loop

Important results from the project

Analysis of the use of aluminium in the Swedish society with focus on losses from the different material flows has been the aim of the first part of the project. The ultimate aim after a second subproject will be to minimize these losses and increase the recycling and minimize waste. An aim is also to obtain an efficient cooperation between companies in the aluminium sector and connect the industry to research institutions with experience from the steel industry.

Expected long term effects

Material losses in the Swedish aluminium industry have been quantified and analysed, and the largest losses come from the packaging area. Here more than 6000 ton per year is lost during incineration of garbage, but international comparison indicate possibilities to improve both sorting before and handling of ashes after the incineration. A nearly as large lost comes from the recycling of old scrap as here salt is added, which creates salt slag which today becomes landfill. New processes are being developed to recycle salt and to improve aluminium yield.

Approach and implementation

The material flows and losses in the participating companies have been quantified, and literature has been studied. Analysis has been done as international comparisons from literature and together with the partners. Project ideas from companies, institutions and literature have been discussed, analysed and in some cases formulated to new project proposals. The results have been summarized in a report where new project proposals for the next subproject have been presented.