The Low-Carbon Production of Wrought Aluminum Alloys Based on Post-consumer Scrap

Abstract

The recycling of wrought aluminum alloys from end-of-life products is only carried out to a limited extent. The obstacles are the lack of: (i) an appropriate chemical composition of the recycled melt and (ii) sufficient reliable sources. Both can be eliminated through the consistent traceability of alloys in end-of-life products at all stages of circular aluminum management. This paper describes the process of ensuring the universal traceability of aluminum alloys by type of alloy, by manufacturer, and by location in the end-of-life product. Tracking begins with the disassembly of end-of-life products into their components or components made from wrought aluminum alloys. We have built an innovative concept of ensuring the traceability of Al alloys using barcodes, which can be improved with more advanced versions. The solution enables the consistent separation and extraction of the highest-quality scrap from end-of-life products, comparable to the quality of the return material. This is, as an option, usually returned to the alloy manufacturer, and can be melted directly into wrought alloys. The solution enables significant decarbonization of production and an increase in the added value of the products.