Benefits of Recycled Aluminum

Aluminum is a ductile, non-magnetic metal and one of the most versatile and abundant materials on Earth. By mass, it is the third most widespread element after oxygen and silicon and is recognized for its low density, high strength-to-weight ratio, and corrosion-resistant properties. In addition, aluminum is fully recyclable, offering both performance and sustainability advantages in engineering applications.

Aluminum recycling involves re-melting scrap material to separate and recover usable aluminum. Remarkably, approximately 75% of all aluminum ever produced—nearly one billion tons—remains in use today.

When selecting materials to meet project requirements, part performance is a critical consideration. Material properties play a significant role in determining the success or failure of a component. Aluminum can be recycled repeatedly without any loss of its mechanical or physical characteristics, allowing it to perform in the same applications at the same level as primary aluminum extracted from bauxite ore. At the same time, it contributes to environmental sustainability and helps reduce overall cost.

Maintain Same Performance and Physical Properties With Recycled Aluminum

In many applications, the term recycled suggests a reduction in strength or performance. While some materials exhibit diminished mechanical properties after being reused, aluminum—like steel—retains its full strength, durability, and corrosion resistance throughout repeated recycling cycles. This ensures that recycled aluminum performs to the same standard as primary aluminum.

Aluminum is infinitely recyclable and retains its properties without degradation. While certain industries such as aerospace require the precise characteristics of virgin aluminum, most applications can achieve the same level of performance, lightweight durability, strength, and corrosion resistance using recycled secondary aluminum. For components that demand high strength and durability at elevated temperatures, excellent thermal conductivity, and dimensional stability with thin walls, recycled aluminum provides a proven and reliable solution.

Saving Cost by Using Recycled Aluminum

Extracting aluminum from ore is an energy-intensive and costly process. Raw bauxite is refined into pure aluminum through electrolysis, a method that consumes significant raw material and energy for relatively low yield. On average, producing one kilogram of aluminum requires approximately four kilograms of bauxite and between 190 and 230 megajoules of energy. Recycling aluminum requires only about 5 percent of the energy needed to produce primary aluminum. In manufacturing, the high cost of raw material production is typically passed on to the customer. However, even when factoring in the costs of collection, separation, and recycling, using recycled aluminum can reduce raw material and energy expenses by up to 95 percent, significantly lowering the overall cost of components.

Lessen Environmental Impact With Recycled Aluminum

The environmental benefits of recycled aluminum are substantial, including reductions in energy consumption, mining impacts, transportation-related emissions, and carbon dioxide output. In aluminum die casting, the majority of energy usage occurs during the heating and remelting of metal. By performing remelting in-house, Dynacast is able to conserve energy, lower costs, and improve overall process efficiency.

Major aluminum recyclers are increasingly adopting renewable and low carbon energy sources such as geothermal, nuclear, solar, and hydroelectric power for melting aluminum scrap.

Corporate Social Responsibility

In recent years, global expectations have increased for companies to operate responsibly and reduce their environmental impact. As a result, many manufacturers are implementing initiatives that support sustainability while also benefiting their local communities. One effective approach is the use of recycled aluminum alloys, which combine performance with significant environmental advantages.

Industry-leading companies are increasingly utilizing recycled aluminum to meet ambitious sustainability objectives while maintaining the lightweight performance that has become standard for their end products.

Dynacast recycles all industrial scrap metal generated as a by-product of its operations, including aluminum, for use in future projects. This closed-loop process prevents waste from reaching landfills and lowers raw material costs for customers. By integrating recycled aluminum into production, Dynacast delivers solutions that support both environmental sustainability and customer value.

Take Advantage of the Benefits of Recycled Aluminum

Beyond the inherent high performance of the material, manufacturing components with recycled aluminum delivers measurable benefits including energy efficiency, cost reduction, and strengthened corporate social responsibility initiatives.