The Role of Automobiles for the Future of Aluminum Recycling

• Published in: Environmental science & technology Vol. 46; no. 16; pp. 8587 - 8594
• Main Authors: Modaresi, Roja, Müller, Daniel B
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Washington, DC American Chemical Society 21.08.2012
• Subjects: Aluminum; Applied sciences; Automobiles; electricity; energy conservation; Exact sciences and technology; Likelihood Functions; Mathematical models; Other wastes and particular components of wastes; Pollution; Product quality; Recycling; refining; Scrap; Wastes; Material recovery; Motor car; Industrial metabolism; Aluminium; Motor vehicle; Sustainable development; Waste management; Industrial ecology; Upgrading; Waste reuse; Solid waste; Recycling; Resource management
• ISSN: 0013-936X; 1520-5851; 1520-5851
• DOI: 10.1021/es300648w

To reach required product qualities with lowest costs, aluminum postconsumer scrap is currently recycled using strategies of downgrading and dilution, due to difficulties in refining. These strategies depend on a continuous and fast growth of the bottom reservoir of the aluminum downgrading cascade, which is formed by secondary castings, mainly used in automotive applications. A dynamic material flow model for the global vehicle system was developed to assess the likelihood, timing, and extent of a potential scrap surplus. The results demonstrate that a continuation of the above-mentioned strategies will lead to a nonrecyclable scrap surplus by around 2018 ± 5 if no additional measures are taken. The surplus could grow to reach a level of 0.4–2 kg/cap/yr in 2050, corresponding to a loss of energy saving potential of 43–240 TWh/yr electricity. Various intervention options for avoiding scrap surplus are discussed. Effective strategies need to include an immediate and rapid penetration of dramatically improved scrap sorting technologies for end-of-life vehicles and other aluminum applications.