Yet the problem is a significant one: in Europe, up to nine million tonnes of aluminium scrap from end-of-life vehicles are generated every year. Without new solutions, there is a risk not only of material surpluses but also of rising CO₂ emissions resulting from the use of newly produced aluminium.
The solution: turning impurities into an advantage
Researchers at the Montanuniversität Leoben have now developed a completely new approach and simply turned the previous problem on its head. Instead of laboriously separating or diluting the different alloys, the new process makes targeted use of precisely this mixture.
The supposedly ‘harmful’ accompanying elements are metallurgically incorporated in such a way that they actually improve the material’s microstructure. The result: high-quality, formable aluminium sheets are produced from mixed car scrap, which are suitable for use in new vehicles. And all this without any additional sorting or the use of primary aluminium.
Particularly noteworthy: the alloys produced in this way achieve mechanical properties that in some cases even exceed those of conventional automotive materials.
A game-changer for the circular economy
The innovation comes at exactly the right time. With the shift towards electric mobility, a major market for previously recycled material is disappearing. At the same time, pressure is growing to use resources more efficiently and reduce emissions.
For the first time, the new process enables a truly closed-loop system for aluminium in the automotive industry. It is also compatible with existing infrastructure and can therefore be implemented directly on an industrial scale, which is a decisive advantage in practical terms.
The research is already attracting international attention: the findings were published in the renowned journal Nature Communications and highlighted as particularly relevant to the industry.
#genius, when a previous recycling problem can be transformed into a genuine resource for the future.
