For businesses around the globe, sustainability is a huge – and growing – priority.
Some 80% of leading companies now report on sustainability, 87% in the UK, emphasising just how important this issue has become over recent years.
In 2022, it’s anticipated this focus will only become more intense. As customers demand accountability and transparency on factors such as environmental risk and carbon footprints.
Whilst this heightened awareness and recognition of the impact manufacturing has on the natural world can only be positive for the environment, it does increase the pressure. Not only do business owners have a responsibility to source the most cost-effective and efficient methods and materials, but the most environmentally conscious too.
Luckily when it comes to die casting, aluminium makes this easy.
Here the die casting experts at Lupton and Place, take a closer look at the benefits of aluminium. Highlighting how it could help your business to meet environmental goals in 2022.
What is aluminium?
Aluminium is one of the Earth’s most abundant elements.
This common metal is used across all manner of industries thanks to its favourable qualities, which include corrosion resistance, electrical and thermal conductivity and many more. For a more detailed look at the characteristics of aluminium, be sure to read our blog, ‘Up close with aluminium’.
How can using aluminium help the environment?
· It’s easy to recycle
First and foremost, aluminium is one of – if not the – easiest metals to recycle.
It can be recycled into the same product e.g. a gearbox back into a gearbox, or to create something entirely different – from a car part into a window frame.
This capacity for reuse means that die cast parts made from aluminium not only increase the recyclability of your end product but that any scrap produced during the process, is guaranteed not to go to waste.
· It reduces energy use
Recycled aluminium uses 95% less energy than producing aluminium from raw materials – that’s a huge difference and one that can’t be ignored.
Also shouting for attention is the fact it reduces the greenhouse gas emissions, produced in the primary production process, by 97%.
Recycling 1 tonne of aluminium can save 9 tonnes of CO2 emissions, and with 1 tonne of CO2 being equivalent to driving over 3,500 miles, these are numbers to take note of.
· Simple shipping
One of the most desirable characteristics of aluminium is its low density – it’s one of the lightest metals in the world.
Not only does this make it an excellent choice for many industries – such as automotive and construction – it also makes transporting parts easier.
Thanks to reduced load weight, energy consumption is kept to a minimum. The reduced weight also allows more products to be hauled in one go, reducing the number of deliveries required and helping to keep transport emissions low.
· It’s efficient
The process of recycling aluminium is fast and efficient. Take an aluminium drink can for example – these are typically recycled, made into new cans, filled and back on shop shelves in just 6 weeks.
The speed and capacity for aluminium recycling ensures there are no concerns over supply.
· It’s durable
Combined with magnesium, silicon or lithium, aluminium can be engineered to rival the strength of steel – but without the weight.
This durability helps to extend the lifespan of aluminium. Meaning less waste and less expenditure on replacements.
Want to discuss the benefits of aluminium die casting in more detail?
At Lupton and Place, we are vastly experienced die casters leading the way in aluminium die casting for many years.
If you’d like to find out more about the benefits of aluminium die casting, and how it could help your business, why not get in touch with the team? You can call us on 01282 422 361 or fill in our contact form and we’ll be in touch.