Over these years, we have witnessed a great change in global consciousness with the World economy swiftly moving towards a cleaner, greener and more sustainable lifestyle.
More and more people are now looking for several ways to reduce their carbon footprint. As a result, businesses worldwide are now listening to consumers and are joining the green movement.
One way companies are transforming their approach is by applying more raw materials in their products that have a lesser environmental impact. For instance, Aluminum, known as a green metal, has become a well-known choice because of its high performance and huge potential in environmentally friendly features.
Reasons Why Aluminum is Green Metal
When we think about sustainable materials, we don’t think about metal, right? Surprisingly, if we dig deeper, we’ll realize that many metals are natural and recyclable, making them pretty green. Here are the benefits of using Aluminum metal.
● Durable
Aluminum can be turned into one of the most durable metals with the help of some modifications. Compounds like Aluminum alloys can be applied for many things, particularly in processes that need durability and strength.
For example, high-strength Aluminum is usually used for the production of vehicles, planes, and even tall skyscraper buildings. Once elements like magnesium, silicon, and lithium are added to the pure Aluminum, its strength can be reinforced to make the metal even stronger.
● Versatile
This material is a highly malleable one, which comes second after very soft gold. Due to this feature, Aluminum can be hammered into any shape and even rolled into thin sheets without breaking.
This only means that this metal is ideal for the production of many products and designs from jewelry to buildings and window frames, and even consumer packaging. In fact, nowadays, people find practicality in using minimalist wallets made out of Aluminum, products that were once created with leather and fabrics.
● Lightweight
It is no secret that Aluminum is a very light metal. As a matter of fact, the density of this element ranges from 2.6 to 2.8 grams per cm3, which is roughly three times less dense than steel metal. This means it can be easily transported and shaped, so less burden for transport pollution.
● Recyclable
This is perhaps the biggest benefit you can get from Aluminum, the ability to be 100% recycled. No more, no less.
Apparently, according to research that recycling post-consumer Aluminum can save more than 90 million tons of CO2 and over 100,000 GWh of electricity. This potential savings is equal to the annual power consumption of different countries like the Netherlands.
In terms of Aluminum, it’s not consumed during its metal lifetime, but just used and it can be recycled over and over again.
Aluminum in the Automotive Industry
In the transportation industry, “Aluminum-based steel” is an ongoing trend of economic development. Whether it is a rail vehicle or a car, the promotion of an Aluminum body can make the vehicle lightweight, which helps the transportation industry achieve a win-win situation of emission reduction, energy saving, and economic benefits.
According to statistics, the volume of car ownership in the country reached 240 million, of which the number of trucks held was 25.7 million. Even if the proportion of car ownership was only one-tenth, its fuel consumption accounted for the total consumption of automobile fuel more than 25% of the amount. Thus, reducing the trucks’ weight is an unavoidable option for energy conservation and emission reduction in the Transportation Sector.
Aluminum Replacing Wood in Industrializing Buildings
According to statistics, China’s total output value of the national construction industry was 23.5 trillion yuan two years ago, and the construction zone of the construction industry in the country was simply 14.09 billion square meters.
Nonetheless, the massive utilization of various resources by the Construction Sector has led to increasingly serious environmental pollution. Just imagine, the traditional wooden formwork leads to excessive deforestation since wood is used for construction, leading to serious damage to the ecological environment. Besides, the quality and safety of the building are not guaranteed over the time.
Hence, the move to replace the wood with Aluminum is to encourage the production and use of light Aluminum alloy formwork is a smart and sustainable way to save energy and reduce emissions in the construction sector.
