“The appropriate application of aluminium in the car body enables a weight reduction of 40% compared to a lightweight steel car body with the same technical performance”
Heinrich Timm,
Director Audi Lightweight Design Centre
“The strength of aluminium means that it is suitable for crash absorbing elements”
Jun Kashima,
Senior Engineer, THE KINKI SHARYO CO., LTD
“The use of aluminium profiles reduces the total number of parts and joins.”
Jun Kashima,
Senior Engineer, THE KINKI SHARYO CO., LTD
Recyclable and Value Retentive“Aluminium scrap can be recycled with significantly lower energy consumption than smelting primary aluminium.”
Katsuyuki Tsukahara,
Manager, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd.
“With a suitable design, aluminium saves energy during operation and reduces maintenance costs.”
Hiromichi Ishiduka,
Principal Researcher, Railway Technical Research Institute
Stylish“Aluminium allows Bombardier to manufacture low weight vehicles and thus reduce environmental impact, with a high quality exterior finish”
Guillaume Rétaux,
Head of Strategic Sourcing , Bombardier Transportation
"The amazing thing about this original East aluminium trailer is that, 40 years after coming off the production line, it is still operating. The original welds are still in place. The frame and floor are in very good shape”
Mark Holtz,
Vice President of Sales and Marketing, East Manufacturing
"Aluminium in transport is meeting the demands of modern soceiety for energy saving, reduction of environmental impact and recycling." Katsuyuki Tsukahara, Manager, Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd.
Benefits of aluminium in transport are ...
Recycling
Today, approximately 75% of all the aluminium ever produced is still in productive use, having been through countless loops of its lifecycle. This has been confirmed by the global “Material Flow Analysis” reviewed by Yale University in the USA, published annually by the aluminium industry.
Global Improvements
The aluminium industry has taken a leadership role by establishing a uniform global monitoring approach to energy and greenhouse gas emission reduction goals:
- Following an 86% reduction in its perfluorocarbon (PFC) emissions per tonne of primary aluminium produced between 1990 and 2006, a 50% reduction in PFC emissions by 2020 compared to 2006.
- Following an 8% reduction in global smelter electrical energy usage per tonne of aluminium produced between 1990 and 2006, a further 5% reduction by 2020 compared to 2006.
- A 10% reduction in refinery energy usage by the industry as a whole by 2020 versus 2006.
Responsible Mining
“Recent information is now showing that the average annual rehabilitation area of existing bauxite mining areas is equal to the average annual area being opened up. In this steady state environment, bauxite mining is “land area footprint neutral” and sustainable.”
Dave Olney and Steve Healy, IAI Bauxite and Alumina Committee Chairmen
Transport Light-Weighting Model
The model quantifies the primary energy and greenhouse gas savings realised from the light-weighting of specific vehicle components with aluminium based on life cycle assessment methodology. It covers the whole life cycle of a vehicle including production, use and end-of-life (collection, recovery and recycling).
Use Stage Calculator
The calculator deals with energy and greenhouse gas savings during the operational life of weight reduced transport vehicles. It is based on the methodology described by the Institute for Energy and Environmental Research. Light-Weighting Studies
This website was created by the International Aluminium Institute in cooperation with national and regional aluminium associations around the world. The IAI members are collectively responsible for up to 80% of global primary aluminium production and around 20% of recycled metal production.
For further information on regional and national transport activities go to contact.