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How sustainable or recyclable is extruded aluminum?

    Extruded aluminum is one of the most sustainable industrial materials.

    • Recyclability: Aluminum is 100% recyclable without loss of its inherent properties. The recycling process requires only about 5% of the energy needed to produce primary aluminum from bauxite ore.
    • Industry Practice: A significant portion of extrusion billets is made from post-consumer and post-industrial recycled content. The extrusion process itself generates scrap (ends, off-cuts) which is immediately recycled back into the billet casting process.
    • Longevity: Aluminum products, especially when anodized or coated, have very long service lives.
    • Lightweighting: Its use in transportation reduces vehicle weight, leading to fuel savings and lower emissions over the product’s lifecycle. This makes it a key material for a circular economy.