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Aluminium markets – Variety and efficiency

Today, aluminium is the most used metal after ferrous materials. With a density of 2.7 grams per cubic centimetre (35% compared to that of steel) it is an extremely light metal. Thanks to its unique characteristics and properties such as corrosion resistance, easy formability, high conductivity, optimal barrier functions, excellent design potential and recyclability, aluminium is used for all kinds of applications in modern life.

The main end-use markets for aluminium products in Europe are:

- Transport: 36 %
- Building: 27 %
- Packaging 16 %
- Engineering 14 %
- Others 7 %

The transport sector mainly covers aircraft, cars, rail vehicles and ships but also includes space vehicles and satellites. The building industry uses aluminium for facades, roofing, windows, blades and shutters and other supporting structures. In packaging aluminium is used for flexible, semi-rigid and rigid packaging solutions such as foil, food trays, tubes, aerosol and beverage cans. Moreover it is also used in many composite packaging where aluminium represents an absolute barrier protecting the filling from adverse effects from the outside and keeping valuable ingredients safely inside. In engineering aluminium is used for the construction of machinery, cables, busbars, microchips and other industrial installations. On top of that you see many other aluminium applications in everyday life such as bicycles, Nordic Walking poles, furniture, mobile phones, MP3 players, coffee machines and cookware where the material excels by its unique properties.

Most products have a long utilisation period which in the case of transport, building and engineering can be of several decades. In the case of packaging it can range from a few days to several years.

After their use aluminium products are recycled and enter into a “new life”. Worldwide the so-called “secondary production” accounts for about a third of the total production of primary aluminium and its share is growing. Recycling conserves natural raw materials such as bauxite and makes an important contribution to energy-saving production because the energy needed for remelting is up to 95 % less than that required for the extraction of primary aluminium.

For more detailed information on aluminium markets you can go the the following websites:
www.aluinfo.de
www.european-aluminium.eu

Paint for artists in Aluminium Tubes