We could define it as the young, virtuous and eco-sustainable metal, present almost everywhere, but little talked about. AND' the aluminum that with its 163 years (it was presented at the Paris fair in 1855) seems projected towards a future full of prospects. This will be discussed on November 12 in Rome in a international conference promoted by Centro Al (Italian Aluminum Centre) chaired by Mauro Cibaldi, as part of the "Aluminium for Future Generations" program which for twenty years has symbolized the forward projection and the social and environmental vocation of the industry in the sector which periodically meets representatives of politics and institutions to provide information and illustrate the scenarios.
The qualities of aluminum are known: ductility, lightness, high electrical and thermal conductivity and malleability. But the main virtue today seems to be connected to its recyclability.
Aluminum, present in 8% of the earth's crust, is not consumed but can be reused "circularly" many times. From waste and scrap using only 5% of the energy that would be required to produce the metal from the raw material. With a saving of 95%, therefore, the economic convenience of recycling becomes really important Of the 65 million tons of aluminum produced every year in the world, as many as 8 come from recycling in Europe alone.
Italy with 1,5 tons ranks third in the world (on a par with Germany) for recycling activities, after the United States and Japan. Developing a culture and practice of recycling aluminum is a profitable activity for the national economy and for environmental protection.
The other quality that makes aluminum the metal of the future (in addition to its modularity in various alloys) is the lightness. Compared to steel, with the same mechanical performance, it results in a 40% reduction in weight, if used right from the design stage. This quality makes it particularly useful in the transport sector.
Since 1917, when the first aluminum aircraft fuselage was produced, the use of the metal has considerably expanded with beneficial effects on energy saving and safety. Aluminum alloys improve aerodynamics and offer greater ability to absorb energy in the event of a crash. Not only. Thanks to its extreme lightness and sturdiness, aluminum makes it possible to make less heavy cars and reduced fuel consumption: every 100 kg of weight reduction (compared to the use of steel, cast iron and copper) allows a car to save 1500 liters of fuel during the life cycle of the vehicle.
Even more important results can be obtained fromuse of aluminum for trucks and trailers: in the case of Class 8 trucks and towed vehicles, the use of aluminum to replace traditional materials is able to subtract almost 1500 kilos of weight from the vehicle, reducing consumption and also the danger in the event of an accident.
Other areas where it is widely used are shipbuilding, aeronautics, construction in general and bio-architecture that exploits the high environmental compatibility of metal for the design of eco-sustainable environments. Aluminum was first used in architecture in 1931 for the Empire State Building's entrance structure. But even earlier, in 1898, in the church of San Gioacchino in Rome, aluminum had made its appearance for the cladding of the dome, which still appears in excellent condition today.
of particular importance aluminum in the packaging sector above all food: in the packaging and food and beverage sectors, aluminum is essential due to the possibility of transforming it into thin sheets, for its ductility and for its total opacity to ultraviolet rays which can rapidly deteriorate food substances. It is completely airtight and, coupled with other materials, it is ideal for vacuum packaging, it is impermeable to fluids, gases, dust and bacteria. It retains the good flavors and does not let contaminants in, imparting no flavors whatsoever to the contents. Semi-rigid containers are used every day by people for food ready to be put in the oven and for countless take-away meals. The ever-increasing diffusion of totally recyclable cans is certainly one of the most significant contributions to the reduction of environmental pollution.
In the next future the use of aluminum is expected to grow sharply in China, Russia, India and Brazil and this offers great opportunities to Italian industries that have the necessary know-how for the most advanced technological valorisation. But the risks of Trump's protectionist policy loom over this development.
