Global recycler European Metal Recycling (EMR) has secured a £3.4mn ($4.3mn) grant from the Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC) to support a new metals processing facility that will produce aluminium extrusion billet using up to 100pc recycled content, it said today.
Led by EMR, the project is also supported by France-based aluminium producer Constellium and automaker Stellantis, as well as surface treatments specialist BCW Treatments, software company Riskoa and Brunel University.
The project, named ReCircAl, will enable the manufacture at the planned facility of components made from up to 100pc recycled aluminium at an industrial scale to match the mechanical and durability performance of primary aluminium alloys. It will combine EMR's experience processing end-of-life aluminium and Constellium's knowledge of alloy development, supported by the other project partners.
Constellium has previously led an APC-funded project to design, develop and test aluminium automotive components at scale to demonstrate that high-strength alloys with high recycled content can meet or exceed OEM key performance criteria.
"This project represents a landmark moment for the aluminium industry and the automotive sector," EMR commercial director Bruce Miller said. "By proving that high-performance automotive components can be produced from recycled materials, we are helping to create a more circular vehicle manufacturing industry in the UK."
