2. September 2025
Circular Economy: Opportunities for the Aluminium Industry
In the second part of our blog post on the circular economy, we highlight how innovative technologies are already being applied today – and the opportunities they bring.
Our innovation expert Dr. Mario Kuss builds on the first part of the blog post addressing the challenges of circular economy in the aluminium industry. He highlights which innovative solutions are already being applied today, what economic potential they offer, and which regulatory developments are supporting this transformation.
Solutions and Further Development
Many of these challenges already have solutions. For example, technologies have been developed to sort and recycle aluminium scrap more efficiently. Modern sorting systems use advanced sensors and algorithms to identify and separate different aluminium alloys. This improves the quality of the recycled material and increases the efficiency of the recycling process.
One example is the development of melting furnaces specifically optimized for recycling shredded aluminium. These furnaces enable efficient recycling of even complex scrap forms and maximize the yield of reusable aluminium. Modern stirring techniques, in which the melt is swirled and then granulate or shredded scrap is stirred in, further contribute to increasing the efficiency of the melting process.
We continuously monitor technological progress – both to expand the range of scrap types and to identify potential improvements in sustainability. The best ideas are tested in pilot trials at Neuman Aluminium and, if successful, implemented in the next step.
Economic Opportunities
The circular economy offers not only ecological but also significant economic advantages. By recycling aluminium, companies can reduce their raw material costs and their dependence on volatile commodity markets. In addition, new business areas and jobs are created in the fields of recycling and the development of innovative technologies.
Another economic benefit arises from the growing demand for sustainable products. Consumers and companies increasingly value environmentally friendly materials and production processes. Aluminium recycled within the framework of the circular economy can therefore be marketed as a sustainable alternative and offer competitive advantages.
We maintain a close collaboration with our sister company Tubex and continuously evolve in this area.
Regulatory Developments
Politics plays a crucial role in promoting the circular economy. In many countries, legal frameworks have already been established to support and encourage aluminium recycling. These include recycling quotas, tax incentives, and funding programs for companies investing in sustainable technologies.
One example is the European Union, which has set ambitious goals for the circular economy as part of the “Green Deal.” By 2030, all packaging in the EU should be reusable or recyclable. Such regulatory developments create incentives for companies to invest in the circular economy and implement sustainable practices.
Outlook
The circular economy has the potential to fundamentally transform the aluminium industry and make a significant contribution to environmental protection. Through continuous research and development of new technologies, the efficiency of aluminium recycling is being further improved. Companies are investing in innovative approaches to meet the challenges of the circular economy and promote sustainability. The entire process chain – from melting to the finished product – must be considered to address the challenges posed by contaminated recycled scrap.
In the future, the importance of the circular economy will continue to grow. Given limited resources and increasing environmental issues, it is essential to find and implement sustainable solutions. The aluminium industry has already taken important steps in this direction and will continue to play a pioneering role in promoting the circular economy.