9. Environmental Considerations
Aluminum has a mixed environmental profile: its primary production is among the most energy-intensive in industry, but the metal can be recycled indefinitely using only a small fraction of that energy. This duality, combined with aluminum’s role in low-carbon technologies (lightweighting in transportation, power grids, and renewable energy), places the industry at the heart of decarbonization efforts.
9.1 Energy-Intensive Primary Production
The Hall-Héroult electrolysis process remains the most energy-intensive and highest-emitting stage. Globally, the emissions intensity of primary aluminum stood at 14.8 metric tons of CO 2 equivalent per metric ton in 2023, down from 15.1 metric tons in 2022. The carbon footprint...
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Environmental Considerations
Conclusion
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