Constellium Spearheads “Close the Loop” Initiative to Enhance Aluminium Recycling in the Automotive Sector
Constellium SE has embarked on a pioneering R&D project titled "Close the Loop," aimed at advancing the recycling of automotive aluminium. This initiative, forged in collaboration with leading French recycling firms INDRA, GALLOO, and MTB RECYCLING, seeks to refine the process of dismantling, sorting, and remelting wrought aluminium from end-of-life vehicles for reuse in new vehicle production.
Supported by funding from the French Environmental Agency ADEME under the France 2030 program, "Close the Loop" addresses the critical need for efficient recycling methodologies as the automotive industry increasingly adopts lightweight aluminium. This shift, driven by the metal's advantageous properties and the industry's commitment to reducing emissions, underscores the importance of a circular economy where aluminium's value is perpetuated through continuous reuse.
The project will explore various recycling techniques, including comprehensive vehicle shredding and the targeted dismantling of aluminium-rich components. Aimed at reducing the environmental footprint of aluminium production, these processes significantly lower energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions compared to the production of primary metal.
Constellium's C-TEC research and development center is at the forefront of these efforts, tasked with developing new aluminium Auto Body Sheet alloys that are more tolerant of impurities. Additionally, C-TEC is exploring innovative approaches to decarbonize melting operations, further contributing to the sustainability of aluminium use in the automotive sector.
Ludovic Piquier, Senior Vice President, Manufacturing Excellence and Chief Technical Officer at Constellium, expressed the company's enthusiasm for leading the "Close the Loop" project. Piquier highlighted the initiative's potential to reinforce aluminium's role in the automotive industry, particularly as manufacturers and consumers increasingly prioritize sustainable mobility solutions.
Constellium, a global leader in rolled and extruded aluminium solutions, continues to drive innovation within the automotive market. By fostering collaboration across the value chain, the company aims to accelerate the transition to low-carbon mobility and champion the principles of a circular economy.
With a revenue of EUR7.2 billion in 2023, Constellium is committed to developing value-added aluminium products for diverse markets and applications, including aerospace, automotive, and packaging, setting a benchmark for sustainability and innovation in the sector.
