New Services For Aluminium

Demand for aluminium products in Europe is particularly high in sectors such as construction, automotive, industrial automation, packaging, aerospace and renewable energy. Companies in these sectors are keen to exploit the advantages of aluminium as a raw material, such as its light weight, durability and recyclability. This efficiency has developed into a very large supplier market over the years. These services are particularly important for European aluminium demand.

1. Production and Processing:

Production steps such as the extrusion of special profiles, casting, rolled products and surface treatment are particularly important. The demand for lightweight and durable aluminium alloys in particular is increasing. Many efficient aluminium alloys have been developed since the last century, depending on requirements and areas of application. Germany and Italy established themselves in the extrusion industry after the 1950s. European countries such as Spain, Turkey and Poland came into play at the end of the 90s. For the last 20 years, the market has been dominated by China and Turkey with their very large capacities, in addition to the traditional manufacturer Germany.

Once the raw materials have been produced, the further processing of the material is of course also important. A very large market has also developed here. There are specialised producers for specific product groups. In particular, companies that are active in mechanical processing and, in addition to machining, also offer special further processing such as welding, bending, moulding, assembly and fabrication, have a very good chance of establishing themselves on the market as good companies with a long service life.

The further processing of aluminium profiles includes a range of specialised services that adapt profiles to individual customer requirements. Here are the main services for aluminium profile processing:

CNC machining: precise cutting, drilling, milling and turning are among the common machining processes that enable a high degree of accuracy and flexibility. This precision is particularly in demand in sectors such as the automotive and aerospace industries.

Surface treatment: This includes anodising, powder coating and painting,which not only improve the aesthetics but also the corrosion resistance and durability of the aluminium.

Welding and assembly: Welding aluminium profiles is a special skill that requires precise and clean work. Many companies also offer assembly services to deliver finished components or modules.

Bending and forming: Aluminium is easy to shape and bend, so it can be processed into different designs and dimensions. This is often used for architectural and furniture applications.

Logistics and packaging: For finished aluminium profiles, many companies offer customised packaging solutions and efficient logistics to ensure quality during transport.

Development and design: Engineering teams offer design and consultancy services to develop customised solutions. This is particularly necessary for customised projects where special profiles are required.

These services are usually offered by companies across Europe that specialise in metal and especially aluminium processing.

2. Recycling:

The recycling of aluminium is a key part of the aluminium industry and has huge environmental and economic benefits. Aluminium can be recycled almost infinitely without losing its material properties. Here are the key aspects of aluminium recycling:

Energy saving: recycling aluminium requires only about 5% of the energy needed to extract primary aluminium from bauxite. This saves immense amounts of energy and significantly reduces CO₂ emissions.

Added value: Aluminium retains its high quality and material value even after recycling. This makes it a particularly sustainable material and an important raw material in the circular economy.

Recycling process: The process begins with the collection and sorting of used aluminium. It is then cleaned, shredded and melted down. Alloy additives can also be added during the melting process in order to achieve certain material properties.

Packaging and automotive industry: In Europe, a large proportion of recycled aluminium is used in packaging, cars and construction applications. Aluminium is particularly suitable for packaging applications, such as drinks cans, and achieves high recycling rates.

Sustainability: The recycling process promotes the circular economy and reduces the need for primary aluminium. In the European Union, aluminium recycling is strongly promoted in order to reduce the environmental impact and conserve raw materials.

Technological developments: Modern technologies are continuously improving the recycling process, for example through optimised sorting processes that increase the recycled content and maximise the purity of the recycled aluminium.

Europe is one of the world's leading regions in aluminium recycling, and many companies are involved in the entire recycling process, from collection and sorting to reprocessing and reusing the aluminium.

3. Storage and Logistics:

Advanced logistics services are needed for the fast and safe delivery of aluminium products. These services are expected to be fast and reliable throughout Europe.

Design and technical support: Especially for specially designed products, companies need technical support to correctly design aluminium profiles and offer solutions tailored to customer needs.

Quality control and certification: It is very important to offer products and services that comply with European standards. 

In particular, products with certifications such as ISO, EN and CE are favoured.