Credible Life Cycle Inventory Data for Studies of Automotive Aluminum

This paper provides a detailed summary of the aluminum industry's recent efforts to gather, check, and accurately model environmental emissions and resource consumption inventory data from industrial processes producing automotive aluminum components.

Current as well as historical inventory data on critical variables related to the life cycle of automotive aluminum components are also presented. In particular, accurate and reliable data related to metal flows from both primary aluminum and recycling operations to the automotive industry, together with data regarding electricity supply for aluminum smelting operations are highlighted.

On-going industry efforts and partnerships are described “to help automakers provide consumers with safe, affordable, and environmentally enhanced cars and light trucks.”