Recycling of Aluminium and Magnesium Parts from Used Cars: Legislative Frame and Consequences for Metallurgy and Material Design

The final version of the European guideline on used cars has been published. It has a strong influence on the design and production of automobiles The automotive industry is expected to use more recycled material to extend the market for recycling materials.

The most important prescription from the standpoint of automobile producers and motor vehicle importers is certainly the obligation to take back old vehicles without cost. This is a strong reason for an increase in using aluminium and magnesium in vehicles because of the high value of these metals. Another is the reduction of fuel consumption by reduction of weight. Engine, running gear, seat frames etc. have been increasingly made of light weight metals. In future it depends on production technology like construction, processing, coating and joining methods how fast aluminium and magnesium can substitute other materials in the automobile. As a result these mentioned forces lead to an increasing amount of light metal scrap, which has to be recycled.

One of the focal research activities of the Department for Nonferrous Metallurgy is recycling of aluminium and magnesium scrap. Different materials like coated components, alloys with high content of alloying elements and composites are investigated. Further consideration is taken on the reduction of specific energy consumption. Trends in the processing and recycling of light metals with respect to furnace development are also shown.