Aluminum Usage in the PNGV and Its Impact on the Recycling Infrastructure

The Partnership for a New Generation of Vehicles (PNGV) is scheduled for production in the year 2005. Lightweight materials will play an important role in achieving the PNGV's up-to-80 mpg goal. This study explores the usage of aluminum in a PNGV. An analysis of closed-loop PNGV aluminum recycling in the future is presented. This study also addresses the important issues affected by this increased wrought aluminum volume on current recycling infrastructure. 80% closed-loop recyclability of aluminum scraps for the PNGV can be achieved with improved dismantling and shredder separation technologies as well as the knowledge of alloy selection.