Aluminium Making Big Gains in Europe

A new study shows the amount of used in new European cars has risen from 50kg in 1990 to 132kg in 2005 and is predicted to grow by another 25kg by 2010.
In 2005 two million tonnes of aluminium components were put on European roads in new passenger cars.
The achieved weight savings will lead to an annual fuel saving of 1 billion litres and will save roughly 40 million tonnes of CO2 emissions over the lifespan of the vehicles.
The study by Knibb, Gormezano & Partners (KGP) in cooperation with the European Aluminium Association (EAA) includes data from automotive companies and suppliers, EAA member companies and past data from KGP.
The study is based on the analysis of the 15 million cars produced in Europe in 2005 and investigates 20 body components, 17 chassis and suspension components and 25 powertrain components.
The study focuses on different aluminium semi-materials – castings, extrusions, forgings and sheets.
In the car body the largest quantity of components made from aluminium are air conditioning systems, hoods, bumper beams and steering columns.
Roland Harings, Chairman of the EAA Automotive Board said “Europe is leading the way in innovative use of aluminium in cars. As 100 kg of aluminium on a car can reduce CO2 emissions per kilometre by 9 grams, and even 10 grams if fuel production is considered, aluminium as material for lightweighting cars has a clear advantage. With the continual introduction of new technologies delivering further advantages in the design and manufacturing processes the trend to increase the amount of aluminium per car will continue. Aluminium will certainly play an important role in future generations of sustainable cars”.
The European Aluminium Association, founded in 1981, represents the European aluminium industry from alumina and primary production to semi-finished and end-use products, through to recycling.
The European aluminium industry directly employs about 236,000 people.