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2. Aluminium and sustainability 4. Principles of extrusion

3. EcoDesign with aluminium profiles

Sustainability is the main challenge when we talk about modern production. Too many products cannot be recycled, due to second-rate design and poor material choices.

How can you improve in designing and manufacturing in a circular economy?

1. Choose a sustainable material
Aluminium is a circular material because it can be recycled and reused. It does not lose its properties after recycling and the remelting process can save energy consumption significantly. Each tonne of aluminium recycled avoids around 9 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalents. Globally, the recycling of aluminium avoids over 100 million mt of CO2e per year.

2. Know how to join the materials
The joining method you choose makes a difference. Why? Because similar materials do not need to be separated at the end of the product's life. This improves the recycling rate. In mixed-material combinations, the best joining techniques enable simple and practical disassembly and separation prior to recycling. These can be mechanical fasteners including bolts, screws, snap-fit and interlock joints.

3. Produce so you can repair or reuse the product
Can your product be repaired? By whom? Can you use the product or its materials again? Try to design more products for easy reparation and/or easy reuse.

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2. Aluminium and sustainability 4. Principles of extrusion