Aluminum Supplier Constellium Advances Science of Recycling
Constellium's Airware technology allows for the recycling of aluminum-lithium.
Constellium has found ways to produce lighter alloys and, just as important, to recycle them. (Photo: Constellium)
Constellium has found ways to produce lighter alloys and, just as important, to recycle them. (Photo: Constellium)

Aluminum product developer Constellium wants to increase the percentage of recycled metal it produces for aerospace in a bid to realize both economic and environmental goals. The value of such alloys has grown with the addition of elements such as copper, silver and—critically—lithium. One kilogram (2.2 pounds) of aluminum costs about $2, while one kilogram of lithium—the lightest metal in nature—costs $100. Despite the small amount of lithium present in an aluminum-lithium alloy (about 2 percent), alloy prices rise easily—hence, the need to avoid scrapping turnings, for example.

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