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Aluminium’s power is in its versatility
Mining and Refining
Primary Production
Aluminium in Consumer Products
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Explore the Cycle
Our Aluminium data repository
From 1888, when aluminium was first produced, to 2021, more than 1.6 billion tonnes of primary aluminium (after cast house, excluding scrap) have been produced globally of which 1.2 billion tonnes (74.5%) is estimated to still be in use today.
In 2019, the primary energy consumption for global primary aluminium production, from mine to cast house, was 186 gigajoules per tonne. In contrast, the primary energy demand for recycled aluminium was 8.3 gigajoules per tonne, resulting in a significant energy saving (95.5%).
In 2022, the carbon footprint of global primary aluminium production (from mine to cast house) was 15.1 tonnes of CO2e per tonne. In contrast, the carbon emissions for producing recycled aluminium (gate-to-gate) were 0.52 tonnes of CO2e per tonne.
In 2019, 71% of aluminium cans were recycled back into new aluminium products globally. This compares to 34% for PET and 40% for glass bottles.
Aluminium, like all metals, is composed of atoms bonded together and formed in a crystal structure. This makes aluminium easy to melt and reform into a solid state without changing its fundamental properties. Therefore, aluminium can be recycled repeatedly and back into use with no limitation.
The IAI, together with the global primary aluminium industry, is committed to fostering a greater understanding of the sector and demonstrating our dedication to responsible production and sustainable development.
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