Aluminum is all around us — it’s used in household appliances, parts for different types of vehicles and in drink cans and packaging foil. It’s a widely used material as it is lighter than iron, almost as durable as steel, corrosion-resistant and pliable. Aluminum is also a good heat and electrical conductor and is often used in the sand casting process due to its high strength-to-weight ratio. The U.S. is one of the largest importers of unwrought aluminum and aluminum alloys. Explore where this material comes from, how it’s sourced and where the U.S. gets it from to keep up with demand.
HOW IS ALUMINUM SOURCED?
Even though aluminum is one of the most abundant metal elements in the Earth’s crust, it is not a natural metal. Bauxite ore is the main source of aluminum, which must be extracted by combining it with oxygen or different elements. Bauxite rocks form from red clay material and are commonly found in tropical and subtropical regions. Contrary to other minerals that can be separated by melting, sourcing aluminum is a complicated process that requires a significant amount of energy. The process of how aluminum is extracted typically involves several steps:
- Bauxite mining: Bauxite ore is mined and transported to processing plants.
- Alumina production: The Bayer process is used to extract alumina. It involves crushing the ore, dissolving it in a sodium hydroxide solution, separating impurities and precipitating alumina as a white powder.
- Aluminum extraction: The alumina is sent to smelters where it is heated and transformed into molten aluminum.
- Aluminum casting: The molten aluminum is cast into different shapes, such as ingots or sheets, which can be further processed into various products.
Extracting aluminum requires careful consideration of many factors, such as environmental impact, labor conditions and supply chain transparency. Responsible sourcing practices aim to minimize negative effects on the environment and ensure fair working conditions for the people involved in the process. For example, during the land clearing process prior to mining, the topsoil is stored so it can be replaced during rehabilitation.
WHERE DOES ALUMINUM COME FROM?
Bauxite was named after the French village of Les Baux where geologist Pierre Berthe found the ore in nearby deposits and discovered that it contained aluminum. Today, aluminum is sourced from various places around the world. The global nature of the aluminum industry ensures a diverse supply chain, with some countries specializing in different stages of the production process. Some countries are known for producing bauxite while others have significant alumina refining and aluminum production capacity. Many countries have a strong presence in the aluminum industry in terms of both production and consumption, and they often rely on a combination of domestic production and imports. This interdependence ensures a steady supply of aluminum to meet the growing demand from various industries worldwide.
