Cut the scrap: Making more use of less metal

Abstract

Action to cut emissions is likely to reduce production of the bulk metals. However, up to 80 % of steel and 90 % of aluminium made today are wasted in three forms of scrap: manufacturing scrap cut off in the supply chain, specification scrap from over-design and property scrap in which materials are under exploited. Innovations in product design and forming technology can reduce this scrap, but only if delivered in high-throughput processes, to overcome trade-offs with the economies of scale. The priority for innovation is to adapt tooling and controls in existing forming processes, not to attempt to replace them.