Aluminium is a metallic material, whose properties and characteristics are not affected even when it has been used in a product. Aluminium can thus be recycled and re-used as often as necessary without any loss in quality. The high value of the metal is maintained and offers a sufficient economic incentive for the metal to actually be collected, treated, melted and used again in a similar or comparable way at the end of the product’s service life.
 
Aluminium that arises during processing stages or at the end of a product’s service life becomes a secondary raw material which has markets world-wide. Aluminium in the shape of bales of scrap, turnings, skimmings etc. is collected, treated and melted. Subsequent to a treatment of the melt, the aluminium is cast into ingots or supplied to foundries in liquid form. The alloys obtained are used for the production of cast, extruded and rolled products. The steel industry and the aluminothermic process require special products, like deoxidation aluminium, aluminium granules or powder.
 
The metal trade, processors, refiners and remelters are all involved in the recycling of aluminium.