Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

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New Process Converts Scrap Aluminum Into EV Parts

πŸ“… Date:

πŸ”– Topics: Sustainability, Circular Economy

🏭 Vertical: Fabricated Metal

🏒 Organizations: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Magna International


Engineers at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) here have developed a new manufacturing process that can convert recycled aluminum into parts for electric vehicles. They worked with Magna International Inc. on the foou-year R&D project that dramatically reduces the need to mine and refine raw aluminum ore.

The Shear Assisted Processing and Extrusion (ShAPE) process collects scrap bits and leftover aluminum trimmings from automotive manufacturing and transforms it directly into suitable material for new vehicle parts. It is now being scaled to make lightweight aluminum parts for EVs.

β€œThis innovation is only the first step toward creating a circular economy for recycled aluminum in manufacturing,” claims Whalen. β€œWe are now working on including post-consumer waste streams, which could create a whole new market for secondary aluminum scrap.”

Read more at Assembly Magazine