Ford recycles up to 20M lbs of aluminum per month in closed-loop system; equivalent to 30K F-150 bodies
23 April 2016
Ford recycles as much as 20 million pounds (10,000 short tons, 9 million kg) of aluminum stamping scrap per month using the closed-loop system at Dearborn Truck Plant, which builds F-150. That amount is the equivalent of more than 30,000 F-150 bodies in the largest configuration—a SuperCrew body including doors, plus hood, tailgate and 6.5-foot cargo box.
Weight savings from aluminum alloy helps F-150 reduce its lifetime emissions compared to the previous steel-body version. Between 30% and 40% of a typical aluminum coil is turned into scrap in the stamping process. This is recycled into new metal for the truck using the closed-loop system.
Recycled aluminum avoids 95% of the greenhouse gas emissions associated with primary aluminum production. It uses significantly less energy and water—another reason Ford F-150 leads the full-size truck pack in terms of lifetime carbon footprint, according to Automotive Science Group.
When equipped with the available 2.7-liter EcoBoost with standard Auto Start-Stop technology, F-150 4x2 has best-in-class EPA-estimated gasoline fuel economy ratings of 19 mpg city, 26 mpg highway and 22 mpg combined (actual mileage will vary).
Aluminum and most aluminum alloys can be recycled making them ideal for cars and trucks together with carbon fiber parts/components.
Ultralight steel is another solution.
Combining all three (3) materials seems to be the way most manufacturers are going?
Posted by: HarveyD | 23 April 2016 at 12:26 PM