Constellium announced a major advancement in aluminum recycling for the automotive industry, by implementing Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) technology at an industrial scale. LIBS is a type of atomic emission spectroscopy which uses a highly energetic laser pulse as the excitation source.

This initiative, developed in collaboration with OSR GmbH & Co. KG, a German recycling specialist, and a premium European automotive manufacturer, marks a significant step in reducing carbon emissions in the automotive supply chain by increasing the use of recycled aluminum.

One of the most significant challenges in automotive aluminum recycling is the proper segregation of alloy families, which are critical to maintaining material quality. Traditionally, mixed 5xxx and 6xxx alloys from stamping scrap were downcycled, limiting their use in high-value applications. LIBS sorting technology enables rapid and accurate sorting of aluminum scrap, achieving more than 95% purity for both alloy families.

Constellium has already processed significant volumes of LIBS-sorted scrap at its Neuf-Brisach plant in France, recycling it into high-quality aluminum solutions without compromising material integrity. This success showcases the industrial viability of LIBS sorting and its potential to transform aluminum recycling practices on a global scale.

Constellium and OSR GmbH & Co. KG will continue to work on enhancements to the technology with the longer-term goal of extracting high value aluminum from end-of-life vehicles. This initiative aims to create a truly circular system for automotive aluminum, aligning with the industry’s shift toward a low-carbon economy.

Constellium, a full-service supplier of rolled and extruded aluminum solutions for the global automotive market, supplies aluminum products for 1 in 4 vehicles produced in Europe and the US.

Resources

• Industrial applications of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy: a review; S. Legnaioli et al. Analytical Methods (2020) doi: 10.1039/C9AY02728A (open access)

• Classification of aluminum scrap by laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) and RGB + D image fusion using deep learning approaches, Dillam Díaz-Romero et al. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, (2023) doi: 10.1016/j.resconrec.2023.106865