Editor’s Note: Driven by the demand for lightweight materials in the automotive industry, the transport segment remains the largest market segment in the global aluminum market. In 2024, this segment accounted for a market share of some 28% (Figure 1)—a figure that is expected to increase annually over the next decade.1 Not surprisingly, China’s transportation […]
Kevin Widlic
-
-
By Kevin Widlic, Contributing Editor. Hangarbrua, a pedestrian and cycle bridge built with aluminum from a decommissioned offshore oil platform, has been lifted into place in Trondheim, Norway, and will open this fall. The Norwegian Public Roads Administration expects the bridge to be maintenance free for 100 years, and a life cycle analysis shows that […]
-
Aluminum Association statistics show that primary production accounts for only about 15% of the aluminum the U.S. produces on an annual basis. This means domestic recycling represents the lion’s share of aluminum production, with recycling production reaching a record high of 3.6 million tonnes in 2024—numbers that will surely increase moving forward.1 And in employment, […]
-
By Kevin Widlic, Contributing Editor. Hydro is moving closer in its work to reduce fossil energy sources at its aluminum casthouses through the use of plasma technology. Positive laboratory scale trials coupled with simulation data have put the company on track to embark on a pilot project at its Casthouse Reference Center in Sunndal, Norway […]
-
Each year, Light Metal Age (LMA) enjoys looking back at the top ten most viewed news stories that we published on our website, highlighting the trends that have affected the aluminum sector over the previous year. In 2024, these top articles and news stories reveal recent trends and developments, including a focus on aluminum recycling, aluminum […]
-
By Kevin Widlic, Contributing Editor. Pennsylvania’s Schuylkill County is home to the biggest aluminum extrusion plant in North America. The Cressona plant may also be the oldest, having been built more than 80 years ago. Now, after its latest round of investments, the company believes it is setting the table for many more good years […]
-
By Kevin Widlic, Contributing Editor. At Milan Design Week 2024, aluminum reinforced its case as a feature material among designers and aesthetes from across the world. The various designs presented at the show demonstrate that aluminum can be a powerful material for more than just furniture. Milan Design Week, or Salone del Mobile, originated in […]
-
By Kevin Widlic, Contributing Editor. Aluminum has been used in various sectors for years, and most in the industry are accustomed to seeing aluminum in assorted everyday products. But what many may not be aware of is that aluminum can advantageously replace other materials in bridge constructions with regard to ease of construction and cost […]
-
By Kevin Widlic, Contributing Editor. Hydro believes it is going to see a dramatic shift in its employee base over the next five years, with 25,000 new employees entering the company. Some of these new employees will join through acquisitions in support of future growth, while others will be through recruitment. Of these, a higher […]