best aluminum extrusion company Archives - Page 2 of 3

16 11, 2011

America Recycles Day

andre2015-06-18T15:33:40+00:00November 16th, 2011|

This Tuesday, November 14^th was “America Recycles Day,” spearheaded by The Aluminum Association. Praising the material the Association said, “Aluminum’s recyclability and durability means that 75% of all aluminum ever produced is still in use today.” As one of the most recycled materials on the planet- it is also one of the most energy efficient to recycle. In fact it only “requires only 5% of the energy and saves 95% of the greenhouse gas emissions associated with primary aluminum production.”

Aluminum cans are highly recycled “with 58.1% of aluminum cans recycled in 2010” in the US. But The Aluminum Association is looking to raise that figure to 75%. This year’s theme, “recycle today and always,” was meant to encourage consumers to always consider recycling a priority when using said containers. Amazingly, “recycling one aluminum can saves enough energy to power a TV for 3 hours or a 100-watt light bulb for 4 hours,” so we should all take their message to heart. And it seems like people are when you look around, suggested Heidi Brock, President of the Aluminum Association.

“The great thing for me is to see someone cross the street to use a recycle bin instead of tossing the can in the trash container next to them. Or when I see a recycling bin that’s larger than the trash bin,” said Brock. “That’s how we know we are getting the message out and people are listening. We are all in this together.”

Anyone interested in recycling at their home or business can learn more about aluminum can recycling by visiting the following sites: www.aluminum.org/can and www.Earth911.org.

CLICK HERE to read the original article and learn more about “America Recycles Day.”

3 11, 2011

Leaders in Manufacturing call for Increased US Competitiveness

andre2017-01-26T23:37:31+00:00November 3rd, 2011|

The Jacksonville Journal’s recent article recapping the Clinton Global Initiative in New York, states that Andrew Liveris, CEO of Dow Chemical, has been concerned that the “country is rapidly falling behind its

[manufacturing] competitors overseas.” And furthermore that America is facing an all out crisis within the industry.

While Liveris’ quotes were stern and straightforward, the entirety of his sentiments were meant to motivate a stagnant or perhaps misguided American manufacturing agenda. While he warned, “If we give up on manufacturing, we will be giving up on innovation.” He countered saying, “we can reinvent the sector that was once the source of America’s greatest pride. So let the rebuilding begin.”

The most crucial point Liveris made at the talk, which the article expels, is the connection between innovations manufacturing and American prosperity. The focus of this posts being on the former. “We can’t survive on ideas alone,” the article recounts Liveris saying whose sentiments are echoed further in his book, “Make it in America: The Case for Re-inventing the Economy.” In short, Liberis proposed that it’s time to shift the focus of American business back from overseas and onto American soil through competitive incentives. For example:

1. Create a new manufacturing tax credit that reduces the effective rate substantially.
2. Make an R&D tax credit permanent.
3. Create a new economic growth bank that funds sustainable jobs and businesses controlled by a bipartisan board.
4. Change the legal immigration policy to make America more hospitable to foreign entrepreneurs.

CLICK HERE to read the original article and to learn more about the current US Manufacturing “crisis.”

26 10, 2011

Public Art Project Chooses to Use Aluminum to Spread Positive Messages

andre2017-01-26T23:37:31+00:00October 26th, 2011|

In conjunction with Domestic Violence Awareness Month a new public art project in Lexington, Kentucky went on display on October 22^nd in honor of domestic violence survivors, showcasing their strength and courage. Entitled, Tiles for Relief, the public art project was comprised of poured melted aluminum, shaped by molds- made of sand and resin. “After cooling, the molds will break away and the individual tiles will be put together to form a mural.” The 100-piece tile mural represents designs by survivors participating in the Bluegrass Domestic Violence Program and the Violence Intervention and Prevention Center at the University of Kentucky. The project was developed by Niah Soult, an art therapist at Bluegrass who says the mural “depicts a woman in mid-scream.” Soult says the women felt like the image recalls what “relief” can look like for survivors.

The Centers partnered with local non-profit, Sculpture Trails Traveling Foundry, who was in charge of pouring the hot aluminum into the molds. Guests gathered on the 22^nd to witness the 1,500 degree liquid metal be transformed into tiles. Project organizers have been searching for “a highly visible spot near downtown” for the work to be located but have yet to find one ever since the original location fell through. Finding a permanent home for the work is key suggested Bluegrasses’ executive director, Darlene Thomas, who explained that domestic violence survivors struggle with feelings of alienation, so to have a physical place for the community to gather would be of the upmost significance. In closing, Thomas reflected on their choice of material, stating that the durability and longevity of aluminum was as much a symbolic choice as a literal one, in that the material’s physical assets reflected the resilience of survivors.

CLICK HERE to read the original article and learn more about this community project.

20 10, 2011

“Aluminum Man” Video Goes Viral & We Like IT!

andre2017-01-26T23:37:32+00:00October 20th, 2011|

Dare I ask, Is the ‘Aluminum Man’ video good for the industry? While the video was created as a jovial stunt it does offer up facts about aluminum. Lyrics describe the main character, Aluminum Man, as “light as a feather” and “recyclable;” all positive descriptions of the material.

The video’s creator, Richard Heene, has made previous viral spoofs that garnered he and his family international public attention, not all of which has been entirely positive. But with estimates that aluminum stocks will rise in the 4^th Quarter after what some might call a rough and unpredictable year, there’s little point in not bobbing along to the song which in its best moments praises the material for both its fanciful and practical purposes. So while the Huffington Post may not understand why Heene as contributed yet another stunt to his repertoire of joke videos and what the world could possibly learn from it- we’re bobbing along and yes…singing it praises.

CLICK HERE to read the original video and to watch the video or HERE to learn more about aluminum’s predicted stock gain in 2011’s 4^th Quarter.

17 10, 2011

Evaluating Craft Beer’s Switch to Aluminum Cans

andre2017-01-26T23:37:32+00:00October 17th, 2011|

In “Is Craft Beer’s Move to Aluminum a Dirty Choice?” John Heylin weighs the pros and cons of the newest trend in craft beer packing: aluminum cans. Helyin argues that the move to aluminum packaging is a reflection of consumer demand, as more craft beer drinkers are active and prefer containers that do not break as easily as glass. Helyin also cites the unbreakable nature of aluminum as an additional benefit to the manufacturer, who often looses product when working with glass. And if this wasn’t enough, aluminum is of benefit to distributors as it’s lighter and less expensive to ship. So why is Helyin so against the industry’s new trend?

While Helyin feels the craft beer market established itself on a green, organic image which they are moving away from by using mainstream method’s of manufacturing, packaging and shipping, his main concerns were the processes used to acquire the material from the earth. But the fact remains that aluminum is better for beer. Seeing that it’s nearly 100% recyclable, cans costs less to manufacture than glass, have a longer shelf life – creating less waste and above all, are a better preserver of quality and taste, all seem to trump his environmental focus. While Helyin’s points should not be dismissed as it is always important to consider the costs of mining the earth, it is also necessary to consider what material is best suited for a product that will undoubtedly be around until the end of time. Watch Inc.’s “New Product Trend: Craft Beer in a Can” video below to learn about the first USA brewer to use aluminum and positive ways it has affected the production and use of the product.

CLICK HERE to read the original article and learn more about craft beer’s switch to aluminum cans.

CLICK HERE to watch Inc.’s video about the first brewing company in America to use aluminum cans and the many ways it’s benefiting to the industry.

7 10, 2011

Predicted Demands for Aluminum Encourage Industry Growth

andre2015-06-18T15:33:40+00:00October 7th, 2011|

Canada’s top aluminum companies will be investing 15 billion in facility enhancement and job creation in Quebec over the next decade based on “rising global demand” for the material. The need for new transportation systems like buses and subway cars that can be recycled and repaired for less cost when made with aluminum, and the widening call for bridge repair in North America, have enticed Quebec companies to invest heavily in the future of the industry.

Many facts point to an increase in aluminum use in the next 10 years. For starters there are approximately “250,000 older bridges in the United States and 3,000 in Quebec in need of repair.” In addition to that fact aluminum is more “cost effective [than] steel,” has a longer life cycle and when used in vehicles reduces their weight, therefore decreasing wear and tear on roads and bridges. In light of these details it will be easy market the material to current and future manufacturers as it is the greener alternative to other materials, like steel.

Canadian companies celebrate their “cheap hydroelectric energy costs and a trained workforce” as advantages that can only be further enhanced with their new investment. Ultimately the goal for the Canadians is to retaining industry expertise in the province and there’s no doubt their headed in the right direction.

CLICK HERE to read the original article and learn more about the expanded demand for aluminum.

28 09, 2011

iPhone’s New (Aluminum) Design Has the Potential to Change the Smartphone Market

andre2015-06-18T15:33:40+00:00September 28th, 2011|

It is rumored by a Wall Street analyst that the newly redesigned iPhone 5 will have an all-new aluminum back, replacing the existing glass back of the iPhone4. The newly issued iPhone4 is also predicted to have a new uniform aluminum design. Two key advantages to their use of this new material are its lightweight and durability. Beyond this- the cost to produce the phone will be dramatically reduced allowing Apple to see more profit based on their use of this new material.

“The two anticipated new iPhone models are expected by analyst Chris Whitmore with Deutsche Bank to push Apple’s smartphone sales even higher. He sees the so-called ‘iPhone 4S’ as a handset with a bill-of-material cost lower than $150, allowing Apple to sell it for between $300 and $350 without a carrier subsidy.”

Whitmore claims this cut in manufacturing cost will enhance Apple’s sales in the midrange smartphone market, possibly achieving margins up to 50 percent. The lower cost of the materials will undoubtedly generate more profit for Apple and be a better product for consumers.

Initial reports concerning iPhone’s new design first came out in March of 2011 but for now exact details are still under wraps. One thing for sure, these reports suggest aluminum will be the key material that will change the “face” of the midrange smartphone market.

Click here to read the full article from Apple Insider.

4 08, 2011

The 101 on Recycling Aluminum Materials

andre2015-06-18T15:33:41+00:00August 4th, 2011|

Here are 10 important and interesting facts about recycling aluminum materials…

-A used aluminum can is recycled and back on the grocery shelf as a new can, in as little as 60 days. That’s closed loop recycling at its finest!

-Used aluminum beverage cans are the most recycled item in the U.S., but other types of aluminum, such as siding, gutters, car components, storm window frames, and lawn furniture can also be recycled.

-Recycling one aluminum can saves enough energy to run a TV for three hours — or the equivalent of a half a gallon of gasoline.

-More aluminum goes into beverage cans than any other product.

-Because so many of them are recycled, aluminum cans account for less than 1% of the total U.S. waste stream, according to EPA estimates.

-An aluminum can that is thrown away will still be a can 500 years from now!

-There is no limit to the amount of times aluminum materials can be recycled.

-We use over 80,000,000,000 aluminum soda cans every year.

-At one time, aluminum was more valuable than gold!

-A 60-watt light bulb can be run for over a day on the amount of energy saved by recycling 1 pound of steel. In one year in the United States, the recycling of steel saves enough energy to heat and light 18,000,000 homes!

To learn more about the process aluminum recycling, and how to begin recycling yourself, please visit Earth911.

12 07, 2011

Aluminum Can Recycling Rate Reaches Highest Level in More than a Decade

andre2015-06-18T15:33:41+00:00July 12th, 2011|

The U.S. recycling rate for aluminum beverage cans has reached its highest level in a decade, with 58.1% of all cans recycled last year – a rate that is more than double that of any other beverage container, according to the Can Manufacturers Institute (CMI) and Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI).

Nearly 56 billion aluminum cans were recycled in 2010, leading to a used beverage container (UBC) recycling rate of 58.1% – the highest in 11 years. Because it takes 95% less energy to produce a can from recycled material, the high recycling rate also resulted in significant energy savings. The amount of energy saved just from recycling cans in 2010 is equal to the energy equivalent of 17 million barrels of crude oil, or nearly two days of all U.S. oil imports.

Aluminum beverage cans are unique in that they can be infinitely recycled back into new cans, keeping waste out of landfills and providing a significant amount of the material to make new cans. Indeed aluminum cans not only have the highest recycling rate of all beverage packages, they also have the greatest amount of recycled content – by far – at 68%.

Read the full article about the aluminum can at The Aluminum Association.

6 07, 2011

Aluminum Association Releases Video Honoring the Flag’s Unsung Partner: The Aluminum Flagpole

andre2017-01-26T23:37:32+00:00July 6th, 2011|

The Aluminum Association is paying tribute with a video of the flag and its unsung partner, the flagpole. The video includes images of the American flag flying over various U.S. historical locations as well as the extrusion process used to create flagpoles.

Among the most notable applications of aluminum flagpoles are the 50 flags representing each state that fly around the base of the Washington Monument in Washington, D.C. At one time, flags were flown on specific days of national celebration using temporary wooden flagpoles. For the George Washington Birthday celebration of 1958, it was determined that the flags would be flown permanently at the Monument, and aluminum flagpoles were installed.

These flagpoles represent the modern age of aluminum production, a material used in applications ranging from wiring to automobiles to building facades and beverage cans. Aluminum is lightweight, durable, and does not corrode; these properties make it the perfect material for permanent applications, such as flagpoles, that must uphold Old Glory under even the harshest weather conditions.

To see the video, visit the Aluminum Association’s Facebook by CLICKING HERE.

Or visit YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1RvfLj2CY6Y