Whether one is left leaning or right leaning politically, it must be admitted that aluminum primary production is a highly energy- and therefore carbon-intensive process. No matter what the “low-carbon” aluminum producer claims, the amount of CO2e per tonne of aluminum remains usually 5 to 10 times greater than using recycled aluminum, and at least 20 to 40 times greater than using Eccomelt.
Evidence from polling shows that the desire for net zero emissions consistently ranks as a major concern for voters across the political spectrum, especially younger generations. There seems to be an impression that right wing governments oppose climate change policies, but this is often not true, as in the cases of the UK, Hungary and Italy in the last number of years. Even in the U.S., right wing governments have implemented policies and laws to decrease carbon emissions. As we can see, though our elected governments shift back and forth between left leaning and right leaning, the consumer understands that the need to stop polluting the environment and create a circular economy must occur now, and the populace will pressure any government in power to do the right thing.
From what we’ve seen throughout history, governments can only do so much. Implementation of policies often takes longer than needed, and often extends into a new government’s tenure. People and consumers will ultimately hold manufacturers responsible for protecting our environment. Whatever government is in power, it ultimately almost doesn’t matter; it is the manufacturers who must take the responsibility upon themselves to innovate and constantly improve their processes, feedstock and raw materials, to ensure they are protecting the environment for future generations. This will be their legacy.
Governments of either political direction in both the U.S. and Europe have been supporting investment in clean technologies and renewable energy because these sectors create jobs and increase competitiveness. Some also have the rationale that such technologies will reduce dependence on foreign oil and gas imports, ensuring energy independence, a key priority for most governments. Increasing recycling is without a doubt the most important contribution in the aluminum sector to reduce carbon emissions, but it also reduces the dependency of most countries in North America and Europe on foreign imports of (often high carbon intensive) primary aluminum. For some governments this is also a matter of national security.
The European Union, led by various both social-democratic and conservative / right leaning governments, has headed ambitious climate and circular economy goals, promoting renewable energy and sustainability through the Green New Deal.
For some left-leaning policymakers, achieving net zero aligns with broader goals of environmental justice. They claim there is climate-induced inequality and resource scarcity, the correction of which will prevent conflicts and humanitarian crises. Their rationale is that reducing emissions aligns with broader goals of environmental justice and wealth redistribution.
Interestingly, both Left and Right recognize that climate change is a national security issue. For example, instability caused by climate-related events, such as migration due to drought, can affect national borders and defense. Net zero policies mitigate these risks.
Clearly, the environment is a bipartisan issue and important to all. We at Eccomelt are focused on delivering what really matters: cutting-edge technologies and sustainable practices. We remain at the forefront of assisting manufacturers in meeting their sustainability objectives while maintaining their competitive edge. Here’s how Eccomelt helps manufacturers protect the environment for future generations:
- Waste Reduction and Resource Efficiency
Our product, eccomelt356.2, in and of itself was created to enable the circular economy to upcycle post-consumer wheels in the automotive industry, which we have been doing successfully and with continuous improvement since the inception of Eccomelt LLC in 2006. Eccomelt specializes in offering innovative solutions to minimize waste and enhance resource efficiency. Our technologies focus on optimizing industrial processes, reducing the consumption of raw materials, and cutting down on energy use, all of which have a direct positive impact on the environment.
For example, Eccomelt’s systems help manufacturers reclaim and repurpose materials that would otherwise be significantly down-cycled (and contaminate valuable recycling streams) or even discarded in landfill. One example are Chrome wheels that contain Cu and Ni and would even in a small quantity make a batch of perfect post-consumer wheels unusable for making new wheels or structural castings out of them. By correct segregation and treatment, these wheels are recycled 100% into new high quality automotive pistons, replacing the need for primary metal to produce those. Another example are weights for balancing the wheels, which we remove 100% to avoid any contamination and then recycle separately into the best suitable applications. By integrating circular economy principles, we support the recycling of materials to the maximum and the reduction of the need for virgin resources, which ultimately helps lower the environmental footprint.
- Energy Efficiency Technologies
Energy use is one of the most significant contributors to a company’s carbon emissions, especially in energy-intensive industries like aluminum and manufacturing. Eccomelt’s one-two-punch of recycling A356 sing a non-thermal process, offers an advanced energy-efficient product (eccomelt356.2) that can also help manufacturers lower their overall energy consumption through optimized melting with higher efficiency. Our methods are designed to optimize production cycles, improve equipment performance, and reduce waste heat generation, thus minimizing the energy required for manufacturing processes. We have advanced our process to allow our customers to obtain even higher recycling content, lower melt loss, and higher energy efficiency. We use 100% post-consumer feedstock, which closes the loop from cradle to gate.
- Supporting Regulatory Compliance
Navigating the complex web of environmental regulations can be challenging for manufacturers, especially in a fluctuating political climate. Eccomelt’s Performance Certification, awarded by the ASI, Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs), expertise in environmental law and industry best practices, allow us to provide manufacturers with all relavant data and guidance on compliance, ensuring that they meet national and international environmental standards and regulatory requirements. This is particularly important as EU regulations continue to evolve, and companies need to remain adaptable to avoid fines and reputational damage.
By implementing Eccomelt’s solutions, manufacturers can future-proof their operations against potential regulatory changes, ensuring continued compliance even as political landscapes shift.
- Innovation and Research for Sustainable Manufacturing
Eccomelt is deeply committed to fostering innovation in sustainable manufacturing. We invest in research and development to improve our existing and create new, eco-friendly production technologies. This dedication to innovation helps ensure that both European and North American manufacturers stay on the cutting edge of sustainability, able to implement novel solutions that can significantly reduce environmental impacts.
