Wispeco Aluminium – Aluminium Extrusions [ECG-Premium] [Cat.1 - Manufactured] | ecospecifier

Wispeco Aluminium – Aluminium Extrusions [ECG-Premium] [Cat.1 - Manufactured]

Overview:

Aluminium extrusions made with recycled content and available in a variety of finishes.

Product Description:

Wispeco extruded aluminium profiles are available in mill, powder coating, or anodised finishes. Both aluminium virgin billet and billet produced from recycled aluminium are utilised in the extrusion process whereby the heated mixed aluminium billet is pushed through a die under high pressure and temperature to form simple or very complex profile shapes.

Wispeco uses 69% post-consumer recycled aluminium and process scrap. Although the smelting of primary aluminium is an energy intensive process the remelting of recycled aluminium requires as little as 5% of this energy. The product is a semi-fabricated value added product which is in some cases a complete consumer article such as swimming pool tubes, carpet and tile edging, or in most cases a product which is further processed by another firm into products such as windows, doors etc.

Aluminium is fully recyclable and has an excellent strength to weight ratio.

Click here for Supplier contact details or make an enquiry directly to the supplier using the Product Enquiry Form at the bottom of the page.

PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS

Options	Mill, powder coating, or anodised finishes.
Colours	Akzo Nobel and Ferro powder coating colours
Warranty	N/A
Expected Life	Subject to application
Indicative Costs	Cost varies, contact manufacturer for pricing.
Purchase Options	Contact manufacturer for purchase options.
Constituents	Aluminium:69% post-consumer recycled and process scrap content 31% virgin material
Technical Specifications	BS EN755, SANS1796, SANS999
National & International Standards	BS EN755, SANS1796, SANS999
Country of Origin	South Africa
Projects	Moses Mabida Durban Soccer Stadium 2010 World Cup New Durban Airport Port Elizabeth Harbour Control Terminal Building
Preparation	N/A

ECOSPECIFIER LIFE-CYCLE ASSESSMENT

INTEGRATED DESIGN AND POLICY ISSUES

None, subject to application and final product.

HUMAN HEALTH

Health

Wispeco’s use of recycled content mitigates health impacts related to the manufacturing of virgin aluminium products.

There are health concerns related to the manufacturing of virgin aluminium products. The IARC classifies the process of aluminium production as carcinogenic to humans. The risk relates to exposure to 'tar' and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) during the Söderberg production process. Alternative methods that reduce exposure to tar are available. Appropriate Personal Protection Equipment will help mitigate potential exposure and negative impacts. Use of recycled content mitigates almost the same percentage of these impacts as the recycled content.

See ECOSPECIFIER ISSUES OF CONCERN / RED LIGHTS below for more information.

Comfort

Not applicable

Indoor Environment Quality

If used in interior environments, products will have minimal effects on air quality, depending on finish.

Electromagnetic Radiation

Not applicable

Safety

Not applicable

Accessibility

Not applicable

ECOLOGICAL QUALITY

Terrestrial

Emissions – Wispeco Aluminium utilizes approximately 69% recycled content consisting of post-consumer and process waste, greatly reducing the impact on terrestrial environments from the mining and processing of bauxite ore for virgin aluminium.

Product contains virgin aluminium. The production of alumina from bauxite ores uses a chemical treatment, known as the Bayer Process (see Glossary). The alkaline mist associated with this process may have adverse land and vegetation impacts.

Physical – Mineral extraction of bauxite for virgin aluminium production, will disrupt landscapes and alter ecosystems. Because bauxite deposits are found near the Earth’s surface, mining requires removal of topsoil and overburden before deeper excavation occurs.

Aquatic

Emissions – During the preparation process for powder coating of extruded aluminium, the aluminium is washed in tanks containing a chromate solution. See ECOSPECIFIER ISSUES OF CONCERN / RED LIGHTS below for more information.

Physical – Bauxite residues of red mud generated in the production of virgin aluminium are disposed of in dams. The excess alumina-rich water is discharged into marine environments. Again, use of recycled content reduces the impacts on aquatic environments from the disposal of red mud.

Atmosphere

Greenhouse (GHG) – Reprocessing of recycled aluminium and process waste requires a small fraction of the energy required for virgin materials. With the high content of post-consumer recycled content, Wispeco’s extrusions will have significantly lower GHG emissions when compared to 100% virgin aluminium.

Virgin aluminium smelting is a high energy process and responsible for significant GHG emissions from energy use and process emissions such as perfluorocarbon (PFC). Reprocessing of recycled aluminium scrap and process scrap requires a small fraction of the energy required for virgin materials.

Greenhouse intensity ~ 6.129kgCO2e

Based on figures sourced from Bath University, the greenhouse intensity (Embodied Carbon) of extruded aluminium profiles produced from virgin (primary) material is 12.79 kgCO2e/kg compared to 1.81 kgCO2e/kg for recycled (secondary) material. Due to its high recycled content the greenhouse intensity of Wispeco’s aluminium profiles is 5.20 kgCO2e/kg.

Transport intensity – Product is manufactured in South Africa.

Table below provides land transportation greenhouse intensity figures to help calculate the greenhouse gas intensity of land transportation from shipping port.

Light commercial vehicle	Rigid Truck	Articulated Truck
0.001451kgCO2e / kg.km	0.000195kgCO2e / kg.km	0.000169kgCO2e / kg.km

Transport intensity figures sourced from Australian National Greenhouse Gas Inventory 1990, 1995 and 1999 and WWF International, Inland Navigations and Emissions, 2005.

Operational efficiency – Not applicable

Re-use Efficiency – Aluminium is easily recycled

Toxics and Pollutants – Use of recycled content mitigates the negative impacts normally associated with the process of alumina refinement for virgin aluminium.

The process of alumina refinement for virgin aluminium production generates plant emissions, including coal dust, fugitive lime dust, alumina dust and aerosol generated from plant process liquor including fluorine/fluoride emissions that are known toxins.Use of recycled content mitigates almost the same percentage of these impacts as the recycled content

Ozone Depletion – There are no known impacts on ozone depletion.

Urban Heat Island Effects – Not applicable

Noise – Not applicable

Biodiversity

Wispeco Aluminium’s use of recycled content largely reduces the impacts of biodiversity associated with refinement of virgin aluminium from alumina.

The largest biodiversity impact from virgin aluminium production is typically due to mercury emissions from coal fired power stations.

Bauxite mining for virgin aluminium production leads to modified soil profiles, topography and drainage which impacts natural vegetation and biodiversity impacts. Aluminium smelting has significant potential microorganism, animal and vegetation impacts up to within 5km of smelters.

Use of recycled content mitigates almost the same percentage of these impacts as the recycled content

RESOURCE DEPLETION

Resource Efficiency

Bauxite is a non-renewable mineral resource with an estimated 200 year supply. The use of recycled aluminium reduces the depletion of virgin aluminium.

Embodied Fossil Fuel Energy

Extruded profiles from virgin (primary) material ~ 213.5MJ/kg

Extruded profiles from recycled (secondary) material ~ 34.1.MJ/kg

Wispeco extruded profiles ~ 114.83 MJ/kg

Based on figures from Bath University

Transport Intensity - Product is manufactured in South Africa.

Embodied Water

Unknown

Durability

Aluminium is a durable non-ferrous metal that resists corrosion.

Reusability

Yes, aluminium can be reused or recycled.

Repairability

Not applicable

Design for Dematerialisation

Design for Disassembly

Not applicable

Recyclability

Aluminium is 100% recyclable. Wispeco have a remelt facility in Gauteng, for which the main supply is process scrap, but scrap aluminium is purchased from collectors which transport bailed scrap to the plant.

Maintenance

Dependant on application.

Product Takeback Scheme

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)

CORPORATE AND SOCIAL SUSTAINABILITY

Audits and Environmental Reporting

Wispeco report on Greenhouse Gas emissions through the Carbon Disclosure Project reports annually. Reports are compiled by Wispeco Holdings (Ltd), a subsidiary of Remgro (Ltd) listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange.

Convictions

None

Environmental Policy

Wispeco’s policy is to comply with applicable environmental regulations

Social Enhancement Programs

Wispeco accepts its responsibility to continuously develop and uplift the people from previously disadvantaged communities. The company is involved in a wide variety of formal programs to enhance the social environment, including training on the use of aluminium extrusions for application in the architectural industry, initiating an entrepreneurial development program, aimed at empowering young entrepreneurs from previously disadvantaged communities, and providing an Adult Basic Education Program to illiterate employees.

Technology Transfer Programs

Yes

Environmental Management Systems (EMS)

ECOSPECIFIER ISSUES OF CONCERN / RED LIGHTS

Red Light Exclusion:

Certain Akzo Nobel and certain ‘Ferro’ Powder Coatings: These powder coatings contain Triglycidyl Isocyanurate (TGIC) (5 to 10%) and Lead Chromates at varying, but substantial concentrations (greater than 0.5, less than 25%)

TGIC is classified as toxic with the following risk phrases: R46, may cause heritable genetic damage; R23/25 toxic by inhalation and toxic if swallowed; R41, risk of serious damage to the eyes; R43 May cause sensitisation by skin contact; R48/22, Danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure if swallowed; R52/53 Harmful to aquatic organisms, may cause long-term adverse effects in the environment.

Lead Chromate is classified as toxic and dangerous to the environment with the following risk phrases: R45, may cause cancer; R61, may cause harm to the unborn child; R33, danger of cumulative effects; R62, possible risk of impaired fertility; R50/53, very toxic to aquatic organisms, may cause long-term adverse effects in the aquatic environment.

As a surface finish, there is a high probability of exposure to these substances in the powder coating, which pose a significant health risk to humans and the environment. Therefore, according to the ecospecifier risk assessment, based on the Precautionary Principle, aluminium extrusions coated with Powder Coatings containing TGIC and Lead Chromates shall be excluded from the ecospecifier certification.

ECOSPECIFIER GREENRATE GREEN BUILDING SCHEME PRE-ASSESSMENT

Green Star SA™ Office Version 1

Product does not assist in the achievement of credits within this rating tool.

Green Star SA™ Retail Centre Version 1