Environmental assessment of Anodising from Sapphire Aluminium

THE RESULTS ARE CONCLUSIVE!

A new Australian study shows that anodising uses less energy and produces lower greenhouse gas emissions than polyester powdercoating.

From the results of a 100 year Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), Anodising is better both in terms of energy used (kWh) and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (CO2-e) per tonne of aluminium product. Over a 100 year life cycle Polyester Powdercoating has almost double the energy component of the anodising process.

The whole product Life Cycle assessment has been completed in accordance with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commision's (ACCC) Green marketing and the Trade Practices Act Guidelines and includes the manufacturing, recycling, destruction and disposal processes. The document specifically recommends the use of whole product life cycle as one of a number of principles to be followed when making claims about a particular process. The product Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology uses actual figures, such as those for energy consumption, emissions to the environment and materials used for both the Anodising and Polyester Powdercoating process and for aluminium section primary production and recycle processes.

The report has been prepared as the culmination of extensive studies undertaken by KMH Sustainable Infrastructure (formerly Sustainable Infrastructure Australia). KMH is a multi-diciplinary consultancy and works with some of Australia's largest companies as well as Local, State and Federal Government providing scientific, engineering and environmental audit services.

The results of this study together with the already well recognised advantages of anodised finishes over powdercoat finishes confirms that specification of anodised finishes for your next project is not only a technically sound decision , but an environmentally responsible one.

If you would like more information in regard to this study or a copy of the full report, please e-mail your enquiry to Ms Sharon Campbell at sharon@aisf.org.au