US aluminium recycler to reprocess Boeing scrap

United States – US-based Kaiser Aluminium Corporation and aircraft manufacturer Boeing are to launch a major recycling programme for copper and zinc aluminium. Kaiser plans to recycle up to 10 000 tonnes of copper and zinc aluminium alloys over the next two years.

Waste will be collected from multiple Boeing production facilities, melted at a Kaiser facility in Spokane, Washington State, and turned back into sheet and plate metal for the aerospace industry.

Boeing has previously co-operated with a number of companies in order to reduce waste, and is working for example to establish a way of converting used cooking oil into biofuel. John Byrne, vice-president of Boeing Aircraft Materials and Structures, explains: ‘Boeing is focused on reducing the environmental footprint of commercial aviation through the aircraft’s life cycle, which includes working with suppliers to increase materials’ recyclability and reduce manufacturing waste.’