Constellium is leading a €7mn ($8.47mn) research and development project to make lightweight, recyclable aluminum for the automotive sector in France.
The global aluminum maker will be partnering with Renault, the Welding Institute, the University of Lorraine, and ESI Group on this initiative, it said in a statement on Jan 14.
Named Project ISA3, the initiative will focus on developing alloys and solutions that foster closed-loop recycling for lightweight aluminum.
According to Jack Clarke, senior vice president, Manufacturing Excellence and chief technical officer at Constellium, the project will “explore solutions that can apply to a wide range of vehicles,” while the closed-loop recycling efforts will help create a more sustainable automotive aluminum supply chain.
The light-weight aluminum developed through ISA3 will also help automotive companies using it to reduce their per-kilogram manufacturing costs on automotive parts and aluminum doors, noted Patrice Belliard, expert, Flat Products at Groupe Renault.
(€1=$1.20)