The International Aluminum Institute (IAI) has created a roadmap to recycle bauxite residue (BR), which is a by-product of the alumina making process, in cement making to reduce storage.
The IAI forecasts alumina production to increase to 178mn mt by 2040, compared with 124mn mt last year, with a preceding rise in aluminum demand. Thus, the amount of BR generated will also increase to 8bn mt from the current level of 7bn mt.
According to a recent report by the IAI, it is working on bringing alumina producers and cement makers closer together to work on using BR in the cement-making process. In recent studies by IAI members such as Nalco, Hydro, and universities across the world, it was noted that cement with up to 20pc BR content had greater compressive strength and could replace clinker, a binding material used in cement, thanks to the iron and aluminum content in BR.
The IAI, with its member companies, intends to attend global cement and concrete seminars as well as organize alumina workshops to gradually build an understanding and collaboration among the two industries involved in this sustainable solution. Notably, Rio Tinto Canada has already implemented a similar process in its effort with Lafarge.