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DISCOVER THE
WORLD OF ALUMINIUM

Uncover how aluminium is made, how it’s helping to power the energy transition and why it matters.

BEGIN YOUR JOURNEY

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WHY ALUMINIUM?

Light, strong, and endlessly recyclable. Aluminium is everywhere for a reason. Learn why its unique properties make it an essential material.

EXPLORE

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ENERGY TRANSITION

From solar panels to electric vehicles, aluminium plays a key role in the shift to cleaner energy. Explore how it supports a more sustainable, low-carbon future.

EXPLORE

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PRODUCTION IN AUSTRALIA

Take a look at how Australia mines, refines, and produces aluminium. From raw bauxite to powerful possibilities.

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WHY ALUMINIUM?

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why aluminium

Aesthetically pleasing

Aluminium’s modern appearance is frequently used to enhance building designs. It is light and structurally sound, which makes it sought after by architects to create eye-catching and innovative architectural features to their projects.

Lightweight advantage for fuel efficiency

Aluminium’s strength to weight ratio helps improve fuel efficiency and maximise performance – a key reason why it’s widely used in the aerospace, automotive, and marine industries.

Building national economic prosperity and supporting jobs for Australians

Australia’s aluminium sector spans bauxite mining, alumina refining, aluminium smelting, extrusion, and downstream manufacturing. Together, these activities contribute around $18 billion in value adding to the national economy every year and supports over 75,000 jobs. They reinforce Australia’s resilience by reducing dependency on imports and bolstering sovereign manufacturing capabilities.

Ideal for cooking and food storage

Aluminium distributes heat evenly and maintains consistent temperatures, making it great for cooking. Its non-reactive nature is a key reason why its commonly used in food packaging and containers, helping to keep food fresh without affecting taste or smell.

Prioritising safety

Aluminium has a high strength-to-weight ratio so it can handle substantial loads while minimising overall mass. It also absorbs shock effectively, approximately twice as well as steel. When aluminium parts are deformed, the impact is localised while the rest of the structure retains its shape. That’s vital when safety is at stake, like in motor vehicles.

Infinitely Recyclable

Like all metals, aluminium consists of atoms bonded in a crystal structure, making it easy to melt and reshape without altering its fundamental properties. That makes aluminium infinitely recyclable, with about 75% of all aluminium ever produced still in use today. For example, the aluminium found in discarded mobile phones can be recycled without losing its intrinsic qualities.

Lightweight edge for sporting performance

Aluminium’s strength and lightweight qualities make it a metal of choice. From ski poles and mountaineering gear, it can be used anywhere where resistance to corrosion is important and a few grams can make the difference.

Outstanding thermal performance

Aluminium can be used effectively in a wide range of climates and retains its properties in temperatures from about -80ºC to +300ºC.

Naturally resistant to corrosion

When aluminium is exposed to air, it forms a protective oxide layer that gives it excellent resistance to corrosion. It’s an essential for vehicles and machinery that operate in harsh marine or aerospace environments.

A lightweight conductor of heat and electricity

Although not as conductive as copper, aluminium is much lighter. This attribute allows aluminium to offer comparable electrical performance without the added weight, making it a popular option for electrical transmission lines.

Aesthetically pleasing

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Lightweight advantage for fuel efficiency

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Building national economic prosperity and supporting jobs for Australians

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Ideal for cooking and food storage

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Prioritising safety

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Infinitely Recyclable

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Lightweight edge for sporting performance

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Outstanding thermal performance

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Naturally resistant to corrosion

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A lightweight conductor of heat and electricity

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WHY ALUMINIUM?

BACK TO ALUMINIUM WORLD TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE
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You’ve struck metal!
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let’s smelt down the facts!

NEXT QUESTION

What percentage of aluminium can be recycled
without losing its quality?

A

100%

B

50%

C

25%
CONTINUE

Why is aluminium used in transport applications
such as cars, planes, and bicycles?

A

It has a high strength-to-weight ratio, making vehicles more fuel-efficient.

B

It is the cheapest material available.

C

It is softer than other metals.
CONTINUE

Why is aluminium suitable
for food packaging?

A

It is heavier than plastic.

B

It reacts with food to enhance flavors.

C

It is non-reactive and helps keep food fresh.
CONTINUE
BACK TO WHY ALUMINIUM?

Thanks for Exploring the
‘WHY ALUMINIUM?’ WORLD

Thanks for taking the quiz and exploring. Whether you’re here out of curiosity, passion, or just for fun, we hope you’ve learned something new and enjoyed the journey. Aluminium plays a big role in our everyday lives — from helping build a more sustainable future to powering the things we use every day.

Want to keep exploring? Head back to Aluminium World.
There's always more to uncover!

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ENERGY TRANSITION

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ENERGY TRANSITION

Essential for low-carbon technologies

Aluminium is critical for a range of low-carbon technologies, including wind turbines, energy storage, and hydroelectric power. It is widely used in both onshore and offshore wind projects, in everything from tower platforms to turbines. Aluminium-ion batteries show promising potential for next-generation energy storage systems.

Evolving alumina refineries

Alumina refineries currently rely primarily on gas or coal to create the steam and heat needed for digestion and calcination. This could potentially be replaced by new renewable powered technologies, such as Mechanical Vapour Recompression, Electric or Hydrogen Calcination, and Electric Boilers, once they become commercially viable at scale. This would require an additional 3 to 5 gigawatts of electricity (depending on the technology used), to replace current thermal energy with renewable electricity.

Taking the lead on low-emission technologies

Australia is leading innovative trials to reduce emissions from alumina refineries. We’re focusing on adapting existing sites to lower-carbon processes and examining both direct electrification and the use of renewable hydrogen for both the digestion and calcination processes.

Facilitating grid stabilisation

Australia’s grid-connected mines, refineries, and smelters play a key role in grid stabilisation, facilitating the higher adoption of variable renewables. Aluminium smelters in particular can deliver fast and substantial interruptibility, helping secure the network before, during and after events. As more renewable energy is integrated into the grid, the aluminium industry increasingly supports stability and reliability.

Ideal for solar panel frames

Aluminium is the most widely used mineral material in solar photovoltaic technologies, accounting for over 85% of the mineral demand for components such as frames and racking. It can even improve the performance of solar cells themselves. Incorporating aluminium studs can boost panel efficiency because of the reflective properties inherent to the material.

Bauxite for a clean energy future

Australia is one of the largest producers of bauxite worldwide. The country operates six bauxite mines, supplying around 25% of global production. Bauxite is essential for producing aluminium, which plays a key role in clean energy technologies, such as electric vehicles and renewable energy infrastructure.

A bright future for Aluminium

Global demand for aluminium is expected to nearly double by 2050. Although a growing share of this will be met through recycled sources, primary aluminium production will still increase, requiring a corresponding rise in global bauxite mining and alumina refining.

A lightweight conductor of heat and electricity

Although not as conductive as copper, aluminium is much lighter. This means aluminium offers comparable electrical performance without the added weight, making it a popular option for electrical transmission lines.

Essential for low-carbon technologies

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Evolving alumina refineries

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Taking the lead on low-emission technologies

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Facilitating grid stabilisation

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Ideal for solar panel frames

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Bauxite for a clean energy future

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A bright future for Aluminium

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A lightweight conductor of heat and electricity

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ENERGY TRANSITION

BACK TO ALUMINIUM WORLD TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE
PLAY VIDEO
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TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE

You’ve struck metal!
That’s the right pick.

OOPS, Not quite.
let’s smelt down the facts!

NEXT QUESTION

Why is bauxite considered a critical mineral for
the clean energy future?

A

It’s mainly used to make packaging.

B

It’s essential for producing aluminium, which is vital for clean energy technologies.

C

It is used in transport applications.
CONTINUE

How does Australia’s aluminium industry help
stabilise the electricity grid?

A

By adjusting energy consumption quickly in response to disruptions in grid stability.

B

By storing excess renewable energy.

C

By generating renewable power for the grid.
CONTINUE

What is one way the aluminium industry is working toward
lower emissions in alumina refineries?

A

Using geothermal energy.

B

Developing potential electric and hydrogen-based alumina refining technologies.

C

It is non-reactive and helps keep food fresh.
CONTINUE
BACK TO ENERGY TRANSITION

Thanks for Exploring
the World of Aluminium!

Thanks for taking the quiz and exploring the incredible world of aluminium. Whether you’re here out of curiosity, passion, or just for fun, we hope you’ve learned something new and enjoyed the journey. Aluminium plays a big role in our everyday lives — from helping build a more sustainable future to powering the things we use every day.

Want to keep exploring? Head back to Aluminium World.
There's always more to uncover!

BACK TO ALUMINIUM WORLD

PRODUCTION IN AUSTRALIA

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ENERGY TRANSITION

Alumina refineries in Australia

Alumina refineries process bauxite ore into alumina, which is then smelted to produce aluminium metal. Australia is the second largest alumina producer globally, contributing about 15% of total world output through five refineries. Around 85% of Australia’s annual alumina output is exported to smelters around the world.

Pre-consumer scrap

Pre-consumer scrap consists of surplus materials generated during the manufacturing or fabrication of aluminium items, before they reach the end‑user. Offcuts of aluminium sheet or extrusions are typical examples of pre-consumer scrap.

Versatile applications

Aluminium is in great demand because of the versatility it offers designers and engineers. It can be shaped into all kinds of shapes and forms by extruding, rolling, or casting. In Australia, aluminium products are widely used in construction, transport, and packaging.

Specialised metal recyclers

Since aluminium smelters cannot safely accept most contaminated scrap, dedicated metal recyclers collect and export both pre-consumer and post-consumer scrap for processing at specialist remelting plants.

Post-consumer scrap

Post-consumer scrap is material that has already been used and then discarded by the consumer, like used beverage cans, window frames and some car parts are all examples. Aluminium smelters are normally unable to process post-consumer scrap because its composition is often unknown and it may be contaminated.

Exporting Aluminium worldwide

More than 90% of Australia’s primary aluminium metal production is exported to international markets. This strong export focus not only contributes significantly to the nation’s economy but also highlights Australia’s position as a key global supplier of aluminium. Through these exports, Australian producers help to meet diverse needs in manufacturing, construction, and other industries around the globe.

Alloying for strength

Pure aluminium is a soft metal. But, we can make it extremely strong and durable through alloying with elements like manganese, silicon, copper, magnesium, or zinc. After alloying, aluminium can be processed into an array of products used in everyday life.

Rehabilitating the land

After bauxite is mined, the edges of the mine are carefully smoothed. Topsoil and overburden are then returned to the site, and the ground is prepared to prevent soil erosion and made ready for seeding and planting. Logs and rocks that were removed before mining are replaced to create natural habitats and nesting areas for local wildlife. Monitoring and assessment then continues into the future.

Alumina refineries in Australia

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Pre-consumer scrap

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Versatile applications

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Specialised metal recyclers

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Post-consumer scrap

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Exporting Aluminium worldwide

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Alloying for strength

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Rehabilitating the land

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PRODUCTION IN AUSTRALIA

BACK TO ALUMINIUM WORLD TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE
PLAY VIDEO
1 / 3
TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE

You’ve struck metal!
That’s the right pick.

OOPS, Not quite.
let’s smelt down the facts!

NEXT QUESTION

How important is aluminium to
Australia’s economy?

A

It’s mainly used to make packaging.

B

It’s essential for producing aluminium, which is vital for clean energy technologies.

C

A key contributor to exports and GDP.
CONTINUE

What percentage of Australia’s alumina
production is exported?

A

50%

B

85%

C

30%
CONTINUE

What happens to the land
after bauxite is mined?

A

It is left as an open pit.

B

It is rehabilitated by replacing topsoil, planting vegetation, and restoring habitats.

C

It is converted into farmland.
CONTINUE
BACK TO PRODUCTION IN AUSTRALIA

Thanks for Exploring
the World of Aluminium!

Thanks for taking the quiz and exploring the incredible world of aluminium. Whether you’re here out of curiosity, passion, or just for fun, we hope you’ve learned something new and enjoyed the journey. Aluminium plays a big role in our everyday lives — from helping build a more sustainable future to powering the things we use every day.

Want to keep exploring? Head back to Aluminium World.
There's always more to uncover!

BACK TO ALUMINIUM WORLD