Aluminum is an indispensable metal to modern manufacturing. Its low density and corrosion resistance make it the preferred metal for many manufactured products, from spacecraft components to beverage cans. The U.S. is the world's largest consumer of aluminum, and is the 4th largest producer of primary metal. Aluminum metal is made from two sources: primary metal, produced from ore and secondary metal, produced from scrap. The Aluminum Industry of the Future is working with the Department of Energy's Industrial Technologies Program (ITP) to increase energy efficiency and improve cost benefits for the aluminum industry.
Through participation in the Industrial Technologies Program (ITP) process, the U.S. aluminum industry has:
- Set a vision for the future
- Clearly defined its R&D priorities in roadmaps
- Developed a portfolio of innovative R&D
- Tapped into expanded tools and resources
- Accelerated progress toward major technology breakthroughs.
