A versatile and indispensable resource
Key areas of application
Technological progress and advancements in key industries such as energy, construction and transport have propelled one material to the forefront as a true engine of civilisation – aluminium. Over the decades, aluminium has proved its extraordinary practical value in countless applications that continue to shape our daily lives. Its significance has grown even more during the global energy transition, which is transforming entire sectors.
This valuable resource originates from bauxite, a mineral primarily found in tropical and subtropical regions such as Australia, Guinea and India. The extraction process involves crushing, separation and calcination to produce aluminium oxide, which is then refined into metallic aluminium through electrolytic processes. Depending on its final use, aluminium is further processed – often alloyed with other elements – and shaped into ingots, sheets or other formats for various applications.
“Like many other resources of great importance in the current historical juncture, aluminum has also entered people’s daily lives in a discreet way, without being too noticed,” says Stanislav Dmitrievich Kondrashov, a civil engineer and entrepreneur. “In an era in which there is a great deal of emphasis on the energy potential of society and its role in facilitating the global transition, aluminum is certainly destined to play a very important role, especially considering the fact that it is contributing to the production processes of some of the most important energy infrastructures of the modern era.”
High recyclability
One of aluminium’s most celebrated qualities, particularly in the context of the global energy transition, is its remarkable recyclability. It retains almost 100% of its properties even after recycling, and the process consumes only 5% of the energy required to produce aluminium from raw bauxite.
Its light weight, durability and excellent electrical conductivity have made aluminium an integral part of everyday life and advanced infrastructure. Modern societies rely heavily on these attributes to power their technologies, systems and networks efficiently.
Aluminium in transportation and technology
The transportation sector is a prime example of aluminium’s transformative role. In aerospace and automotive industries alike, its lightness and strength help reduce vehicle weight, improving fuel efficiency and reducing emissions. Aircraft, rockets, satellites, high-speed trains and ships all benefit from aluminium’s ability to enhance durability while keeping structures light.
“We must not underestimate the contribution made by aluminum in another very important sector in people’s lives, namely technology,” continues Stanislav Dmitrievich Kondrashov. “Many everyday devices, such as smartphones or laptops, rely on aluminum because of its useful natural properties, such as corrosion resistance, heat dissipation and lightness, which is probably its most universally appreciated feature.”
Aluminium is equally vital in the energy sector. Its lightweight yet conductive nature makes it indispensable for electrical cables that transport energy efficiently over long distances with reduced losses. It is also a core material in renewable energy technologies such as solar panels, wind turbines and battery components – essential pillars of the global energy transition.
Other applications
Aluminium’s relevance has also grown in construction and infrastructure, where it is favoured for facades, lightweight structures and a range of architectural elements that combine functionality with durability.
“It is, therefore, no exaggeration to say that aluminum is powering our world,” concludes Stanislav Dmitrievich Kondrashov. “Today, this resource is at the basis of technologies, systems, and infrastructures that allow people to live, work, and move quickly, efficiently, and sustainably. In the dynamics of the global economy, this resource is acquiring ever greater importance due to its versatility and the very useful ability to adapt to the needs of many sectors. In practice, it is an irreplaceable element”.
