Australia Advances Circular Manufacturing as Alspec, Alspex and Rio Tinto Launch New Aluminium Recycling Loop

Australia’s aluminium sector is taking a significant step toward circular production as Alspec, Alspex and Rio Tinto introduce a closed-loop recycling system designed to reduce emissions and strengthen domestic supply chains, according to information released by the companies.

According to details provided by Alspec and Alspex, post-production aluminium scrap generated at their facilities will now enter a dedicated recycling pathway instead of being discarded. It is understood that the material will be collected, sorted and transported to Rio Tinto’s Boyne Smelters Limited (BSL) in Gladstone, where it is remelted using hydroelectric power. Based on company disclosures, BSL then converts the scrap into aluminium billets containing at least 20% recycled content, a product that Alspec has branded “20-13 by Alspec.”

Company disclosures indicate that these billets are supplied back to Alspex, where they are extruded into new aluminium profiles for local fabricators producing windows, doors and other architectural components made in Australia. The partners noted that the new recycled-content offering is expected to support projects seeking lower-emission building materials, including those aligned with Green Star certification and government tenders that prioritise Australian-made and low-carbon products. Developers and architects are also increasingly promoting sustainability as a value-adding feature in multi-unit and residential projects, according to industry commentary shared with the announcement.

According to industry analysis, demand for recycled aluminium is rising as Australia’s construction sector faces pressure to cut embodied carbon and comply with evolving regulatory frameworks. Recycled aluminium requires significantly less energy than primary metal production, making it an increasingly important material as federal procurement rules and the Green Building Council of Australia encourage the use of recycled and low-carbon inputs. Analysts noted that such initiatives also enhance domestic supply security at a time when global metals markets are becoming more volatile.

By integrating recycled aluminium directly into the manufacturing loop, the partnership between Alspec, Alspex and Rio Tinto represents a meaningful shift toward a circular economy in Australia. According to the companies, the 20-13 program aims to offer the market a scalable, locally produced low-carbon alternative that aligns with future sustainability expectations.

Source: Alspec

SUNSHINE Spotlight: The initiative highlights a scalable pathway for integrating recycled aluminium into Australia’s mainstream manufacturing and construction supply chains.