A few days ago, Hydro and Austin AI signed a cooperation agreement on aluminum wheel hub technology research and development projects, which indicates that the recycling of automotive aluminum scraps and aluminum wheels will be more efficient.

Hydro is a Norwegian aluminum processing technology company and Austin AI is a Texas company that specializes in the production of sensor sorting equipment.

“We are very optimistic about this and we look forward to this cooperation to solve the problem of waste generated in the automobile production process, thereby saving energy, reducing consumption and simplifying processes, and promoting the sustainable development of automotive lightweight aluminum,” said Kjetil Ebbesberg, vice president of Hydro. “Our next step is to develop Hydro into a preferred partner for car manufacturers and carbon neutrals by 2020.”

The working principle of AAI's aluminum alloy sorting equipment is laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS), which allows efficient and accurate sorting of alloy products. Through a number of tests and comparisons, Hydro ultimately chose AAI as a partner.

AAI plans to install a pilot-scale sorting facility at the research and development center in Hydro, Bonn, Germany. In addition, Hydro's researchers are gradually advancing the cooperation process. Both parties work together to improve the efficiency of the sorting system and ensure that the sorting results meet the plan requirements.

“The new process based on the LIBS system is more effective. At present, Hydro can meet the customer's waste recycling needs in the automotive production process. In the future, it is expected to recover the aluminum from scrapped cars. At that time, the recovery rate will be greatly improved.” Klaus Vieregge, head of the Born R&D center said.