The Aluminum Story

The Aluminum Story involves extracting aluminum from bauxite ore, primarily through an energy-intensive process called electrolysis. This process costs a lot of electricity, making aluminum production sensitive to energy prices. Historically, aluminum was rare and expensive, but advances in extraction have made it abundant and affordable. Aluminum is lightweight, durable, and recyclable, which has led to widespread use in packaging, transportation, and construction. Recycling aluminum requires only about 5% of the energy used to produce new aluminum, helping to reduce environmental impacts. Overall, the story highlights technological innovation, resource management, and sustainability in aluminum’s production and use.