Aluminum die casting with excellent recyclability contributes to the realization of a circular economy.
The main raw material for aluminum die casting is a recyclable secondary aluminum alloy. Aluminum die cast products used in automobiles and other vehicles are recyclable after disposal, and are reused as secondary aluminum alloys.
Aluminum's Useful Properties
Light
Aluminum is a very light metal with a specific gravity of 2.7, about one-third that of iron, which has a specific gravity of 7.8. In other words, if you create two objects of the same shape and volume, one out of aluminum and the other out of iron, the aluminum object will have a mass of about one-third of that of the iron object. Aluminum parts are thus lighter than iron parts of the same size and shape.
Strong
Aluminum has high specific strength (strength per unit weight) and is widely used in structural materials for transportation equipment and buildings.
Corrosion Resistant
Aluminum surfaces exposed to air form an oxide film. This film prevents corrosion, so rust inhibitors and other paints are usually not necessary.
Easy to Recycle
Aluminum has a much lower melting point than iron or copper, making it easier to recycle. Moreover, the energy required to produce secondary alloy ingots is only 3% of that required for new aluminum ingot production, despite the ingots being almost identical in quality.
Easy to Cast
Because aluminum has a low melting point, the metal flows easily, making it ideal to produce thin-walled or complexly shaped castings.
Easy Machining
Aluminum can be easily machined into various shapes because it does not return to its original configuration when deformed by force. In addition, finished products can readily be further machined in various ways, including precision surface machining.
Good Thermal Conduction
The thermal conductivity of aluminum is about three times that of iron. It conducts heat well and cools rapidly. This property makes it suitable for the heat dissipation fins and heat sinks of air conditioning and heating systems, engines components and other equipment.
Beautiful
Aluminum, which is already appealing in its bare form, becomes even more beautiful when anodic oxide coating or other surface treatments are applied. It is also possible to add color through dyeing or electrolytic coloring.
Non-Toxic and Odorless
Aluminum is non-toxic and odorless. Its widespread use in beverage cans and packaging for food, medicine and other products is due to its hygienic properties.
Light, Strong Aluminum Die Casting with Excellent Recyclability
Aluminum die casting uses high-strength aluminum alloys to which elements such as copper and magnesium are added to further enhance its strength and other properties. Light and strong aluminum die cast products help save weight in automobiles, which, in turn, improves fuel efficiency and electricity consumption.
Aluminum die casting also has excellent recyclability. The quality of products made from recyclable secondary alloys is almost identical to those made from raw, non-recycled materials.
98% of Materials Used by the Domestic Group Are Recycled
The raw materials the Ryobi Group in Japan uses to produce aluminum die castings comprise 98% recycled secondary alloys. Secondary alloy ingots can be produced with only 3% of the energy required to produce new aluminum ingots, which are extracted from an ore called bauxite.
Secondary alloys are recycled from a variety of aluminum scrap, including aluminum cans, automobile license plates and wheels, aluminum sashes and cooking pans used in homes and restaurants.
Group company Ikuno Co. manufactures secondary alloy ingots used by the Group. Secondary alloy ingots manufactured at Ikuno are transformed into top-quality die cast products at plants operated by our Group companies in Japan.
Ikuno Co.'s Hydroelectricity
Ikuno Co., which manufactures secondary alloy ingots, uses water from a nearby river to generate 40% to 50% of the electricity it uses. Using this clean energy helps reduce CO2 emissions.
SDGs Green Loan Financing
Loan amount: ¥13 billion
Loan period: 7 years from 2020
Ryobi procures the primary source of capital expenditure for environmental performance capital expenditure for the manufacture of aluminum die cast products through the SDGs Green Loan.
In procuring the bonds, we obtained the highest rating of "GA1" in the R&I Green Bond Assessment from Rating and Investment Information, Inc. Ryobi was recognized for its introduction of facilities with high environmental performance in the manufacture of aluminum die cast products and the contribution of aluminum die cast products to weight savings and improved fuel efficiency of automobiles.