MATERIALS

METAL OF THE FUTURE

Green Economy Journal interviews the CEO of AFSA

Aluminium is setting its stage as a major player in the green economy: curating the circular economy and curbing the impact of climate change. This green metal is gaining traction across many sectors as it is infinitely recyclable. Muzi Manzi, CEO of AFSA, tells us more.

GEJ: Please tell us about the Aluminium Federation of South Africa.

Muzi Manzi: The Aluminium Federation of South Africa (AFSA) is the voice and the gateway of the industry. It consists of approximately 80 members who are both national and international companies, involved in the production, distribution, fabrication and use of aluminium. The Federation promotes the use and the growth of this green metal. Members are provided with technical services, so that they are well-informed and make suitable choices with regard to the material.

Why should South Africa have an aluminium industry?

The aluminium industry contributes and forms a very critical part of the economy. Aluminium demand is inevitably expected to increase within the coming years. It is considered the top metal of choice for many different sectors. Apart from revenue generation, it contributes to job creation. South Africa has the potential of becoming a major net exporter of aluminium in the future.

Why is aluminium known as the material of the future?

By virtue of it being recyclable. Most of the aluminium that was made long ago is still in use today and it is still to be used in the future. It is known to have been recycled over 100 years and almost exists everywhere, even in subtle ways. Aluminium is a material of the future because of its sustainability and exceptional properties such as high electrical and thermal conductivity, ductility, high corrosion resistance, high strengthto-weight ratio and formability. Globally, it has continued to expand in tonnage over the years and is expected to increase in the future.

Please provide an outline of South Africa’s Aluminium Industry Roadmap that was developed in 2017.

The roadmap is a blueprint adopted by the South African aluminium industry and government to develop the sector by leveraging the potential the metal holds as a preferred metal for the manufacturing of vehicles, construction and packaging material. The use of aluminium in both internal combustion and electric vehicles has been growing and is expected to increase due to the metal’s lightweight properties. We have also seen a sustained growth towards the use of aluminium beverage and food packaging globally and locally.

Close to 75% of the aluminium ever produced is still in use today, in one form or another.

What are the current drivers and opportunities for aluminium? And the barriers?

The current drivers for aluminium, amongst many others, are the packaging industry, the building and construction industry, as well as the automotive industry. There are significant opportunities in the automotive industry due to the development of electric vehicles and demand for light-weight vehicles. The demand for the development of new technologies is the driving force for aluminium. One of the barriers continues to be the high energy costs required.

Aluminium is an “energy bank”, recovering most of its original input each time the product is recycled.

Increased local production will result in a bigger volume of scrap, which AFSA can grow a circular economy from. How so?

The reprocessing of aluminium scrap requires only 7% of the energy required for primary aluminium production. Considering that close to 75% of the aluminium ever produced is still in use today, in one form or another, the metal is a major contributor to resource efficiency. Aluminium is one of the few metals that can be recycled infinitely without it losing its properties. This means, a fledged aluminium production facility can operate by only recycling scrap without the need for primary metal. It is through the increased use of aluminium scrap that the industry can contribute towards net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 as the global aluminium sector has committed.

What are AFSA’s medium-term prospects in terms of the country’s transportation sector?

With the ever-increasing cost of fuel, the transport sector is encouraged to adopt the use of aluminium in the manufacturing of trailers and other autobody parts for more payloads without the risk of overloading. There are several AFSA members who can supply into this sector to alleviate the burden posed by exorbitant fuel costs. The industry currently supplies aluminium parts and components to the automotive industry, and with the increased demand for local materials, AFSA members are poised to maximise collaboration with the Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) in order to identify further opportunities to increase supply.

Please expand on the urbanisation trends that hold high potential for more aluminium in smart and green buildings.

Aluminium as a construction material for façades, windows, fittings and glass enclosures is unrivalled. Smart cities and green buildings are highly aluminium intensive based on the material’s contribution towards building climate control capabilities in comparison to other materials.

What role will aluminium play in revolutionising South Africa’s clean energy markets?

The industry aims to supply aluminium extrusions and clamps into the renewable energy projects so that these materials are not imported from abroad while accumulating greenhouse gases before they are even installed on our shores. We can only contribute toward the greening of the electricity grid by ensuring that we source construction materials in close proximity to the projects, and the South African aluminium industry has the capacity and capability to meet the demand of renewable energy projects.

CAREER BIOGRAPHY

2018 – present : Chief Executive Officer | AFSA 1996-2010: Various managerial positions | Eskom 2010-2018: Director: non-ferrous metals | the dti As CEO, Muzi Manzi is responsible for the management and governance of AFSA. He is also a member of its board of directors and is tasked with the implementation of the South African Aluminium Industry Roadmap. One of the roadmap’s deliverables is to expand the federation’s drive to position the local industry as a formidable and significant producer and supplier of aluminium in South Africa, the rest of the African continent and other markets beyond the continent.

Manzi has a qualification in Metallurgical Engineering and an MBA together with extensive industry-specific experience in policy development and stakeholder engagement.

THOUGHT [ECO]NOMY

greeneconomy/report recycle THE SOUTH AFRICAN ALUMINIUM INDUSTRY ROADMAP | Department of Science

and Technology | CSIR [March 2017]

The country has been involved in building its aluminium industry for over 70 years. The future of the industry depends on the new market requirements that are absorbing aluminium in a myriad of products, driven by the consumer revolution. The industry has the potential to create employment, attract significant foreign exchange earnings and develop the economy. This industry-level roadmap is intended to guide strategy and action in taking the aluminium industry into the future. AFSA is the custodian of this living document.