Aluminum foil is made from an aluminum alloy which contains between 92 and 99 percent aluminum. Usually between 0. and 0. inches thick, foil is produced in many widths and strengths for literally hundreds of applications. It is used to manufacture thermal insulation for the construction industry, fin stock for air conditioners, electrical coils for transformers, capacitors for radios and televisions, insulation for storage tanks, decorative products, and containers and packaging. The popularity of aluminum foil for so many applications is due to several major advantages, one of the foremost being that the raw materials necessary for its manufacture are plentiful. Aluminum foil is inexpensive, durable, non-toxic, and greaseproof. In addition, it resists chemical attack and provides excellent electrical and non-magnetic shielding.
Shipments (in ) of aluminum foil totaled 913 million pounds, with packaging representing seventy-five percent of the aluminum foil market. Aluminum foil's popularity as a packaging material is due to its excellent impermeability to water vapor and gases. It also extends shelf life, uses less storage space, and generates less waste than many other packaging materials. The preference for aluminum in flexible packaging has consequently become a global phenomenon. In Japan, aluminum foil is used as the barrier component in flexible cans. In Europe, aluminum flexible packaging dominates the market for pharmaceutical blister packages and candy wrappers. The aseptic drink box, which uses a thin layer of aluminum foil as a barrier against oxygen, light, and odor, is also quite popular around the world.
Aluminum is the most recently discovered of the metals that modern industry utilizes in large amounts. Known as "alumina," aluminum compounds were used to prepare medicines in ancient Egypt and to set cloth dyes during the Middle Ages. By the early eighteenth century, scientists suspected that these compounds contained a metal, and, in , the English chemist Sir Humphry Davy attempted to isolate it. Although his efforts failed, Davy confirmed that alumina had a metallic base, which he initially called "alumium." Davy later changed this to "aluminum," and, while scientists in many countries spell the term "aluminium," most Americans use Davy's revised spelling. In , a Danish chemist named Hans Christian Ørsted successfully isolated aluminum, and, twenty years later, a German physicist named Friedrich Wohler was able to create larger particles of the metal; however, Wohler's particles were still only the size of pinheads. In Henri Sainte-Claire Deville, a French scientist, refined Wohler's method enough to create aluminum lumps as large as marbles. Deville's process provided a foundation for the modern aluminum industry, and the first aluminum bars made were displayed in at the Paris Exposition.
At this point the high cost of isolating the newly discovered metal limited its industrial uses. However, in two scientists working separately in the United States and France concurrently developed what became known as the Hall-Héroult method of separating alumina from oxygen by applying an electrical current. While both Charles Hall and Paul-Louis-Toussaint Héroult patented their discoveries, in America and France respectively, Hall was the first to recognize the financial potential of his purification process. In
he and several partners founded the Pittsburgh Reduction Company, which produced the first aluminum ingots that year. Using hydroelectricity to power a large new conversion plant near Niagara Falls and supplying the burgeoning industrial demand for aluminum, Hall's company&#;renamed the Aluminum Company of America (Alcoa) in &#;thrived. Héroult later established the Aluminium-Industrie-Aktien-Gesellschaft in Switzerland. Encouraged by the increasing demand for aluminum during World Wars I and II, most other industrialized nations began to produce their own aluminum. In , France became the first country to produce foil from purified aluminum. The United States followed suit a decade later, its first use of the new product being leg bands to identify racing pigeons. Aluminum foil was soon used for containers and packaging, and World War II accelerated this trend, establishing aluminum foil as a major packaging material. Until World War II, Alcoa remained the sole American manufacturer of purified aluminum, but today there are seven major producers of aluminum foil located in the United States.
Aluminum numbers among the most abundant elements: after oxygen and silicon, it is the most plentiful element found in the earth's surface, making up over eight percent of the crust to a depth of ten miles and appearing in almost every common rock. However, aluminum does not occur in its pure, metallic form but rather as hydrated aluminum oxide (a mixture of water and alumina) combined with silica, iron oxide, and titania. The most significant aluminum ore is bauxite, named after the French town of Les Baux where it was discovered in . Bauxite contains iron and hydrated aluminum oxide, with the latter representing its largest constituent material. At present, bauxite is plentiful enough so that only deposits with an aluminum oxide content of forty-five percent or more are mined to make aluminum. Concentrated deposits are found in both the northern and southern hemispheres, with most of the ore used in the United States coming from the West Indies, North America, and Australia. Since bauxite occurs so close to the earth's surface, mining procedures are relatively simple. Explosives are used to open up large pits in bauxite beds, after which the top layers of dirt and rock are cleared away. The exposed ore is then removed with front end loaders, piled in trucks or railroad cars, and transported to processing plants. Bauxite is heavy (generally, one ton of aluminum can be produced from four to six tons of the ore), so, to reduce
the cost of transporting it, these plants are often situated as close as possible to the bauxite mines.
Extracting pure aluminum from bauxite entails two processes. First, the ore is refined to eliminate impurities such as iron oxide, silica, titania, and water. Then, the resultant aluminum oxide is smelted to produce pure aluminum. After that, the aluminum is rolled to produce foil.
In addition to in-process control of such parameters as temperature and time, the finished foil product must meet certain requirements. For instance, different converting processes and end uses have been found to require varying degrees of dryness on the foil surface for satisfactory performance. A wettability test is used to determine the dryness. In this test, different solutions of ethyl alcohol in distilled water, in increments of ten percent by volume, are poured in a uniform stream onto the foil surface. If no drops form, the wettability is zero. The process is continued until it is determined what minimum percent of alcohol solution will completely wet the foil surface.
Other important properties are thickness and tensile strength. Standard test methods have been developed by the American Society For Testing and Materials (ASTM). Thickness is determined by weighing a sample and measuring its area, and then dividing the weight by the product of the area times the alloy density. Tension testing of foil must be carefully controlled because test results can be affected by rough edges and the presence of small defects, as well as other variables. The sample is placed in a grip and a tensile or pulling force is applied until fracture of the sample occurs. The force or strength required to break the sample is measured.
The popularity of aluminum foil, especially for flexible packaging, will continue to grow. Four-sided, fin-sealed pouches have gained wide popularity for military, medical, and retail food applications and, in larger sizes, for institutional food service packs. Pouches have also been introduced for packaging 1.06 to 4.75 gallons (4-18 liters) of wine for both retail and restaurant markets, and for other food service markets. In addition, other products continue to be developed for other applications. The increase in popularity of microwave ovens has resulted in the development of several forms of aluminum-based semi-rigid containers designed specifically for these ovens. More recently, special cooking foils for barbecuing have been developed.
However, even aluminum foil is being scrutinized in regard to its environmental "friendliness." Hence, manufacturers are increasing their efforts in the recycling area; in fact, all U.S. foil producers have begun recycling programs even though aluminum foil's total tonnage and capture rate is much lower than that of the easy-to-recycle aluminum cans. Aluminum foil already has the advantage of being light and small, which helps reduce its contribution to the solid waste stream. In fact, laminated aluminum foil packaging represents just 17/lOOths of one percent of the U.S. solid waste.
For packaging waste, the most promising solution may be source reduction. For instance, packaging 65 pounds (29.51 kilograms) of coffee in steel cans requires 20 pounds (9.08 kilograms) of steel but only three pounds (4.08 kilograms) of laminated packaging including aluminum foil. Such packaging also takes up less space in the landfill. The Aluminum Association's Foil Division is even developing an educational program on aluminum foil for universities and professional packaging designers in order to help inform such designers of the benefits of switching to flexible packaging.
Aluminum foil also uses less energy during both manufacturing and distribution, with in-plant scrap being recycled. In fact, recycled aluminum, including cans and foil, accounts for over 30 percent of the industry's yearly supply of metal. This number has been increasing for several years and is expected to continue. In addition, processes used during foil manufacturing are being improved to reduce air pollution and hazardous waste.
Aluminum Foil. The Aluminum Association. .
"Barrier Qualities Stimulate Aluminum Foil Packaging Growth," FoilPak News. The Aluminum Association. Fall, .
"The Best Ways to Keep Food Fresh: A Roundup of the Most Effective and Most Economical Wraps, Bags, and Containers," Consumer Reports. February, , p. 120+.
Gracey, Kathryn K. "Aluminum in Microwaves," Consumers' Research Magazine. January, , p. 2.
"Promote Even Cookery with Foil," Southern Living. December, , pp. 130-131.
&#; L. S. Millberg
The new report conducted by Syndicated Analytics, titled "Aluminium Foil Manufacturing Plant Project Report Edition: Industry Analysis (Market Performance, Segments, Price Analysis, Outlook), Detailed Process Flow (Product Overview, Unit Operations, Raw Materials, Quality Assurance), Requirements and Cost (Machinery, Raw Materials, Packaging, Transportation, Utility, Human Resource), Project Economics (Capital Investments, Operating Costs, Profit Projections, Financial Analysis, Revenue), and Investment Opportunities," offers a comprehensive guide for establishing a manufacturing plant in the aluminium foil industry. It encompasses a wide-ranging market overview and delves into specific details such as unit operations, raw material requirements, utility needs, infrastructure prerequisites, machinery and technology specifications, workforce demands, packaging prerequisites, transportation logistics, and more.
Furthermore, this report delivers extensive insights into project economics, including capital investments, project financing, operating costs, income and expenditure forecasts, fixed versus variable expenses, direct and indirect outlays, expected return on investment (ROI), net present value (NPV), profit and loss analysis, and comprehensive financial assessment.
A. Introduction
Aluminium foil refers to a thin, flexible sheet made from aluminium alloy. It is produced through the rolling process, which flattens and stretches the aluminium into thin sheets. Aluminium foil is available in various types, including standard, heavy-duty, and extra-heavy-duty, each differing in thickness and strength to cater to specific needs. It exhibits unique properties, such as reflectivity, conductivity, non-toxic nature, and resistance to moisture, light, and certain chemicals. Aluminium foil is utilized in various sectors, such as food, pharmaceuticals, electronics, construction, transportation, solar panels, and arts and crafts. It offers numerous benefits, such as protection against light, oxygen, moisture, and bacteria, thermal insulation, energy conservation, flexibility, durability, and resistance to corrosion.
The increasing demand for aluminium foil in the packaging industry, due to the rise in consumerism and the expansion of the retail sector, is one of the major factors boosting the market growth. Moreover, the widespread product adoption for preserving food and pharmaceutical products, owing to its excellent barrier properties, is driving the market growth. Along with this, the growing awareness about sustainable packaging solutions, leading to the adoption of aluminium foil due to its recyclability and eco-friendliness, is bolstering the market growth. Additionally, the rising popularity of e-commerce and online food delivery services, amplifying the demand for aluminium foil in packaging, is catalyzing the market growth. Besides this, the increasing product demand in the construction industry for building insulation materials and assisting in energy conservation and temperature regulation are contributing to the market growth. Moreover, the widespread adoption of aluminium foil in the automotive sector for manufacturing heat shields and other components, driven by the need for lightweight and efficient materials, is creating a positive outlook for the market growth.
Furthermore, rapid innovations in rolling and finishing techniques, leading to the production of thinner, stronger, and more versatile aluminium foil variants, are anticipated to drive the market growth. Along with this, the increasing reliance of the pharmaceutical industry on aluminium foil for blister packs and strip packs, owing to its barrier and protection attributes, is acting as a growth-inducing factor. Moreover, the rising product application to ensure food safety and quality, due to its ability to maintain food hygiene and extend shelf life, is positively impacting the market growth.
While we have endeavored to create a comprehensive report, we acknowledge that each stakeholder may possess unique requirements. In light of this, we offer the option to customize the report to align with your specific needs. You can convey your business specifications to our consultants, and we will furnish you with a personalized scope tailored precisely to your requirements. Some of the common customizations that our clients often request include:
Aluminum foil is made from an aluminum alloy which contains between 92 and 99 percent aluminum. Usually between 0. and 0. inches thick, foil is produced in many widths and strengths for literally hundreds of applications. It is used to manufacture thermal insulation for the construction industry, fin stock for air conditioners, electrical coils for transformers, capacitors for radios and televisions, insulation for storage tanks, decorative products, and containers and packaging. The popularity of aluminum foil for so many applications is due to several major advantages, one of the foremost being that the raw materials necessary for its manufacture are plentiful. Aluminum foil is inexpensive, durable, non-toxic, and greaseproof. In addition, it resists chemical attack and provides excellent electrical and non-magnetic shielding.
Shipments (in ) of aluminum foil totaled 913 million pounds, with packaging representing seventy-five percent of the aluminum foil market. Aluminum foil's popularity as a packaging material is due to its excellent impermeability to water vapor and gases. It also extends shelf life, uses less storage space, and generates less waste than many other packaging materials. The preference for aluminum in flexible packaging has consequently become a global phenomenon. In Japan, aluminum foil is used as the barrier component in flexible cans. In Europe, aluminum flexible packaging dominates the market for pharmaceutical blister packages and candy wrappers. The aseptic drink box, which uses a thin layer of aluminum foil as a barrier against oxygen, light, and odor, is also quite popular around the world.
Aluminum is the most recently discovered of the metals that modern industry utilizes in large amounts. Known as "alumina," aluminum compounds were used to prepare medicines in ancient Egypt and to set cloth dyes during the Middle Ages. By the early eighteenth century, scientists suspected that these compounds contained a metal, and, in , the English chemist Sir Humphry Davy attempted to isolate it. Although his efforts failed, Davy confirmed that alumina had a metallic base, which he initially called "alumium." Davy later changed this to "aluminum," and, while scientists in many countries spell the term "aluminium," most Americans use Davy's revised spelling. In , a Danish chemist named Hans Christian Ørsted successfully isolated aluminum, and, twenty years later, a German physicist named Friedrich Wohler was able to create larger particles of the metal; however, Wohler's particles were still only the size of pinheads. In Henri Sainte-Claire Deville, a French scientist, refined Wohler's method enough to create aluminum lumps as large as marbles. Deville's process provided a foundation for the modern aluminum industry, and the first aluminum bars made were displayed in at the Paris Exposition.
At this point the high cost of isolating the newly discovered metal limited its industrial uses. However, in two scientists working separately in the United States and France concurrently developed what became known as the Hall-Héroult method of separating alumina from oxygen by applying an electrical current. While both Charles Hall and Paul-Louis-Toussaint Héroult patented their discoveries, in America and France respectively, Hall was the first to recognize the financial potential of his purification process. In
he and several partners founded the Pittsburgh Reduction Company, which produced the first aluminum ingots that year. Using hydroelectricity to power a large new conversion plant near Niagara Falls and supplying the burgeoning industrial demand for aluminum, Hall's company&#;renamed the Aluminum Company of America (Alcoa) in &#;thrived. Héroult later established the Aluminium-Industrie-Aktien-Gesellschaft in Switzerland. Encouraged by the increasing demand for aluminum during World Wars I and II, most other industrialized nations began to produce their own aluminum. In , France became the first country to produce foil from purified aluminum. The United States followed suit a decade later, its first use of the new product being leg bands to identify racing pigeons. Aluminum foil was soon used for containers and packaging, and World War II accelerated this trend, establishing aluminum foil as a major packaging material. Until World War II, Alcoa remained the sole American manufacturer of purified aluminum, but today there are seven major producers of aluminum foil located in the United States.
Aluminum numbers among the most abundant elements: after oxygen and silicon, it is the most plentiful element found in the earth's surface, making up over eight percent of the crust to a depth of ten miles and appearing in almost every common rock. However, aluminum does not occur in its pure, metallic form but rather as hydrated aluminum oxide (a mixture of water and alumina) combined with silica, iron oxide, and titania. The most significant aluminum ore is bauxite, named after the French town of Les Baux where it was discovered in . Bauxite contains iron and hydrated aluminum oxide, with the latter representing its largest constituent material. At present, bauxite is plentiful enough so that only deposits with an aluminum oxide content of forty-five percent or more are mined to make aluminum. Concentrated deposits are found in both the northern and southern hemispheres, with most of the ore used in the United States coming from the West Indies, North America, and Australia. Since bauxite occurs so close to the earth's surface, mining procedures are relatively simple. Explosives are used to open up large pits in bauxite beds, after which the top layers of dirt and rock are cleared away. The exposed ore is then removed with front end loaders, piled in trucks or railroad cars, and transported to processing plants. Bauxite is heavy (generally, one ton of aluminum can be produced from four to six tons of the ore), so, to reduce
the cost of transporting it, these plants are often situated as close as possible to the bauxite mines.
Extracting pure aluminum from bauxite entails two processes. First, the ore is refined to eliminate impurities such as iron oxide, silica, titania, and water. Then, the resultant aluminum oxide is smelted to produce pure aluminum. After that, the aluminum is rolled to produce foil.
In addition to in-process control of such parameters as temperature and time, the finished foil product must meet certain requirements. For instance, different converting processes and end uses have been found to require varying degrees of dryness on the foil surface for satisfactory performance. A wettability test is used to determine the dryness. In this test, different solutions of ethyl alcohol in distilled water, in increments of ten percent by volume, are poured in a uniform stream onto the foil surface. If no drops form, the wettability is zero. The process is continued until it is determined what minimum percent of alcohol solution will completely wet the foil surface.
Other important properties are thickness and tensile strength. Standard test methods have been developed by the American Society For Testing and Materials (ASTM). Thickness is determined by weighing a sample and measuring its area, and then dividing the weight by the product of the area times the alloy density. Tension testing of foil must be carefully controlled because test results can be affected by rough edges and the presence of small defects, as well as other variables. The sample is placed in a grip and a tensile or pulling force is applied until fracture of the sample occurs. The force or strength required to break the sample is measured.
The popularity of aluminum foil, especially for flexible packaging, will continue to grow. Four-sided, fin-sealed pouches have gained wide popularity for military, medical, and retail food applications and, in larger sizes, for institutional food service packs. Pouches have also been introduced for packaging 1.06 to 4.75 gallons (4-18 liters) of wine for both retail and restaurant markets, and for other food service markets. In addition, other products continue to be developed for other applications. The increase in popularity of microwave ovens has resulted in the development of several forms of aluminum-based semi-rigid containers designed specifically for these ovens. More recently, special cooking foils for barbecuing have been developed.
However, even aluminum foil is being scrutinized in regard to its environmental "friendliness." Hence, manufacturers are increasing their efforts in the recycling area; in fact, all U.S. foil producers have begun recycling programs even though aluminum foil's total tonnage and capture rate is much lower than that of the easy-to-recycle aluminum cans. Aluminum foil already has the advantage of being light and small, which helps reduce its contribution to the solid waste stream. In fact, laminated aluminum foil packaging represents just 17/lOOths of one percent of the U.S. solid waste.
For packaging waste, the most promising solution may be source reduction. For instance, packaging 65 pounds (29.51 kilograms) of coffee in steel cans requires 20 pounds (9.08 kilograms) of steel but only three pounds (4.08 kilograms) of laminated packaging including aluminum foil. Such packaging also takes up less space in the landfill. The Aluminum Association's Foil Division is even developing an educational program on aluminum foil for universities and professional packaging designers in order to help inform such designers of the benefits of switching to flexible packaging.
Aluminum foil also uses less energy during both manufacturing and distribution, with in-plant scrap being recycled. In fact, recycled aluminum, including cans and foil, accounts for over 30 percent of the industry's yearly supply of metal. This number has been increasing for several years and is expected to continue. In addition, processes used during foil manufacturing are being improved to reduce air pollution and hazardous waste.
Aluminum Foil. The Aluminum Association. .
Contact us to discuss your requirements of Series Aluminum Sheet. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.
"Barrier Qualities Stimulate Aluminum Foil Packaging Growth," FoilPak News. The Aluminum Association. Fall, .
"The Best Ways to Keep Food Fresh: A Roundup of the Most Effective and Most Economical Wraps, Bags, and Containers," Consumer Reports. February, , p. 120+.
Gracey, Kathryn K. "Aluminum in Microwaves," Consumers' Research Magazine. January, , p. 2.
"Promote Even Cookery with Foil," Southern Living. December, , pp. 130-131.
&#; L. S. Millberg
The new report conducted by Syndicated Analytics, titled "Aluminium Foil Manufacturing Plant Project Report Edition: Industry Analysis (Market Performance, Segments, Price Analysis, Outlook), Detailed Process Flow (Product Overview, Unit Operations, Raw Materials, Quality Assurance), Requirements and Cost (Machinery, Raw Materials, Packaging, Transportation, Utility, Human Resource), Project Economics (Capital Investments, Operating Costs, Profit Projections, Financial Analysis, Revenue), and Investment Opportunities," offers a comprehensive guide for establishing a manufacturing plant in the aluminium foil industry. It encompasses a wide-ranging market overview and delves into specific details such as unit operations, raw material requirements, utility needs, infrastructure prerequisites, machinery and technology specifications, workforce demands, packaging prerequisites, transportation logistics, and more.
Furthermore, this report delivers extensive insights into project economics, including capital investments, project financing, operating costs, income and expenditure forecasts, fixed versus variable expenses, direct and indirect outlays, expected return on investment (ROI), net present value (NPV), profit and loss analysis, and comprehensive financial assessment.
A. Introduction
Aluminium foil refers to a thin, flexible sheet made from aluminium alloy. It is produced through the rolling process, which flattens and stretches the aluminium into thin sheets. Aluminium foil is available in various types, including standard, heavy-duty, and extra-heavy-duty, each differing in thickness and strength to cater to specific needs. It exhibits unique properties, such as reflectivity, conductivity, non-toxic nature, and resistance to moisture, light, and certain chemicals. Aluminium foil is utilized in various sectors, such as food, pharmaceuticals, electronics, construction, transportation, solar panels, and arts and crafts. It offers numerous benefits, such as protection against light, oxygen, moisture, and bacteria, thermal insulation, energy conservation, flexibility, durability, and resistance to corrosion.
The increasing demand for aluminium foil in the packaging industry, due to the rise in consumerism and the expansion of the retail sector, is one of the major factors boosting the market growth. Moreover, the widespread product adoption for preserving food and pharmaceutical products, owing to its excellent barrier properties, is driving the market growth. Along with this, the growing awareness about sustainable packaging solutions, leading to the adoption of aluminium foil due to its recyclability and eco-friendliness, is bolstering the market growth. Additionally, the rising popularity of e-commerce and online food delivery services, amplifying the demand for aluminium foil in packaging, is catalyzing the market growth. Besides this, the increasing product demand in the construction industry for building insulation materials and assisting in energy conservation and temperature regulation are contributing to the market growth. Moreover, the widespread adoption of aluminium foil in the automotive sector for manufacturing heat shields and other components, driven by the need for lightweight and efficient materials, is creating a positive outlook for the market growth.
Furthermore, rapid innovations in rolling and finishing techniques, leading to the production of thinner, stronger, and more versatile aluminium foil variants, are anticipated to drive the market growth. Along with this, the increasing reliance of the pharmaceutical industry on aluminium foil for blister packs and strip packs, owing to its barrier and protection attributes, is acting as a growth-inducing factor. Moreover, the rising product application to ensure food safety and quality, due to its ability to maintain food hygiene and extend shelf life, is positively impacting the market growth.
While we have endeavored to create a comprehensive report, we acknowledge that each stakeholder may possess unique requirements. In light of this, we offer the option to customize the report to align with your specific needs. You can convey your business specifications to our consultants, and we will furnish you with a personalized scope tailored precisely to your requirements. Some of the common customizations that our clients often request include:
Are you interested in learning more about Aluminum Bus Bar? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!