Remelting is the core step of aluminium recycling. Scrap, returns and ingot are charged into reverberatory, rotary, induction or crucible furnaces. The melt is skimmed of dross, treated with fluxes, degassed to remove hydrogen, and its chemistry corrected with primary metal, silicon and master alloys. It is then cast into alloy ingots, billets, slabs or deoxidiser shapes. Remelting needs only a small fraction of the energy of primary smelting.
Why it matters when buying
- Scrap choice sets the result: clean, sorted scrap gives higher recovery and predictable chemistry.
- Furnace type suits different feeds: rotary furnaces with salt flux handle dross and thin scrap, while reverberatory furnaces suit clean, heavy scrap.
- Ask remelters about melt treatment and testing; it shows in the quality of their secondary ingots.
- Emission controls and pollution board consents are part of supplier due diligence.
Notes
Remelting is the basis for recycled-content and low-carbon claims. See starting an aluminium recycling business in India and sell aluminium scrap.