Ford recycles as much as 20 million pounds of aluminium stamping scrap per month using the closed-loop system at Dearborn Truck Plant, which builds F-150. That is the equivalent of more than 30,000 F-150 bodies in the largest configuration – a SuperCrew body including doors, plus hood, tailgate and 6.5-foot cargo box.
Opting for aluminium over steel in new automobile construction is the best way to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions, according to Oak Ridge National Lab.
Recycled aluminium avoids 95% of the greenhouse gas emissions associated with primary aluminium production. It uses significantly less energy and water – another reason Ford F-150 leads the full-size truck pack in terms of lifetime carbon footprint, according to Automotive Science Group.
Weight savings from aluminium alloy helps F-150 reduce its lifetime emissions compared to the previous steel-body version. Between 30% and 40% of a typical aluminium coil is turned into scrap in the stamping process. This is recycled into new metal for the truck using the closed-loop system.
