May 2022 Volume 4

MATERIALS

Living Document The roadmap was created as a living document by design, to be revisited and reevaluated as shifts in the market occur over the next decade. Key megatrends identified in the roadmap will remain, notably an urgent call for electrification in an era of climate action will be something on the minds of the industry’s thought leaders well into the future. Through every shift, the aluminum industry remains agile and ready to meet the needs of the evolving market. The roadmap lays a foundation for the industry to grow and diversify, and the Aluminum Association will work closely with all stakeholders to evaluate progress and adjust where necessary. The aluminum industry is poised to take advantage of the wealth of opportunities as the industry shifts to widespread BEV adoption and lasting changes in the mobility landscape. Automotive manufacturers must continue to innovate and explore new solutions for high value, better performing, and more efficient vehicles. Aluminum is central to deliver on those needs, and work in tandem with all stakeholders to build better vehicles, which are good for automakers, good for consumers, and good for the environment. This is a dynamic time for the industry. Aluminum producers are united in their common goal to move the needle forward for the future of sustainable transportation. While there is some uncertainty to what the future holds, we know there is a need now more than ever for the full automotive value chain to remain focused on technological progress to continue the transition to clean mobility solutions that are safe, efficient, and stylish. Aluminum is the adaptable material of choice for current vehicles, and the roadmap serves as a launchpad for broader conversations to drive forward R&D in the automotive market. There’s great opportunity for continued collaboration and co-engineering to come. John Weritz Vice President, Standards and Technology The Aluminum Association Phone: 703-358-2989 Email: jweritz@aluminum.org

WhereWe’re Headed Recognizing a tectonic shift in the automotive landscape, the Aluminum Association worked with industry stakeholders to develop the 2022 Roadmap for Auto Aluminum. This document is a collaborative blueprint which identifies R&D goals to advance aluminum production for the next decade. The purpose of the roadmap is to detail, at every step of the value chain, solutions for the next decade of automotive products. The aluminum industry identifies several sustainable pathways forward–collaboration to optimize vehicle systems, technologies to predict alloy properties, processes to consolidate parts for efficiency in design of future vehicles, and the expansion of recycling and sorting processes for a more environmentally-sound manufacturing ecosystem. All future work by the Aluminum Association’s Transportation Group (ATG) will center around the roadmap.

Photo credit: Commonwealth Rolled Products

FIA MAGAZINE | MAY 2022 39