Aluminium dross a once-ignored by-product of the aluminium industry, is now stepping into the spotlight. Formed as a thin, skin-like layer on molten aluminium during melting and processing, dross is the result of natural surface oxidation. For years, it was treated as industrial waste, routinely dumped into landfills. This not only posed serious environmental hazards but also led to the loss of valuable aluminium and other materials locked within the dross.
But times have changed. Today, with sustainability high on the industry’s agenda, dross is no longer an afterthought. It’s become a focal point in the push toward a circular aluminium economy. Thanks to cutting-edge technologies, recovery rates now exceed 95 per cent, turning what was once a liability into a high-value resource. Aluminium dross processing is no longer just a technical detail it’s a game-changer in the industry’s green transition.
Infact, in 2024, the aluminium industry generated approximately 4.78 million tonnes of dross. Of this, an estimated 3.5 million tonnes were recovered and processed—either within the in-house facilities of aluminium producers or through third-party recycling operations. This recovery effort yielded around 1.12 million tonnes of aluminium, highlighting the growing effectiveness and value of modern dross processing technologies. AL Circle’s comprehensive industry-focused market research report, “Aluminium Dross Processing: A Global Review” speaks indepth about the aluminium dross industry in details. Grab your copy now !