It’s a real change of culture for G. Pivaudran! The France-based company, which has established a reputation by working with high-purity aluminium, has starter a series of technical tests to understand what proportion of recycled aluminium could be used for stamping metalling parts for the luxury packaging markets.
In theory, aluminium is infinitely recyclable. However, the use of recycled qualities in the luxury sector faces several challenges.
The technical tests already carried out by G. Pivaudran on aesthetic treatments show it is possible to achieve very good results for matt and satin effects. "However, we still have a lot of R&D work to do in order to adapt our processes to obtain better glossy effects," explains Hervé Delaigue, Sales & Business Development Director.
Another challenge concerns mechanical qualities of aluminium. The company has planned further tests to adapt its know-how in stamping to recycled aluminium.
As far as brands are concerned, there is a clear desire to go further in the development of products incorporating more recycled materials. However, given the aesthetic differences that remain, it is difficult to consider replacing pure aluminium by recycled qualities for products already launched. "The results we achieved with recycled aluminium can nevertheless be very interesting for new projects that, from the outset, are designed with a strong ambition for sustainability," added Hervé Delaigue.
Of course, G. Pivaudran’s environmental commitment is not limited to these technical tests. The company has implemented a responsible policy regarding waste management, both at the production level and in the administrative offices. Moreover, in four years, the company reduced its energy consumption by 30% and divided its water consumption by two.
"Today, we collect and recycle or reuse all of our production waste and we are proud of that," said Marc Pivaudran, President of the company.
