Lead: the Reusable Raw Material - Too Valuable for Disposal

With the price of raw materials - especially metals - continuously rising, the economic case for using valuable materials as efficiently as possible is now overwhelming. In this context, product life cycle management is of central importance.

Not only the cost and lifespan of a material but also the efficiency and cost of the recycling process significantly contribute to the life cycle assessment of raw materials.

An efficient product life cycle is an important indicator of the future viability of a raw material. No material has better credentials than sheet lead in this regard.

A long lifetime, a high secondary value, efficient recovery and a low recycling cost make lead sheet a material of the future.

Recovery: Systems for 'closed loop' product management are only just developing in many industry sectors. In contrast, the lead sheet industry is several steps ahead.

Well-established retrieval and collection systems already exist for lead sheet, and have been operational in many European countries for a number of years. As a result sheet lead is almost never discarded in a land-fill, but is almost entirely recovered for recycling.

Recycling: Recycling is constantly gaining in importance for both economic and environmental reasons. The recycling of used materials is rapidly gaining support as an alternative to disposal and the consumption of more primary raw materials. Lead sheet is a frontrunner in recycling. 'Over 90 percent of the lead sheet sold in Europe comes from recycled material, and 99 percent of used lead sheet is recycled,' emphasises Terry Boon, Board Member of the European Lead Sheet Industry Association (ELSIA). In theory sheet lead's product life cycle can be repeated without limit: no loss of quality is incurred, regardless of how often or how long the metal has previously been used. In addition, lead's low melting point makes recycling extremely cost effective.

These aspects make lead sheet a model reusable raw material. Tradesmen can profit from this, particularly during times of very high raw material prices.

About ELSIA:
The European Lead Sheet Industry Association (ELSIA) is the central trade association of the European lead sheet manufacturing industry. All members work to an established EN standard that guarantees the highest level of product quality. ELSIA is committed to funding long-term research and development to ensure that its products are environmentally sound. The members take a modern, responsible attitude to the health and safety of stakeholders and the environment.

Web: http://www.elsia.eu