The Sustainability Benefits of Aluminium Anodising

Aluminium is an extraordinary substance with an incredible life span, natural corrosion inhibitors, and lightweight and versatile properties.

Almost all architectural aluminium is finished in some form. Why? Finishes for aluminium deliver design aesthetics, colour and protection.

Benefits of aluminium for architecture and the built environment

• Durability
  • The initial carbon cost of producing aluminium is significant. The use of renewable energy now makes low-carbon aluminium available.
  • The durability of the coating will determine the service life with immense benefits for action on climate change and sustainability.
• Recyclable aspects
  • Aluminium is endlessly recyclable
• Whole-of-life sustainability
• Lightness with strength
  • Aluminium is a lightweight metal with a high level of strength. It’s strong enough to support a range of structural applications, including windows, facades, roofing, and cladding.
• Efficiency
  • Due to its resistance to corrosion, aluminium requires less maintenance over its lifespan compared to materials like steel, reducing long-term upkeep costs.
  • When exposed to air, aluminium forms a protective oxide layer on its surface, which makes it highly resistant to corrosion. This allows aluminium to maintain its appearance and structural integrity in diverse environments, including coastal areas.
• Economical
  • Aluminium’s natural resistance to corrosion means that it does not require frequent repainting or repairs, unlike other materials, such as steel, which rusts and needs more maintenance.
  • Due to its durability and resistance to the elements, aluminium has a long service life. This means fewer replacements and repairs over time, which can result in significant savings for building owners.

There are several ways to finish aluminium. This blog focuses on anodising and highlights why it is an ideal choice, offering quality, durability, sustainability, and, of course, beautiful aesthetics.

What is Anodising?

Anodising is an all-electric transformation of the aluminium surface. It’s immensely durable in even the harshest environments while maintaining the beauty and natural metallic lustre of aluminium.

Because anodising transforms an aluminium surface, it is a fully integrated finish that does not flake, peel, or blister like coatings.

It only uses electricity passed through an electrolytic solution. No paints, powders or petrochemical-based products are added.

Anodising wins on whole-of-life sustainability – it has a lower initial carbon impact than powders, the longest serviceable life, and the lowest recycling cost.

Not all anodising is created equal.

By controlling treatment to our explicit conditions, the AAF Evershield^® anodising finish achieves exceptional hardness and durability, exceeding the AAMA 611 and AS1231 performance standards. Further, employing ‘True Metal’ colouring, our Evershield^® finishes deliver extreme UV resistance.

These factors deliver the performance backbone to Evershield^®, and this is why we are so confident in providing industry-leading performance warranties for your project. Evershield^® is designed to withstand the test of time and has warranties of up to 30 years.

• Extensive experience
  For almost 50 years, AAF has been passionate about developing a world-class anodising process. Our finishing services are based on best practices from around the world.
• Specifiers and process controls for each project
  All three plants are independently audited for process control, ensuring the highest quality, consistency and continuous improvement.

• Anodising accreditation
  AAF Evershield^® Anodising is accredited by The Australian Institute of Surface Finishing with QUALI-SURE.
• Proven success across hundreds of nationally significant projects
  The durability of Evershield^® anodising ensures the architect’s design integrity will be endured for the life of the building.
  Evershield^® is seen on some of Australia’s most iconic buildings, including the Sydney Cricket Ground and Federation Square in Melbourne.

Sydney Cricket Ground

Architect: Bates Smart
Builder: Townsend Group
Products: AAF Evershield^® Jamaican Chocolate

Federation Square

Architect: Lab Architecture Studio & Bates Smart
Builder: Multiplex
Fabricator: Minesco Industries & ASK Aluminium

AAF Evershield^® Colour Collection

The AAF Terra Rossa Colour Collection

Anodising Sustainability

When using non-renewable energy, anodising produces 6.42 units of CO2 emissions per tonne of surface-coated aluminium. By comparison, polyester powder coating results in 62% greater emissions due to the significant energy required for the powders.

AAF Evershield^® is on a path towards net-zero emissions. With the adoption of renewable energy, Evershield^® anodising will become an even more compelling choice for those prioritising sustainability and low emissions.

Numerous studies have been conducted into the life of anodised finishing.

A landmark study conducted by Professor Michael Stacey, a sustainability expert and award-winning architect, reviewed 50 leading architectural examples of buildings using aluminium dating back to its first use.

Oxford University

Oxford University’s “New Bodleian” Weston Windows showed “A great example of sustainability solutions and the planet.” Constructed in 1940, it was the second-ever use of anodising in the building world. Remarkably, when the building was undergoing refurbishment in 2011, the design team decided to reuse the original window frames, which have an overall life expectancy of 135 years!

Photo: Wikimedia, 2011

Guys Hospital, London

Built in 1971, Guy’s Hospital was the tallest hospital of its time. It was reclad with grey anodised panels over the old concrete façade and has an 80-year warranty.

Image Source: Kafften Limited, Refurbishers, London

ICI House, Melbourne

Constructed in 1950, ICI House was a revolutionary design in Australia with a clear anodised aluminium façade. Now heritage-listed, the building is 69 years old. Initial testing showed that the original thickness had been maintained in some areas.

Free Continual Professional Development (CPD) Webinar

AAF has just launched a new CPD that examines the environmental benefits of anodising as a protective and decorative architectural finish.

The CPD is titled ‘Meeting Architectural Design Goals for Finishing Aluminium’. It’s designed to help you achieve your architectural design goals for aluminium finishes while minimising environmental impacts.

The online session contributes to your CPD points and is free at CPD Live.

About Australian Aluminium Finishing

Australian Aluminium Finishing (AAF) is Australia’s largest independent aluminium finisher. We operate three plants in Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane. Incorporating 11 production facilities that provide the highest quality anodising, woodgrain, and powder coating finishes for architectural aluminium throughout Australia and Southeast Asia.

With a rich history spanning nearly fifty years, AAF was established with a clear vision of specialisation and excellence in surface finishing. This unwavering vision continues to be the cornerstone of our operations.

Today, AAF is regarded as the expert in aluminium finishing throughout Australia. 

Contact us to see how we can help your business today.