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UK Gains Valuable
Aluminum Recycling Technology
12/05/2002
The University of Kentucky Research Foundation (UKRF) and Cargill, Incorporated have signed an agreement that transfers three patents from Cargill to UKRF. The patents cover methods to more efficiently recycle aluminum using salt flux technology. The objective of this technology is to provide a salt flux that will increase aluminum yield during the recycling process. The objective of this technology is to increase aluminum yield during the recycling process.
Cargill selected UKRF as the recipient of the patents due to the work done by the UK Center for Aluminum Technology (CAT) and its close working relationship with the aluminum industry throughout North America. The patents expand the research opportunities available to students and researchers at CAT. The patents also may be licensed to aluminum manufacturers, enabling the aluminum industry to improve aluminum recycling and reduce energy consumption. CAT will be directly involved in further research and development of the patented inventions.
CAT was created as a center in the UK College of Engineering with the support of the aluminum industry in the Ohio Valley Region and matching contributions from the state's Research Challenge Trust Fund. CAT is actively working with both the aluminum industry and federal agencies to improve aluminum manufacturing and recycling technology.
Cargill, Incorporated is an international marketer, processor and distributor of agricultural, food, financial and industrial products and services with 97,000 employees in 59 countries. The company provides distinctive customer solutions in supply chain management, food applications, and health and nutrition. Due to recent changes in its corporate structure and strategy, Cargill decided to search for an institution that would utilize the aluminum recycling patents.
Kentucky has the largest concentration of aluminum industry in the nation; 142 plants in the state employ more than 17,000 people in all aspects of the aluminum manufacturing process.
In addition to the many traditional uses of aluminum, aluminum is also gaining wider acceptance in the automotive industry, due to its light weight and the importance of weight reduction to decreasing fuel consumption. As a result of its close ties to the aluminum and automotive industries, UK is well positioned to encourage the use of aluminum in cars.
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