Secat

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SECAT - the South East Center for Aluminum Technology - is the primary research facility for the aluminium industry, based in Kentucky, USA (the center of the USA's aluminium industry with 142 aluminium facilities)[1]. Its activities cover materials testing, business analysis, new product design and environmental/ecological analysis of aluminium. Secat has been key in providing the evidence behind the aluminium industry's claims to be a 'sustainable metal' that is part of the solution to climate change, not part of the problem. [2]

Dominating the environmental discourse on aluminium

Secat publish its research through the Department of Energy, Light Metals magazine (with whom it is affiliated) and other academic journals such as Minerals, Metals & Materials Society.[3]

As well as industrial research into the properties and applications of the metal, increasing importance has been placed on creating a green image for aluminium which will allow the industry to grow despite climate change legislation which should necessitate cuts in this energy intensive and polluting metal. For this reason Secat, along with the European Aluminium Association and other international aluminium bodies have headed up research into Life Cycle Assessment for metals, attempting to show that aluminium can be used to save carbon in vehicles and other applications due to its light weight compared to steel. The most prominent author in this area is Subodh Das, ex-Secat president, and previously researcher for ARCO Aluminium and Alcoa.[4]

However, the 'light car' technology is not as foolproof as Secat has attempted to present, as Mercedez Benzspokeswoman Edith Meissner notes when asked about lighter aluminium cars:

"It [aluminium] is very complex to produce and difficult to process." "In the current environmental discussion, it should not be forgotten that it takes a lot of energy to produce aluminium."[5]

A critique of aluminium Life Cycle Assessment promoted by Secat can be found at the European Aluminium Association page.

History

Affiliations

National Laboratories

To boost its resources and reputation, Secat works with the Department of Energy National Laboratories "to bring these national intellectual treasures to U.S. aluminium companies, enabling them to compete in the global market."[6]

Secat has 'Memoranda of Understanding and Work for Others' agreements in place with several USA National Laboratories, covering intellectual property and business arrangements. These laboratories have been identified as having specific equipment and staff expertise of value to the aluminium industry.[7]

Government bodies

Universities/research bodies

Organisations

Principle Customers

Clients are some of the major companies from the aluminium industry as well as oil, coolants, construction, chemicals, automotive, consulting and electrical industries. They include:

People

Board of Directors

Staff


Funding

Clients

Publications

Contact

1505 Bull Lea Road Lexington, KY 40511

  • TEL: (859) 514-4989
  • FAX: (859) 514-4988
  • info@secat.net

Resources

Notes

  1. ↑ Secat homepage About, overview Accessed 14/05/10
  2. ↑ Secat homepage Accessed 14/05/10
  3. ↑ Secat homepage Aluminium Answers, Resources Accessed 14/05/10
  4. ↑ Secat homepage Aluminium Answers, Resources Accessed 14/05/10
  5. ↑ Jens Meiners, 2007. 'New CO2 rules to help aluminium makers; Study credits big cut in greenhouse gas to increased use of metal', Automotive News Europe, February 19, 2007
  6. ↑ Secat homepage Affiliates, national laboratories Accessed 14/05/10
  7. ↑ Secat homepage Affiliates, national laboratories Accessed 14/05/10
  8. ↑ Secat homepage Affiliates, national laboratories Accessed 14/05/10
  9. ↑ Secat homepage Affiliates, Government bodies Accessed 14/05/10
  10. ↑ Secat homepage Affiliates, Universities Accessed 14/05/10
  11. ↑ Secat homepage Affiliates, Organisations Accessed 14/05/10
  12. ↑ Secat homepage Customers Accessed 14/05/10
  13. ↑ Secat homepage Board of Directors Accessed 14/05/10
  14. ↑ Secat homepage Aluminium Answers, Resources Accessed 14/05/10
  15. ↑ Secat homepage Staff Accessed 14/05/10
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