Abstract : Optimized lightweight manufacturing of parts is crucial for automotive and aeronautical industries in order to stay competitive and to reduce costs and fuel consumption. Hence, aluminium becomes an unquestionable material choice regarding these challenges. Nevertheless, using only virgin aluminium is not satisfactory since its extraction requires high use of energy and effort, and its manufacturing has high environmental impact. For these reasons, the use of recycled aluminium alloys is recommended considering their properties meet the expected technical and environmental added-values. This requires complete reengineering of the classical life cycle of aluminium-based products and the collaboration practices in the global supply chain. Results from several interdependent disciplines need all to be taken into account for a global product/process optimization. Towards achieving this, a method for sustainability assessment integration into product lifecycle management and a platform for lifecycle simulation integrating environmental concerns, are proposed in this paper. The platform may be used as a decision support system in early product design phase by simulating the lifecycle of a product (from material selection to production and recycling phases) and calculating its impact on the environment.
