"For every one tonne of aluminium that replaces steel, 20 tonnes of carbon dioxide are saved across the life cycle of a motor vehicle. That's enormous," Hooper said, citing an example used by an aluminium producer.

Aluminium is lighter and heats up faster, making engines more efficient. Auto makers are also under pressure to use more recyclable materials such as aluminium.

"I do see an increasing use of aluminium in automotive engines and probably in bodies of cars, mainly because of the requirement to reduce petrol consumption."

Alumasc provides aluminium products for engines at German auto maker BMW and British luxury car maker Aston Martin is a new customer.

The company used to provide aluminium components to Britain's MG Rover, which collapsed in 2005, but has had to look elsewhere since for the order shortfall.

"Rover at one stage was one of our biggest customers, Hooper said. "We're at the start of some projects in the United States and Europe which could run for five to 10 years, it will give us reasonably good visibility."

New customers include U.S-based construction and mining equipment maker Caterpillar British construction machinery group JCB and Germany's diesel engine company Deutz.

GREEN ROOFS

The company's exports have grown to 28 percent from 13 percent in 2001. Much of the growth has come from diesel engine components and building products in high value niche markets.

"Our focus on sustainable products is increasing," Hooper said. The company's roofing products are typical examples.

"Green roofs are basically flat roofs with a mixture of soil, crushed brick on a drainage layer and plants ... You are in some cases putting lawns and gardens on roofs, which sounds very simple, but is actually a hi-tech operation."

Companies interested in cutting heating and air conditioning costs use such roofs as they help keep buildings cooler in the summer and warmer in winter.

"They also help to reduce pollution because they filter out dust and smog particles, and help reduce carbon emissions and reduce noise," Hooper said.

"In the case of storms, they stop flash flooding into the drainage system as the roofs will hold the water and allow it to flow out more slowly."

Alumasc has provided a 40,000 square metre green roof for UK car maker Rolls-Royce, a subsidiary of BMW.

"It's probably the biggest green roof in the UK," Hooper said. "I believe there are seven pairs of nesting skylarks on it."

Alumasc recently acquired Levolux, a supplier of solar shading systems for 13.5 million pounds, to boost its sustainable building products business.

The external shades are used to control the exposure of buildings to sunlight. They are increasingly specified in new buildings and refurbishment projects to improve energy efficiency.