Aluminium,

the base metal

FOR the green transition

The European Aluminium Summit will bring together over 300 decision-makers from across Europe’s aluminium value chain—including producers, recyclers, market analysts, policymakers, end-users, and innovators—for a day of focused discussion on the sector’s most urgent challenges and emerging opportunities.

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Join 300+ aluminium decision makers at the European Aluminium Summit on 18 November in Skyhall, Brussels!

Our Aluminium Action Plan outlines 6 essential steps for a competitive European industry.

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Discover our Aluminium Action Plan for a competitive European industry

Read our strategy and policy recommendations for reaching net-zero emissions across our full value chain.

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Net-Zero by 2050: Science-Based Decarbonisation Pathways for the European Aluminium Industry

Aluminium, Anything but basic!

€

40

B

Annual Turnover (2018)

3

x

Lower carbon footprint of primary production compared to China

1

M

Direct and indirect jobs across the whole value chain

60

Days

for an aluminium can to go from your bin to being recycled into a new can

66000

KG

the amount of aluminium in a Boeing-747 airplane

Focus on

Our Sustainability Agenda

Read all about the aluminium industry’s collective journey to more sustainable production, consumption and recycling.

Our Sustainability Agenda

Our Sustainability Roadmap outlines our commitments to accelerating the green transition.

Aluminium in Solar

Did you know aluminium is both an enabler and a consumer of solar power?

Aluminium in Solar

Discover how the aluminium and solar industries can work together to bolster the broad roll-out of solar photovoltaic production in Europe.

Minerals for Climate Action (World Bank)

The report cites the “critical demand” for aluminium, which is used widely for both energy generation and storage technologies.

Minerals for Climate Action (World Bank)

In this report on the mineral intensity of the clean energy transition, the World Bank identifies aluminium as a “high impact, cross-cutting mineral” without substitution options.

Environmental Profile Reports

Our report covers the environmental impact of the entire aluminium value chain in Europe.

Environmental Profile Reports

Our Environmental Profile Reports provide data on the aluminium industry’s environmental performance for its key process steps across the entire value chain.

News & Events

New G7 Study Exposes How Chinese Subsidies Undermine Global Aluminium Markets

A new one-pager developed for the 2025 G7 highlights how massive Chinese state subsidies continue to distort the global aluminium market, placing European and global producers at a serious disadvantage. Drawing on OECD data, the paper reveals how non-market practices fuel overcapacity, disrupt fair competition, and increase carbon emissions. The document calls on G7 governments to strengthen trade enforcement, remove barriers to clean production, and boost recycling to ensure a level playing field and safeguard strategic industries..

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Press Release: European Aluminium Denounces U.S. Doubling of Tariffs on Aluminium and Warns of Imminent Scrap Crisis

European Aluminium strongly condemns the U.S. administration’s decision to raise Section 232 tariffs on aluminium imports from 25% to 50%. This escalation risks destabilising transatlantic trade, disrupting established supply chains, and triggering a surge in aluminium scrap outflows from Europe—further distorting an already fragile global trade environment.

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European Aluminium Summit Officially Launched!

The European Aluminium Summit will gather over 300 leaders from across the aluminium value chain for a full day of strategic dialogue on the industry's most pressing challenges and emerging opportunities. Organised by European Aluminium, the event will address market disruptions, evolving EU policies, supply chain transparency, and the growing role of aluminium in driving sustainable innovation. This is the key moment for Europe’s aluminium community to connect, align, and shape the future of the sector.

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Press Release: New Study on CBAM Impact on Alumina & Scrap Markets Confirms CBAM Design Flaws

A new third-party study by Ramboll Management Consulting, commissioned by European Aluminium, warns that the current CBAM design could accelerate carbon leakage in the aluminium sector. The study analyses the mechanism’s impact on alumina and aluminium scrap markets—two key materials currently excluded from CBAM—amid the Commission’s review to expand its scope and tackle circumvention. The findings align with concerns raised by several MEPs calling for a pause in CBAM implementation for aluminium until critical issues are addressed.

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Joint Statement: Improve the Reuse and High-Quality Recycling of Materials and Components from End-of-Life Vehicles

In light of the European Commission’s July 2023 proposal to revise and merge key vehicle and waste directives, the signatories of this joint statement call on co-legislators to better align the new Regulation on End-of-Life Vehicles with the Waste Hierarchy. Strengthening reuse and high-quality recycling is essential to reduce the environmental impact of the automotive sector, boost the circular economy, and increase the availability of secondary raw materials—supporting the EU’s strategic autonomy and sustainability goals.

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Position Paper: European Aluminium’s Response to the Commission’s CBAM Simplification Proposal

European Aluminium highlights key concerns regarding the Commission’s CBAM simplification proposal. While simplification is needed to improve workability, it must not undermine the competitiveness of European aluminium. CBAM remains an ineffective carbon leakage measure for aluminium, and its current design poses significant challenges for the industry.

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Position Paper: CBAM - An Ineffective Carbon Leakage Protection Measure for Aluminium in Need of Urgent Reform

CBAM presents significant challenges for the European aluminium sector, an electro-intensive, price-taking industry in highly competitive global markets, with over 50% of demand met through imports. Under the current CBAM design, non-European producers will benefit from various options to reduce their border costs. Despite planned improvements, the European aluminium industry remains convinced that CBAM will increase, rather than prevent, carbon leakage.

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Position Paper: A Strategy for the Long-Term Availability and Quality of Aluminium Scrap in Europe

Aluminium is a strategic raw material, and ensuring a stable, high-quality supply of scrap is essential for Europe’s recycling production. In this position paper, European Aluminium highlights the need for policies that enhance scrap collection, sorting, and processing to maximise resource efficiency. We urge the European Commission to implement measures that strengthen Europe’s recycling value chain and secure the long-term availability of aluminium scrap.

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Press Release: European Aluminium Welcomes European Metals Action Plan but Warns Time is Running Out

European Aluminium supports the European Commission’s EU Steel & Metals Action Plan as a crucial step in tackling the industry’s challenges. However, its success hinges on swift and decisive action. The loss of Europe’s aluminium industry would have severe consequences, making urgent implementation essential. European Aluminium stands ready to collaborate with policymakers to ensure the plan delivers tangible results.

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Press Release: EU Expands Sanctions On Russian Aluminium: Industry Calls For Closing Loopholes

European Aluminium welcomes the inclusion of primary aluminium in the EU's 16th sanctions package against Russia. This package expands existing restrictions on Russian aluminium imports and addresses a longstanding request of the industry to include primary aluminium alongside previously sanctioned products.

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Press Release: European Aluminium Voices Deep Concern About the U.S. Tariffs on Aluminium

European Aluminium, the voice of the entire European aluminium value chain, expresses deep concern over the 25% tariff on all aluminium imports to the U.S. This decision risks disrupting transatlantic trade relations and harming global supply chains. These tariffs could significantly reduce trade volumes, strain long-standing commercial relationships, and impact industries reliant on aluminium, further destabilising a sector already under pressure. European Aluminium urges the European Commission to engage in immediate dialogue with U.S. counterparts to seek a resolution that protects the interests of the European aluminium industry.

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Press Release: Record Number of Used Aluminium Beverage Cans Recycled as Industry Drives Toward 100% Circularity by 2050

European Aluminium and Metal Packaging Europe's latest report highlights a record 580,000 tonnes of aluminium recycled, saving 5.4 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions. While recycling volumes continue to grow, improved collection and sorting infrastructure, particularly through Deposit Return Systems, will be essential to achieving 100% circularity by 2050.

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Addressing Scrap Leakage: A Joint Call to Action for Europe’s Aluminium and Steel Industries

European Aluminium and EUROFER, calls on the European Commission to take decisive measures to address scrap leakage. This critical issue undermines Europe’s circular economy goals and industrial resilience, particularly in the aluminium and steel sectors. Immediate action is essential to secure sustainable raw material supply chains and strengthen Europe’s green transition.

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An Action Plan for European Aluminium: Strategic Metal, Strategic Action.

Our Action Plan outlines six policy priorities to secure the aluminium industry’s role at the heart of Europe’s green and industrial transitions. With rising demand and mounting challenges, this plan provides six key steps to ensure aluminium continues to drive decarbonisation, competitiveness, and sustainability across the EU.

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Position paper: Our Policy Recommendations for an Ambitious Clean Industrial Deal And Metals Action Plan

Our position paper calls on the new European Commission to adopt a Clean Industrial Deal and Metals Action Plan that accelerates decarbonisation and strengthens the competitiveness of the aluminium sector, a key strategic raw material for Europe’s green and industrial future. To address the unique challenges and opportunities faced by the aluminium industry, European Aluminium presents six key policy recommendations and calls for a dedicated Aluminium Action Plan to ensure the sector remains at the core of Europe’s green transition and industrial strategy.

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A Global Collaboration Brings the First Free Online Course on Aluminium

The world’s first Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) dedicated to aluminium is now available for free on FutureLearn. This global initiative, led by European Aluminium, brings together leading academics and industry leaders to provide a comprehensive exploration of aluminium.

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Permanent Materials Alliance: Reaffirming our ambition for a Circular Economy

The Permanent Materials Alliance (aluminium, glass and steel) presents its key policy priorities for the new legislative cycle. These include shifting the EU policy from its waste focus to a resource-based focus and implementing the EU circular economy legislation effectively

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Press Release: Antwerp Dialogue Sparks Key Recommendations for Europe’s Industrial Electrification & Competitiveness

The Antwerp Dialogue, jointly organised by European Aluminium, Cefic (representing the European chemicals industry), and Eurelectric (representing the European electricity sector), underscores the need for targeted policies to accelerate industrial electrification and enhance competitiveness. By bringing together stakeholders from industry, the power sector, NGOs, unions, and think tanks, the dialogue delivered actionable recommendations, highlighting the urgency of supporting the incoming European Commission’s efforts—a vital step towards a more sustainable and competitive future for Europe.

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Antwerp Dialogue Recommendations on Industrial Electrification & Competitiveness

Dedicated to advancing industrial electrification and competitiveness, European Aluminium, Cefic (representing the European chemicals industry), and Eurelectric (representing the European electricity sector) joined forces to organise the Antwerp Dialogue. Bringing together key stakeholders from industry, the power sector, NGOs, unions, and think tanks, this initiative delivers actionable recommendations to support the incoming European Commission’s work—a crucial starting point for this key discussion.

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Position paper on the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism

Our position on the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) highlights the need for refinements to its current design. While CBAM represents a significant step forward, it is not yet a viable replacement for existing EU carbon leakage protections. We call on policymakers to ensure it provides equivalent safeguards to maintain a level playing field for European industries.

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Our feedback on: European Commission study on CBAM scope extension to downstream products

The CBAM in its current design raises significant challenges for aluminium. European Aluminium urges the Commission to address key design elements to ensure that the mechanism effectively protects against carbon leakage while maintaining the competitiveness of European producers.

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End-of-Life Vehicle Directive Revision: Our Top Priorities

European Aluminium welcomes the new proposal on circularity requirements for vehicle design and end-of-life vehicle (ELV) management. The updated regulation should focus on improving material quality for reuse, better vehicle design, and enhanced recycling processes. This will strengthen the recycling of critical raw materials like aluminium and reduce reliance on virgin materials.

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5 key priorities for a decarbonised, resilient and competitive European aluminium industry

A thriving domestic aluminium sector not only ensures the reliability of the supply chain, but also fosters innovation, job creation and economic growth within the region. As we chart our course towards a sustainable future, we call on policymakers to set the foundation for a resilient, environmentally conscious and globally competitive European aluminium industry that aligns with the principles of the European Green Deal.

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Aluminium beverage can recycling in 2021 at a new record level of 76%

The latest report by Metal Packaging Europe and European Aluminium shows that the overall recycling rate for aluminium beverage cans in the European Union, United Kingdom, Switzerland, Norway and Iceland went up by 3.2% to a new record level of 76% (76.1%).

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Executive Summary of the report Net-Zero by 2050: Science-based Decarbonisation Pathways for the European Aluminium Industry

The European aluminium industry plays a vital role in supplying the clean technologies necessary to meet the EU’s ambitious 2050 climate objectives. Yet, the industry faces the critical imperative of accelerating its decarbonisation efforts. Our study, titled ‘Net-zero by 2050: Science Based Decarbonisation Pathways for the European Aluminium Industry,’ charts a path to reduce emissions while sustaining growth.

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Urgent Call for Sanctions on Russian Primary Aluminium by the European Union

Our letter on European aluminium industry’s readiness to contribute to the EU’s efforts to uphold and advance the cause of peace and stability by depriving Russia of a significant market and curtailing its ability to wage its ongoing war of aggression.

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European Aluminium Welcomes First EU Sanctions Against Russian Aluminium Imports But Calls For A For More Comprehensive Approach

European Aluminum welcomes the European Commission’s proposed 12th package of sanctions against Russia, which includes a ban on the importation of certain aluminium products but calls for a far more comprehensive approach.

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Net-Zero by 2050: Science-based Decarbonisation Pathways for the European Aluminium Industry (Full Report)

A comprehensive, realistic framework for achieving net-zero emissions across the entire aluminium value chain, from primary production and semi-fabrication to recycling.

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European Aluminium Unveils Science-Based Decarbonisation Pathways to Fully Decarbonise the Aluminium Value Chain by 2050

European Aluminium launched its new report during a high-level event with Kerstin Jorna, Director-General at the European Commission’s DG Grow.

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Inclusion of Aluminium in the Critical Raw Materials Act - Joint Letter

A coalition of raw materials and clean technology producers, defence and aerospace manufacturers call on policymakers to include aluminium in the Strategic Raw Materials list.

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Our views on the Electricity Market Design reform

The Commission’s Electricity Market Design proposal should be improved to ensure access to globally competitive decarbonized electricity, while shielding EU producers from future electricity prices shocks until the proposed long-term solutions have sufficient effect.

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Position paper on the Net Zero Industry Act

Our position paper on the Net Zero Industry Act, a welcome development which nevertheless needs to better reflect the role of strategic raw materials such as aluminium in the manufacturing of net-zero technologies.

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Position paper on the Critical Raw Materials Act

Our position paper on the Critical Raw Materials Act, a long-overdue first step towards acknowledging the need for a full value chain approach in realising Europe’s strategic resilience and sustainable grow.

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Aluminium industry voices support for Critical Raw Materials & Net-Zero Industry Acts but calls for inclusion of aluminium

Our press release welcomes the recent Acts released while urging policymakers to include aluminium in the Critical Raw Materials Act.

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Aluminium: the base metal for the green transition

Europe’s 2030 energy transition will require 4 million tonnes of additional aluminium per year, making it the base metal for the green transition.

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Our recommendations on the EU response to the US Inflation Reduction Act

Our position paper highlights why a long-term and effective industrial strategy is key for the EU green transition.

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28th World Aluminium Conference

The 28th World Aluminium Conference will take place on the 16-18 May 2023 at the St Pancras Renaissance Hotel, London.

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Strategic Raw Materials: Europe’s industrial agenda for a sustainable and resilient future

Recording of our roundtable debate on the future of the European raw materials industry organised in partnership with EURACTIV.

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De-industrialisation of Europe or revival with unique creative supports

A joint letter with the steel, ceramics, and fertilizers industries calling for unique and creative support measures to stop Europe's deindustrialisation.

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Our reaction to the draft EU Regulation on emergency energy measures

Our recommendations to EU and national policy makers to amend the draft Regulation to better protect the energy-intensive aluminium industry.

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Energy emergency measures are necessary but not enough to help aluminium industry survive

Our press release in response to the energy emergency measures proposed by the European Commission on 14 October 2022.

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