Enabling the circular economy with aluminium

7 Nov 2022

Our strategy for reaching full circularity

The aluminium industry is a key driver in achieving Europe’s ambitions for a climate-neutral and circular economy. Aluminium is circular and fit for multiple recycling: it can be recycled again and again without losing its original properties.

Furthermore, the aluminium recycling process requires only 5% of the energy needed to produce primary metal, leading to significant CO2 savings. Aluminium recycling rates are already among the highest of all materials. In Europe, recycling rates in the automotive and building sectors are over 90%, while aluminium beverage cans have a recycling rate of 76% today.

Our ambition is to promote circular design and boost the recycling of aluminium,. Our Circular Aluminium Action Plan provides a roadmap for European policy makers and the European aluminium industry to work together to make this ambition a reality.

Our forecasts show that with the right policy framework in place, 50% of Europe’s demand for aluminium could be supplied through recycled aluminium by mid-century. As a result, aluminium recycling could reduce CO2 emissions by up to 39 million tonnes per year by 2050 compared to today, which corresponds to 46% less CO2 per year in 2050. This is achieved mainly by replacing carbon-intensive primary aluminium imports from outside Europe with recycled domestic aluminium. By increasing recycling rates, Europe can also reduce its import dependency and exposure to supply disruptions.

Our latest posts