Over the years, the European aluminium industry has established as a cross-sectorial innovation catalyst for the circular economy, decarbonisation, and disruptive technologies. From packaging product circularity and process technology to the use of production residue in other sectors, we are truly committed to leveraging the innovation potential of aluminium. At European Aluminium, we bundle this innovation dynamic in our so-called Innovation Hub that brings together the necessary actors from our membership, the broader industry, and RD&I partners.
We believe in the power of collaboration to translate ideas into concrete projects. In 2015, we established an Innovation Hub, a collaborative platform to accelerate the transformation to a clean and circular Europe for aluminium producers and cross-sector partners. By creating a space for dialogue on technological challenges and potential solutions at a precompetitive level, the Hub serves as a bridge between industry needs and funding opportunities. Today, the Innovation Hub counts 18 member companies and three European Aluminium market groups (Building, Packaging and Automotive & Transport) as its members.
The Innovation Hub facilitates the development of collaborative project proposals for its members and joins proposals under development, especially EU project proposals submitted to the EU’s Horizon Europe research and innovation funding programme.
The Innovation Hub leverages its extensive stakeholder network, including policymakers, experts, and research institutes, to participate in relevant Public-Private Partnerships. Active participation in these initiatives is essential to shaping the future innovation landscape, influencing research priorities, and ensuring that aluminium-related solutions contribute to Europe's broader sustainability and industrial competitiveness goals.
To address the priority topics defined by its members, the Innovation Hub organises collaborative studies. These studies are developed based on a tendering process to select the best external contributor, ensuring that technological challenges are effectively addressed at a precompetitive level while contributing to the sustainability targets of the aluminium industry.
The Innovation Hub maintains close ties with Europe’s leading Research and Technology Organisations (RTOs) and innovation stakeholders through a variety of activities, including Innovation Workshops, webinars, and knowledge-sharing sessions. These initiatives aim to foster collaboration with the aluminium industry, facilitate the exchange of expertise, and stimulate the development of new research projects.
Are you interested to get more information about our Innovation Hub? Contact us at innovation@european-aluminium.eu. To stay informed about new projects, events, proposals, and innovations from our member companies subscribe to our free Innovation Hub newsletter.