Research & innovation

for a sustainable lifestyle

and economy

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.

Our Innovation Hub

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.

What We Do

Initiate EU-Projects

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.

Participate in Public-Private Partnerships

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.

Develop collaborative studies for its members

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.

Connecting to the research community

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.

Help Us Shape The Future

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.

Our Projects

                       

HyInHeat - Hydrogen technologies for decarbonisation of industrial heating processes

Launched in January 2023, HorizonEurope project HyInHeat aims to integrate hydrogen as fuel for high temperature heating processes in the energy intensive industries and in particular for the steel and aluminium sector. European Aluminium is partner of the consortium for communication and dissemination, LCA support and analysis of the current policy framework. The project is expected to run until the end of 2026 and the consortium includes 28 partners. EU Grant Agreement n. 101091456

H2Glass - advancing Hydrogen (H2) technologies and smart production systems TO decarbonise the GLass and Aluminium SectorS

Launched in January 2023, European Aluminium is involved in the HorizonEurope project H2Glass, which aims to create the technology stack that glass manufacturers need to realise 100% H2 combustion in their production facilities and a demonstrator for the aluminium industry to prove the transferability of the technological solutions and underlying models to energy-intensive industries. The project is expected to run until October 2027 and the consortium includes 23 partners. EU Grant Agreement n. 101092153

H2AL: Full-scale Demonstration of Replicable Technologies for Hydrogen Combustion in Hard to Abate Industries: The Aluminium use-case

Launched in January 2024 and expected to run until the end of 2026, the H2AL consortium aims to address the challenges of adopting hydrogen in hard-to-abate industries through a hybrid approach using digital tools and state-of-the-art experimental techniques. The consortium will develop an integrated H2 burner and support system for a heating furnace in an HTAI, specifically the aluminium scrap recycling industry. The project will investigate the impact of H2 combustion on the furnace structure and product quality while minimising emissions. European Aluminium is one of the 9 partners. EU Grant Agreement n. 101137610

Skills4EII - Skills Alliance for the Green, Digital and Social Transformation of the Energy Intensive Industries

Launched in January 2025, the Erasmus+ project Skills4EII aims to address skills gaps and workforce challenges in energy-intensive industries, supporting the green, digital, and social transformation of the sector. The project builds on the results of the European Steel Skills Alliance (ESSA) and the Skills Alliance for Industrial Symbiosis (SPIRE-SAIS), further developing them within the framework of the Large-Scale Partnership Energy Intensive Industries under the Pact for Skills. European Aluminium is a partner in the consortium, contributing to skills analysis, training ecosystem development, and dissemination activities. The project is expected to run until the end of 2027 and involves a broad alliance of stakeholders across multiple industrial sectors. EU Grant Agreement n. 101184954

INSIDE-CoVE-International Network for Sustainable and Innovative Digital Excellence in Construction Vocational Education

Launched in March 2025, the Erasmus+ project INSIDE-CoVE connects Centres of Vocational Excellence (CoVEs) across six European countries to enhance skills development in the Architectural, Engineering, and Construction industries. The project focuses on digitalization, sustainability, and inclusion, aiming to strengthen training programs and innovation within the sector. European Aluminium, through its Building Market Group, plays a key role in fostering collaboration and skills advancement. Key activities include the development of a multi-layered curriculum, the establishment of skills ecosystems, and the implementation of advanced training tools such as the i-LMS platform. The project is expected to run until 2028 and brings together a strong consortium of industry and education partners. EU Grant Agreement n. 101194017

aluSELECT database

The Innovation Hub has enabled the redeployment of the aluSELECT database in collaboration with MATPLUS company. AluSELECT, is freely accessible after registration. Currently, it contains numerous information and data about the properties, applications and processability of 35 wrought aluminium alloys and 12 cast alloys which are accessible through a user-friendly and modern multi-criteria search and selection interface.

ZEnITh – Zero Emissions Industrial Technologies

Launched in June 2026, the Horizon Europe project ZEnITh aims to develop an integrated, plug-and-play solution to decarbonise industrial thermal processes. The project combines high-temperature heat pumps, latent thermal energy storage and an AI-based industrial energy management system, while also supporting integration with renewable energy sources and other emerging technologies. The solution will be validated in a real-world energy-intensive industrial process in an aluminium manufacturing plant, helping demonstrate a scalable pathway towards more sustainable and competitive industrial production. European Aluminium is one of the 16 partners in the consortium. The project is expected to run until May 2030. EU Grant Agreement n. 101294501.

CLEANMAT – Smart Clean Aluminium Material Processing - Digital Sorting, Intelligent Pre-treatment, and Advanced Melt Refining

Launched in June 2026, the Horizon Europe project CLEANMAT aims to make aluminium recycling cleaner, safer and more efficient by developing an end-to-end recycling route combining digital processing, smart scrap characterisation, advanced pre-treatment and melt refining. The project will use AI-driven optimisation and sensor-based technologies to improve scrap sorting and identify contaminants, while developing innovative cleaning and refining processes to reduce the use of fluxing agents, energy and emissions. European Aluminium is one of 17 partners from 8 countries contributing to the project. CLEANMAT is expected to run until May 2029. EU Grant Agreement n. 101294748

CONNECT-EU – Structuring Joint Innovation Programs in Circular Materials and Sustainable Manufacturing

Launched in September 2026, the Horizon Europe project CONNECT-EU aims to strengthen interregional cooperation and investment readiness in circular and sustainable aluminium value chains. The project will establish a Joint Innovation Programme enabling regions across Europe to co-invest and co-innovate in circular materials innovation, with a particular focus on aluminium. European Aluminium is one of 7 partners in the consortium. The project will develop a shared strategic and foresight framework for aluminium circularity, regional blueprints for innovation ecosystems, models for cross-regional co-funding and collaboration, and tools to support stakeholder engagement and replication. The project is expected to run until February 2028. EU Grant Agreement n. 101304754

Innovation Hub Members