EUROPEAN ALUMINIUM CELEBRATES ALMOST HALF A CENTURY OF HISTORY

For decades, aluminium has been on a steady growth trajectory since industrial production began, all thanks to its unique and permanent properties on a large scale. It is currently the fastest growing metal and the second most used worldwide. Since 1981, the growth of the European aluminium industry has been supported by the European Aluminium industry association.

Precisely to celebrate its 40th anniversary, European Aluminium has launched a microsite, a magazine and an academic paper describing the development of the aluminium industry in Europe and the extraordinary rise of aluminium as a key factor in a more sustainable society.

Gerd Götz, CEO of European Aluminium says: %22Since the birth of European Aluminium in 1981, the association has played an important role in advocating on behalf of our members throughout political and economic changes. We have also profiled the industry as a proactive player in many policy areas, such as trade, sustainability, energy and climate%22.

In this sense, he adds that the number of members is growing year after year. %22This year alone five new members, so it is clear that companies see the value of joining an industry association and combining forces to optimise our metal’s contribution to a more sustainable society,%22 he reiterates.

Precisely to support the importance of European Aluminium, its president, Ingrid Jörg, stresses that the role of the industrial association she represents is to promote aluminium as a sustainable material, ideally positioned for the circular economy as part of the European Green Deal.

%22Thanks to aluminium’s unique properties, demand for our metal has never been greater. But with increasing growth and our key role in realising Europe’s sustainability ambitions also comes a new need to speak with one voice on critical policy dossiers, such as the EU’s Fit for 55 package and defending trade against unfair competition,%22 he stresses.

Initially, European Aluminium represented only a limited number of primary aluminium producers. Producers of semi-finished products and forgings joined a few years later, followed by recycling companies in 2013.

Today, European Aluminium represents the entire value chain, from primary production to recycling, with more than 85 companies and national associations among its members, totalling more than 600 plants across Europe (EU, UK, EFTA and Turkey) and one million direct and indirect European jobs.