The Spanish Metallographic Association (AME) unveils its Annual Report 2022

The Spanish metalworking industry is positioned as one of the four most important in the sector in Europe. For this reason, the Spanish Metallographic Association continues to raise awareness of the advantages and benefits of metal containers and closures. Its latest initiative, the publication of its Corporate Report 2022, highlights the relevance of the sector associated with European metal, highlighting the qualities of the material to ensure effective and environmentally friendly sealing.
According to Rafael Sanz, president of AME, all these benefits are represented in the published document. “Despite the fact that 2022 has been a year of significant challenges in a complex global context in which companies have had to overcome new hurdles,” says Sanz, “the turnover of members exceeded 2 billion euros, thanks to the ability of our 30 member companies and 12 more adherents to continue fighting in the most complicated moments.”he added.
Spanish industry is growing at a considerable rate, making it one of the main forces in the industrial sector in Europe. Twenty-one percent of the production of metal containers and closures is exported, and its main destination is other countries in the continent. The second chapter of this report is devoted to the sustainability of this material and the many other advantages of metal packaging and closures.

Ecoembes keeps records of the waste that arrived at the recycling point, which show a very encouraging number. 85.8% of light household packaging made of metal is recycled, returning it to the production cycle once again.

As this document unfolds, some of the achievements of the industry over the past year can be seen. All these challenges and activities are carried out with the commitment to reduce the carbon footprint derived from the sector’s activity, both in relation to the environment, energy use or food contact, among other issues.

In addition, AME has been developing some strategic alliances for years in order to continue fulfilling its purpose of disseminating the multiple benefits of metal packaging and closures. Through partnerships such as that of Metal Packaging Europe, support for the activity has been found at the European level. On the other hand, cooperation with Confemetal, Ecoacero, Confecoi, Cetie and Packnet is intended to represent all types of metal packaging and closures currently covered by the Association.
In addition, AME is committed to the Sustainable Development Goals and this is expressed in its Annual Report. The important role of metal packaging and closures in the circular economy, the reduction of food waste, the increase in efficiency through innovation, the use of renewable energies in production and the control of water use are some examples of the sector’s efforts to improve the sustainability of its activities.

In the labor area, a new State Collective Bargaining Agreement for the Metallographic and Metal Packaging Manufacturing Industry was signed in 2022. The agreement was signed for a three-year term, effective retroactively as of January 1, 2021.

Among other noteworthy issues, this agreement included a 2% annual salary increase, regulated sick leave for first and second degree relatives, and included the adaptation of the agreement to teleworking, time registration and equality regulations, as well as to the State Collective Bargaining Agreement on labor contracting. This is the only Collective Bargaining Agreement in this area that has adapted the reform in the area of contracting to its sectoral interests.