The UK aluminum industry has an excellent opportunity to drive sustainability, circular economy and transition. In addition, the impact of the aluminum sector exceeds 8.4 billion euros.
This was confirmed by Tom Jones, CEO of the Aluminium Federation (ALFED), who called for the issue to be addressed following the publication of the organization’s latest report revealing that more than 39,000 people are directly employed in this manufacturing discipline, with a total GVA of close to €3 billion.
The aforementioned report, prepared jointly by the association and the Fraser of Allander Institute, reveals that the real value of the sector is close to 7.4 billion euros and supports the employment of 104,000 full-time jobs when the indirect impact of this unique material is taken into account.
Aluminum’s lightweight properties and the fact that it can be easily recycled will be crucial in helping UK manufacturing lead the way when it comes to Net Zero. However, experts say that both the UK government and industry need to be bolder and braver in seeking to increase domestic capacity so that it can support greater demand from the automotive, aerospace, construction, packaging, rail and shipbuilding supply chains.
“We have overcome Covid-19 and Brexit, plus the impact of the UK aluminum industry is growing once again and we are on the brink of something really exciting. If we have the courage to lead the way in supporting sustainable manufacturing and the journey to Net Zero”explained Tom Jones.
“We need to build supply chain independence both upstream and downstream in the producers of castings, extrusions and profiles. The demand is definitely out there, but, as it stands, we only have one primary smelter on our domestic shores and that won’t be enough in the future. Aluminum is so light and strong, with its unmatched green credentials.” he added.
ALFED, which is committed to expanding the market for aluminum products by helping to solve problems, lobby the government and increase the sector’s competitiveness. The organization responded by outlining a strategy that focuses on 100% of aluminum in the UK remaining at its highest value, strengthening capacity and working to ensure that all legacy, by-products and waste are utilized through conversion or recycling.
In addition, another long-term goal will be to create a Sustain Aluminum Center that will bring together all parts of the industry with academia to explore efficiency savings and environmentally friendly processes.
Aluminum demand increases in North America
ALUMINUM CAN MAKER TO CLOSE TWO OF ITS OLDEST U.S. PLANTS
ALUMINUM DEMAND CONTINUES TO GROW IN THE U.S.
MANNA CAPITAL PARTNERS TO INVEST $2 BILLION FOR A NEW CAN PLANT IN NEW MEXICO
THE UNITED KINGDOM STEEL INDUSTRY SETS OUT A VISION FOR NET ZERO TRANSITION
BALL CORPORATION STARTS CONSTRUCTION OF THE LARGEST ALUMINUM CONTAINER MANUFACTURING PLANT IN THE UNITED KINGDOM
DOMESTIC DEMAND FOR ALUMINUM INCREASED BY 7.7% IN 2021, SURPASSING U.S. GDP.
MANNA CAPITAL PARTNERS WITH BALL CORPORATION TO IMPROVE ALUMINUM CAN SHEET RECYCLING
HINDALCO PLANS TO BUILD AN ALUMINUM RECYCLING PLANT IN THE US. ON WHICH IT WILL SPEND US$ 2.5 BILLION
THE U.S. ALUMINUM ALLOY MARKET. IS STILL IN A GROWTH PHASE
