In an interview for the 7th edition of LeaderSpeak 2025, Wayne McVey, Director of Metals Process Fluids North America, sheds light on the current challenges and future opportunities in the aluminium industry, addressing issues like tariff volatility, limited domestic capacity and the growing importance of recycling and process efficiency. 

He also discusses how Quaker Houghton is tackling these needs through innovative fluid technologies, digital solutions and a strong customer-focused strategy, with a clear goal of leading the aluminium hot rolling market. With over 30 years in technical leadership, sales and product management, McVey is now regarded as the market leader of the company’s hot-rolling business. Refer to the e-magazine for the full interview.

AL Circle: What innovations or changes in technology do you believe will drive growth?

Wayne McVey: One of the biggest opportunities for the industry is recycling. Right now, the industry is still figuring out how to effectively incorporate and obtain more recycled content while maintaining the quality and performance needed for high-value applications. As demand grows, especially in sectors like automotive and packaging, developing better recycling solutions will be key to making aluminium more cost-effective and sustainable.

Beyond recycling, a major focus is on improving efficiency at every level of production. Companies are looking for ways to shave costs wherever possible, and that means innovations in overall rolling oil performance leading to improvements in waste treatment, quality, cleanliness, and total cost of ownership. By improving process efficiency and lowering operating costs, manufacturers can increase profitability, create opportunities in higher-margin areas and generate marketplace advantages.

Another key area for product innovation is the growing demand for aluminium in electric vehicles and battery production. As automakers push for lighter, more efficient materials, aluminium is playing a bigger role, but it comes with stringent formability, surface quality and cleanliness requirements, depending on the application. Meeting these standards will require continuous advancements in fluid technology and processing methods to ensure manufacturers can support the evolving needs of the market.

AL Circle: How do you maintain a competitive edge in the market?

Wayne McVey: Staying competitive in this market requires more than just offering a quality product. Aluminium customers operate in an environment where efficiency, reliability, and cost-effectiveness drive every decision.  

Generating operational savings comes with building trust and demonstrating application know-how and a track record of success.  It’s not about promising savings; it’s about showing exactly how we can improve operations—whether that’s optimising rolling processes, reducing waste, or improving product consistency. Every mill has unique challenges and addressing them requires a combination of deep industry expertise and adaptability. That’s why we focus on building teams that can collaborate, problem-solve, and anticipate industry shifts from both the technical and operational sides of the business.

AL Circle: How do you see the aluminium industry evolving over the next five to ten years?

Wayne McVey: Over the next five to ten years, the aluminium industry will continue evolving to become more efficient and cost-effective. We’re already seeing this shift—two new mills are currently under construction, and more are expected as the industry continues modernising.

Recycling will also be a major focus. The industry needs to figure out how to separate recycled scrap into high quality content and segregated alloys to minimise the need for virgin ingot utilisation at high rates—a challenge that remains easier said than done.

From a technology standpoint, the biggest innovations will center on improving efficiency and reducing operating costs. Companies will continue searching for ways to minimise operating costs, and advancements in waste treatment, lower consumption rates, mill and strip cleanliness, and fluid technology will play a crucial role in achieving those goals.

To explore the full interview and gain deeper insights on the global aluminium market and how Quaker Houghton is contributing to its growth, click here.