In this exclusive AL Circle interview for the ‘Aluminium Industry: Focus Europe’ e-magazine, Klaus Schmitz, Vice President Sales – Thermoprocessing Plants for Aluminium and Copper at Otto Junker, reflects on Europe’s aluminium evolution—where green imperatives meet geopolitical uncertainty. From electrification and recycling innovation to client-specific furnace engineering, Schmitz delves into the technologies, challenges, and policy shifts reshaping the continent’s aluminium future.

AL Circle: Energy consumption is a critical concern in the aluminium industry. How is Otto Junker addressing the challenges of energy efficiency and sustainability in its product offerings, and what specific solutions have proven most effective in reducing the environmental footprint?

Mr Klaus Schmitz, Dipl.-Ing: As the total efficiency of the hydrogen route is relatively poor, Otto Junker mainly focuses on the electrification of our furnaces. For nearly all types of our furnaces, which are mainly focussed on aluminium processing, we have developed electrical heating systems as an alternative to gas-fired heating. These systems are ready to sell, and some are already in production. Of course, also for existing furnaces, we are prepared to offer respective revamps.

AL Circle: As Donald Trump returns to power as President of the United States, how do you predict the future of the European aluminium industry?

Mr Klaus Schmitz, Dipl.-Ing: Predictions are always difficult, and in the case of Mr. Trump, it is perhaps even more difficult. What seems clear is that it will not be like going on continuously or just making minor adoptions. His measures need to reach the breaking news. Regarding the European aluminium industry, I think or at least hope that he will first focus on aluminium imports from China. As a first step, this could even lead to increased European imports. However, he will also focus on increasing the local production capacity, and after this is established, European production may encounter a problem. I think European producers are well advised to develop production subsidiaries in the US.

AL Circle: As the European Union pushes for stricter carbon reduction goals, what key challenges does Otto Junker face in adapting to these new regulations, and what strategies are being implemented to ensure compliance while maintaining competitive performance?

Mr Klaus Schmitz, Dipl.-Ing: The present policy of the European Union tends to kill the portion of European production that depends on exports outside the European Union. It is acceptable for branches mainly focussed on the EU as all the regulations around this protect their market even more. But I am very much concerned about industries like aluminium. As a supplier to the aluminium industry, we see that many global regions are developing well and investing, whereas the EU region is struggling. In addition, many EU regulations result in a lot of additional efforts for the products we supply within the EU compared to the same products we supply outside the EU.  This results in higher investment costs for our European customers just as all these general measures, in the end, lead to higher living expenses for European citizens. The recent elections in some EU countries and the UK's exit, in my opinion, show that this carries the potential risk even of political disruption.

To explore the full interview and gain deeper insights into the global aluminium market and how Otto Junker is contributing to its growth, click here.