In an interview for "ALUEXPO 2025 & Beyond", Göksal GÜNGÖR outlines how Assan Alüminyum decarbonisation roadmap is steering the company toward carbon neutrality by 2050. With Europe’s largest continuous casting capacity, strong renewable energy investments and innovative recycling-friendly alloys, the company demonstrates agility in balancing market volatility while advancing sustainability.
By leveraging integrated recycling operations, Scope 2 neutrality and ASI certification, Assan enhances customer trust and market access. Beyond operations, its ESG initiatives, ranging from biodiversity preservation to community empowerment, further strengthen stakeholder relations, reinforcing its leadership in delivering sustainable, high-quality flat-rolled aluminium globally.
AL Circle: Assan Alüminyum is one of Europe’s two largest aluminium foil producers, with an installed capacity of around 130,000 tonnes and total flat-rolled capacity of 360,000 tonnes. In today’s environment of raw material volatility and shifting demand across packaging, automotive, and HVAC, how has Assan Alüminyum’s production mix and sourcing strategy adapted in 2025?
Göksal GÜNGÖR: At Assan Alüminyum, our ability to adapt quickly has always been a core strength. With a total flat rolled aluminium production capacity of 360,000 tons and being one of Europe’s two largest foil producers, we are able to balance demand shifts across packaging, automotive, HVAC and industrial markets with great flexibility. In the face of raw material volatility, we leverage our integrated recycling operations and our long-term sourcing agreements to minimise risks. At the same time, our continuous casting technology expertise allows us to optimise production mix rapidly, with innovative solutions, ensuring that we remain a reliable partner to our customers regardless of market fluctuations. This agility, combined with our scale, secures our leading position in the flat rolled aluminium industry.
AL Circle: You’ve achieved full Scope 2 emissions neutrality through renewable energy production (Manavgat hydro, Karaman solar) and I-REC certification. Given rising energy prices and the EU’s CBAM pressure, how much of a competitive shield are these green investments? Do you have metrics on cost savings or market access gains from green credentials?
Göksal GÜNGÖR: Our renewable energy portfolio, including our Manavgat hydroelectric power plant, Karaman solar power plant and the International Renewable Energy Certificates (I-RECs) we obtain and procure as a result enables us to achieve full Scope 2 neutrality. These investments are also key pillars of our Decarbonisation Roadmap, where we aim to become carbon-neutral by 2050. This certainly gives us a competitive advantage as not many flat rolled aluminium producers have such a diversified renewable energy investment portfolio, allowing for the offsetting of emissions. We could therefore conclude that our renewable energy investments directly contribute to our sustainability strategies, therefore reflecting positively onto the value we add to the products and services we offer our customers.
AL Circle: Assan Alüminyum exports to over 70 countries, directly or via Kibar Americas in Chicago. Do you expect that ALUEXPO will enable a stronger momentum from prospective buyers, especially for flat-rolled, sustainably produced aluminium?
Göksal GÜNGÖR: With exports to over 70 countries and a strong local presence through Kibar Americas in Chicago, we are already a global company that is able to give localised service. As ALUEXPO is the most important meeting point of the Eurasian aluminium industry, it is an important platform, where we are able to meet our existing business partners to discuss future plans and collaborations, while further enhancing our reach through potential customers. Industry stakeholders who attend the fair are increasingly seeking sustainable, high-quality aluminium products, and this plays directly to our strengths. By showcasing our broad flat-rolled portfolio, our renewable energy achievements, our recycling-friendly, low-carbon products and our Decarbonisation Roadmap, we expect to build stronger momentum with prospective customers who value both scale and responsibility.
To know more about aluminium sustainability, read the complete interview here.
