Aluminium Deutschland, IG BCE (a trade union in Germany) and IG Metall (a dominant metalworkers' union in Germany) have joined hands through the German Aluminium Alliance with five federal states intending to transition into climate neutrality and competitiveness for Germany's aluminium sector.
European Aluminium has recently published its upcoming 5 years' top priorities which include 1. delivering an effective industrial strategy that boosts investment in Europe, 2. promoting green transition, 3. delivering internationally competitive energy prices and supporting industrial decarbonisation, 4. revitalising European Union's Trade Defence and Policy, 5. building coherent environmental practices through substance management framework. The German alliance is similarly based on 4 prioritised goals.
All the members of the alliance focus on four specific goals:
- Climate-neutral production
- Upliftment of circular economy
- social responsibility via co-determination and collective bargaining
- Job security for German employees
The alliance also includes members such as the economic ministries of North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate, Saxony-Anhalt, and Saarland, as well as the Economic Authority of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg.
Jürgen Kerner, chairman of IG Metall commented on the mutual agreement towards the vision, "We are pleased that the signatories have agreed on common goals when it comes to aluminium. This once again highlights the special importance of the German aluminium industry, which, with its employees and its know-how, plays a significant role in decarbonisation."
The alliance succeeds the incident of Aluminium Deutschland calling for 'more common sense' in the German economic policy earlier this year.
Rob van Gils, president of Aluminium Deutschland, eloquently expressed, "Aluminium is not only essential for numerous industries such as transport, construction and electrical engineering but also plays a central role in the implementation of net-zero technologies. As a key material for decarbonisation, Aluminium is needed in large quantities to achieve our climate goals. Together with politicians and social partners, we are committed to ensuring that the German aluminium industry masters this challenge sustainably and competitively."
This initiative can be seen as a proactive measure to safeguard Germany's aluminium industry, mitigating the decline in production since 2021 and paving the way for a resilient and sustainable future.
"I am delighted about the agreement to make the aluminium industry in Germany competitive and climate-neutral as quickly as possible. In this way, we will ensure the framework conditions for companies in the future. This is primarily about affordable electricity prices, a secure and renewable energy supply and a strong circular economy," said Mona Neubaur, minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection for the State of North Rhine-Westphalia.
Germany's aluminium sector is demonstrating its resilience, with optimism fueled by the 2022-2023 upswing in tube and aerosol can deliveries. Although Q1 2024 production faced temporary setbacks, the global picture is promising.
AEROBAL's latest report reveals a 4.4% increase in global deliveries during the first half of 2024, totalling 3.4 billion units. This impressive growth, achieved amidst economic challenges, highlights the industry's potential for sustained success.
"The focus on the circular economy, in particular, is extremely important for achieving climate goals. The material aluminium is therefore part of the solution for achieving the energy transition," concluded IGBCE board member Francesco Grioli.
