Europe's pursuit for green aluminium industry has a 'FACE' and now has a day dedicated to it, too!

Amidst the worldwide urge to shift toward sustainable aluminium production practices, on November 28 2024, The Federation of Aluminium Consumers in Europe (FACE) has arranged a crucial daylong (9 am to 3 pm) conference to address the pressing matter. The event, titled 'Conference on a Green Competitiveness Agenda for Europe', will be held at Ara Pacis Augustae (via di Ripetta 190), Rome.

Image Source: https://www.archeoroma.org/

The day's event will commence with the renowned journalist — Giancarlo Loquenzi's opening ceremony, followed by an engaging presidential address on 'FACE and the strategic challenges of aluminium for the European Green Economy' by Mario Conserva (President of FACE). The event will also be moderated by Mr Loquenzi, known for being one of the founders of Giuliano Ferrara's 'Il Foglio', serving as head of the Senate press office, editor of 'L'Occidentale' and host of Rai Radio1's historic evening programme "Zapping".

The conference will progress with a delivery by Lucia Albano - Undersecretary at the Ministry of Economy and Finance on 'Italian and European policy, competitiveness, re-industrialisation, digitalisation, decarbonisation' and a speech from the podium by Senator Massimo Garavaglia - President of the Finance Committee.

The conference aims to bring forth the cumulative upshot of all European public policies and decisions to strengthens the competitiveness. Only industrial vitality and prosperity can finance the climate, digital and technological transitions in a healthy way. It is of utmost importance to discuss the analyses and recommendations of the reports by Enrico Letta for the European Council and Mario Draghi for the European Commission. These two reports are considered as a diptych that together form the essential strategic framework for Europe's political and economic agenda. 

Some of the other sessions to look forward to would be a wide range of topics including 'The Letta report and the Strategic Compass for EU Economic Policy' by Tullio Ambrosone, 'Feasibility factors for macroeconomic stimuli in the EU framework' by Cesare Pozzi, and 'State of the aluminium market and trends' by Franco Bonollo. These sessions, led by industry experts, promise to provide a comprehensive understanding of the current state and future prospects of the aluminium sector.

If one is keen on understanding green competitiveness in the aluminium sector, there is a panel discussion on it, too. Delegates namely Roberto Bolognini - Sales and Marketing Director at Profilglass; Sara Galliani - Managing Director at Profilati; Paolo Gerli - President of Assofermet Metalli; Ruggero Pederzoli - President and CEO of Meccanica Pi.Erre, Maurizio Sala - President of Foundry Ecocer and VP of Amafond and Tiziana Tronci - Board Member of Gefond, will speak to clear the air in the room.

There is also a span in the middle where one can gain insight on 'Aluminium and the environment' by Chicco Testa - President of Assoambiente, who will actively disperse facts and studies about the hour-of-need situation. 

After the closing remarks shared by Roger Bertozzi from FACE, there will be a visit to the Ara Pacis monument. This monument, an altar in Rome devoted to the Pax Romana, symbolises the peace and prosperity that can be achieved through sustainable practices, aligning with the theme of our conference on green competitiveness in the aluminium sector. 

This conference on green competitiveness will also be an opportunity to celebrate FACE's 25th anniversary. The federation has been safeguarding the welfare of European downstream independent aluminium processors, end-users and consumers since 1999, continually aspiring for an EU green competitiveness agenda steered towards SMEs and the strengthening of the complete aluminium value chain on the continent.