European Aluminium commands EU to impose a sanction against Russian aluminium

The industry group European Aluminium believes the European Union should sanction Russian aluminium metal rather than banning a few products like aluminium wire, foil, tubes, and pipes for a more significant impact. According to the group, a more robust and stringent action is required to restrict Russian aluminium imports.

The group explains in a letter sent to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen that the recently proposed 12th package of sanctions keeps out the primary aluminium, which accounts for the largest volume of Russian aluminium exports to the EU. The sanctions package only includes aluminium wire, foil, tubes, and pipes exports, which are limited to the EU.

In the first three quarters of 2023, the European Union imported almost 500,000 tonnes of Russian aluminium and aluminium products worth 1.26 billion euros ($1.37 billion), showed Eurostat data.

When Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, the European Union took a cautious approach to reduce its reliance on Russian aluminium, a key material for European industry.

"However, 21 months later, circumstances have changed considerably. The European aluminium industry has accelerated its decoupling from Russia," the industry group said.

According to Trade Data Monitor, the European Union imported more than 2.4 million tonnes or $6.3 billion worth of unalloyed and unwrought primary aluminium from January to September 2023, of which 11 per cent was from Russia compared to 20 per cent of the total import during the same period of the previous year and 2021.

Pål Kildemo, chief financial officer at Norwegian aluminium producer Hydro, is also of the opinion that "The scope of the sanctions must be much broader to have a substantial impact. It should include primary aluminium from Russia."