Power cost of EUR 600 vs EUR 1,800 per tonne: How electricity prices are reshaping Europe’s aluminium industry (Part 1)
How much does it really cost to produce aluminium in Europe, and can the region’s smelters compete with producers in the US and China? Beyond electricity prices, the economics of primary and recycled aluminium, industrial electrification and changing automotive demand are shaping the future of Europe’s aluminium industry. In this exclusive interview with AL Circle, Dr Martin Iffert, Founder and CEO of Martin Iffert Consulting, examines these challenges, discussing smelter economics, recycling competitiveness and the outlook for Europe’s 2040 electrification vision. He also shares his views on Germany’s production landscape and the investments needed to improve productivity and strengthen the aluminium value chain. Dr Iffert brings over 30 years of industry experience. He served as CEO of...
Inside Novelis’ 2030 strategy: Aligning scrap supply, recycling investment and new opportunities in aluminium markets
The AL Circle team caught up with Michael Hahne, Vice President Commercial, Novelis Europe, for a conversation at ALUMINIUM 2026 in Düsseldorf, Germany. With experience across the company’s automotive and beverage can businesses, Hahne brings a commercial perspective to the evolving relationship between aluminium, customer needs and circularity. In this exclusive interview, Hahne explains why aluminium’s next growth chapter will depend on more than expanding production. Securing scrap, closing material loops and turning metallurgical expertise into new customer solutions are becoming central to the industry’s competitiveness. As automotive lightweighting, battery applications and circularity reshape demand, he discusses the strategies behind Novelis’ global footprint and the challenges of...
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“Taking weight out of products is a key driver and this is something that aluminium can do, with our R&D teams working tirelessly with existing and new customers to look at where we can introduce our material into their products,” Adam Hunter, Deputy General Manager, Bridgnorth Aluminium
In this interview, Adam Hunter, the Deputy General Manager at Bridgnorth Aluminium has outlined the company’s key sustainability initiatives aimed at reducing their environmental footprint. He explained that the company already remelts all of its own production scrap, ensuring that aluminium waste from their processes is fully recycled and reused. In an interview for the e-Magazine " World of ALuminium Flat Rolled Products " , Adam Hunter has also highlighted the company’s plan to further increase the use of recycled aluminium by incorporating more scrap material into their production. Additionally, the company captures excess heat from its casthouse operations and repurposes it for other parts of the facility, improving overall energy efficiency. Bridgnorth Aluminium also partners with a...
“Our global position enables us to supply a vast range of industries, including the LNG tanks industry, food packaging machines, firefighting trucks, cryogenic tanks, windmills, land army vehicles…” Vincenzo ZINNI, Niche Fusina Rolled Products S.r.L.
Vincenzo Zinni, CEO of Fusina since 2022, is steering the company toward market leadership through strategic investments and production enhancements. With a strong background in metal trading, he is focused on driving excellence, quality and reliability across key sectors such as marine, transport, silos and defence. In an exclusive interview for e-Magazine " World of Aluminium Flat Rolled Products ", Vincenzo shared his thoughts on current challenges and technologies bringing changes in the FRP sector globally. AL Circle: How do you foresee the market for aluminium flat-rolled products evolving over the next five years? What key market trends are you monitoring, and how does Niche Fusina plan to adapt to these changes? Vincenzo ZINNI: Aluminium flat-rolled products will increase in...
“Our Vortex 2.0 furnaces are always bespoke and designed to consider individual project requirements like the size of the load, production output, process parameters requirements like the temperature profile, client plant layout, etc.” Piotr Skarbiński, SECO/WARWICK
Piotr Skarbinski is the Vice President of the Controlled Atmosphere Brazing (CAB) and Aluminium Process business segment at SECO/WARWICK S.A., overseeing advanced thermal processing solutions for the aluminium flat-rolled product industry. With decades of experience, he plays a key role in driving innovation and global leadership in CAB and aluminium heat treatment technologies. In an interview for the e-Magazine " World of ALuminium Flat Rolled Products ", Skarbinski sheds light upon innovative technological advancement posing with real-time benefits in the aluminium FRP sector. AL Circle: What distinguishes SECO/WARWICK’s heat treatment systems from its aluminium processing industry competitors? Piotr Skarbinski: A few years ago, we came to the conclusion that it was possible to develop...
“One of aluminium’s most significant advantages is its infinite recyclability, which makes it ideal for enhancing the circular economy. In the production of rolled products, we use both primary aluminium and recycled material,” Dr Ing. Catalina Fernandez, Director of CINDAL (Aludium R&D Centre)
Dr. Ing. Catalina Fernandez the Director of CINDAL (Aludium R&D Centre) is at the forefront of innovation in aluminium-rolled products (FRPs) and plays a pivotal role in driving sustainability initiatives at Aludium. Her background in metallurgy and materials science, along with her passion for environmental stewardship, has allowed her to combine technical expertise with a vision for a greener future for the aluminium industry. While innovation has always been at the heart of her work, she emphasized that sustainability now drives their strategy. A key milestone in this direction is the 37 per cent reduction in carbon emissions since 2019, achieved through targeted investments in the company’s casthouse. Here is an excerpt of his interview with us. AL Circle: Could you begin by giving us...
“Our products help our customers optimise quality, productivity, and yield by measuring and controlling them accurately throughout their processes,” Marko Sydénlammi, Global Product Line Manager Flatness Systems, ABB
Marko Sydänlammi is the Global Product Line Manager for Flatness Systems at ABB Measurement & Analytics. With over 33 years of experience across product management, operations, engineering and sales, he has worked extensively in the battery, metals, paper and converting industries. At ABB, he oversees the end-to-end growth and development of flatness systems, focusing on portfolio management, footprint analysis, and business strategy. Marko holds a Master of Science in Mechanics and Computer Science from Linköping University, Sweden. In an interview for e-Magazine The World of ALuminium Flat Rolled Products , Marko Sydänlammi talks about innovative solutions to measure flatness, thickness and tension that hold the key to enhance accuracy, reliability and longevity in the FRP sector. AL...
“In addition to supporting downstream industries, producers of flat rolled aluminium are also looking to improve the sustainability of their own operations,” Peter De Bruyne, Quaker Houghton
Peter De Bruyne, Global Business Director, Non-Ferrous at Quaker Houghton, has a wealth of knowledge and expertise from his career spanning three decades in the aluminium industry. He has shared through his candid interview with AL Circle for ‘The Modern World of Aluminium Flat-Rolled Products’ e-magazine on the fundamentals of rolling fluid and how he has helped shape the future of aluminium rolling, determining the strategic direction of Quaker Houghton. AL Circle: Could you provide a brief overview of the function of rolling fluids in flat rolled aluminium production? Peter De Bruyne: During the rolling process, rolling fluids serve to lubricate, cool, and remove aluminium fines from the strip surface. For cold rolling, this is usually achieved with kerosene-based oil supported by...
“Our strategy is to expand the production output for the next five years to reach 180k MT per annum…” Mohamed Rafea, CEO, GARMCO
Mohamed Rafea, the Chief Executive Officer at GARMCO since April 2020, brings over 27 years of aluminium industry experience, previously leading Riyadh Cables and Midal Cables. He holds an MSc from Coventry University and a BSc in Electrical Engineering from Texas A&M. In an exclusive for Al Circle's e-Magazine " The Modern World of ALuminium Flat Rolled Product s", he shares GARMCO's strategy for the next 5 years, including expansion of production output alongside diversified innovation. AL Circle: How will the demand for aluminium FRP grow in 2024 and beyond? Which manufacturing sectors will be the key demand drivers for aluminium FRP? Mohamed Rafea: According to market reports and studies, the global aluminium market is forecasted to reach a CAGR of 5% to 7% in the next five years....
“This cycle of shutdowns and restarts, or at least these production reduction and increase phases, has been more prevalent in Europe than elsewhere in the world for years,” Pascal Mausset, Fives
Pascal Mausset, Fives Services Europe Manager for Fives Aluminium Division, has been associated with the organisation for 22 years, including 15 years in the primary aluminium industry. In an interview with AL Circle for its e-magazine ‘ Aluminium Industry: Focus Europe ’, he discusses the decline in European production, each smelter’s responsibility to tackle the current circumstance and the importance of digital tools in process improvement. AL Circle: As a leading process equipment and production lines supplier with headquarters in France, how have you contributed to the recent growth in European aluminium production with your advanced machinery and technology? Mr Pascal Mausset: Production in Europe has been declining for several years, sometimes gradually with reduced output and...
“Given that Europe is structurally a deficit market in primary aluminium, the resilience of the European market is always an important issue,” Uday Patel, senior Research Manager, Metals and Mining – Aluminium, Wood Mackenzie
Uday Patel, senior research manager, Metals and Mining – Aluminium, Wood Mackenzie, has highlighted the complex dynamics currently shaping the aluminium market. He stated that geopolitical disruptions, such as the Russia-Ukraine war and rising political populism, are already weakening global trade and market confidence. Over the past four to five years, interest in low-carbon metal has surged, driven by sustainability goals and regulatory pressures. However, in the current environment of weak overall demand, many end-users are unwilling to absorb the additional costs, particularly when it's difficult to pass those costs on to customers. Looking ahead, Patel notes that the introduction of CBAM (Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism) payments in 2026 could increase pricing for low-carbon...
“In the European market, there is a very specific qualification process for suppliers,” John Courtenay, MQP
John Courtenay, the Chairman of MQP and CEO of MQP International Ltd, is a global leader in the development, manufacture and application of grain refinement products used in the production of aluminium alloys. His business career started with joining Foseco International in 1968. He shares through his interview for AL Circle ‘ Aluminium Industry: Focus Europe ’ e-magazine about the diverse experience MQP has had, having the opportunity to work in the European market AL Circle: What challenges do you encounter while you cater to the European market? John Courtenay: One of our biggest challenges is growing beyond our existing customer base in Europe. We must circumnavigate some restrictive factors, one being that, since the pandemic, central research and development departments have not...
“Deploying processing facilities near cast houses minimises the carbon footprint by reducing the need for transportation and reheating of dross,” Frank Pollmann, TAHA International
Frank Pollmann, Founder, Taha International, is a German entrepreneur whose business roots are more than 30 years deep in the Gulf region. He founded TAHA International Corporation and led its transformation from a small trading company in Bahrain to a leading-edge provider of award-winning proprietary dross management services to cast house operators worldwide. Through this descriptive interview for AL Circle's 'Aluminium Industry: Focus Europe' e-magazine, Pollmann reflects on the challenges that the business has overcome as well as industry collaborations that have steered the business’ overall growth. AL Circle: From your perspective, what are the most significant challenges the European aluminium industry faces today regarding waste management, and how can TAHA contribute to...
“The aluminium industry operates in a high-risk environment where safety, productivity, and sustainability are critical. TRAKR leverages the power of IIoT and AI to address these challenges comprehensively,” Vikram Rastogi, Hacklab CEO
Vikram Rastogi has emphasised how TRAKR, a brand of HACKLAB Solutions, is transforming the aluminium industry by addressing its key challenges like safety, productivity, and sustainability, through Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI). He also highlighted that data is the driving force behind TRAKR’s transformative impact on the aluminium industry. According to him, TRAKR harnesses data from cameras, sensors, and IoT devices, turning it into real-time, actionable insights that empower manufacturers to make smarter, faster decisions on the shop floor. He shared his views through an interview for AL Circle’s, ‘Digital Transformation in the Aluminium Industry,’ e-Magazine. Here is an excerpt of his interview with us. How does TRAKR's integration of IIoT and...
“In Europe, a key trend for rolling mills is portfolio diversification,” Rene Liedtke, Quaker Houghton
Rene Liedtke, Segment Leader Non-Ferrous Europe at Quaker Houghton, has a PhD in organic chemistry with a background in synthesis and instrumental analysis. He is also a subject matter expert for lubrication of aluminium processing with broad experience in project management from R&D and production. He shares his views through an interview for AL Circle ‘ Aluminium Industry: Focus Europe ’ e-magazine on the European aluminium market and how team Quaker Houghton is supporting the unique demands of the aluminium rolling industry. AL Circle: How do you see the outlook for the aluminium industry in Europe? René Liedtke: The outlook for the aluminium industry in Europe is very positive. It’s an unprecedented time of investment, fuelled primarily by the global macrotrend of sustainability....
“The patented ‘Vedanta Lining Design’ for our aluminium smelting pots reduces energy consumption by 200-250 kWh per tonne and extends pot lifespan, which can cut 386,000 tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually at our Jharsuguda smelter”, Rajiv Kumar, CEO, Vedanta Aluminium
AL Circle is honoured to present an exclusive interview with Rajiv Kumar, CEO of Vedanta Aluminium—India's largest aluminium producer and a key player in driving the nation's industrial growth and sustainability ambitions. In this conversation, Rajiv Kumar discusses Vedanta's transformation journey, its pioneering digital and green initiatives, and how the company is shaping the future of the aluminium industry both in India and globally. AL Circle: Vedanta Aluminium is shifting focus from traditional commodity aluminium to value-added products, aiming to increase VAP share from 60% to over 90%. What are the biggest challenges and opportunities you foresee in accelerating this transformation? Rajiv Kumar: As Vedanta Aluminium accelerates its journey towards becoming a global leader in...
“It is tough to predict the future, especially referring to the president-elect of the USA, who has a reputation for acting quite unpredictably; I prefer not to make too many assumptions,” said Peter Vanvuchelen, Director Sales & Business Development, Hencon
Peter Vanvuchelen, who plays a key role at Hencon, has emphasised the company’s pioneering role in the development of electric and autonomous vehicles tailored for the aluminium industry. Reflecting on Hencon’s over 10 years of experience in this domain, he noted that this decade-long journey has allowed the company to deeply understand the operational challenges and requirements of heavy-duty industrial environments. Predicting the future is challenging, especially with the unpredictability surrounding the incoming U.S. president, known for his often unorthodox policy shifts. However, one relatively safe assumption is Donald Trump’s consistent “America First” stance, which emphasizes bolstering domestic industry. AL Circle: What key strategies and technologies does Hencon implement to...
“Overcoming a very challenging initial phase, solid pillars and core values were naturally built within the company that combined a desire for survival with a constant drive for improvement, innovation and competitiveness to,” Sergio Martínez, CEO, ALEASTUR Group
Sergio Martínez reflected on the company’s origins and evolution, highlighting how it started in 1974 with a modest facility producing refractories and auxiliary materials for the Spanish steel industry. He also elaborated on how the company’s early struggles laid the foundation for its enduring values and strengths. He explained that facing and overcoming significant initial challenges naturally instilled within the organisation a set of solid core values—chief among them a strong will to survive, paired with a relentless drive for improvement, innovation, and competitiveness. These traits became essential as the company moved into an increasingly open and globalised marketplace. Here is an excerpt of his interview with us. AL Circle: Aleastur Group has been producing grain refiners and...
“Predictions are always difficult, and in the case of Mr. Trump, it is perhaps even more difficult,” Klaus Schmitz, Otto Junker
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,...
“For fertiliser, a 2014 field trial conducted in Southland and Otago, New Zealand, evaluated the effectiveness of Clover 1 and B10 fertilisers, produced by Taha Fertiliser Industries, on pasture and crop production,” said Mr Frank Pollmann, Founder, TAHA International
In conversation with Mr. Frank Pollmann, Founder, TAHA International explained how TAHA has revolutionised aluminium dross processing by eliminating the use of salts and chemicals, which are traditionally used but harmful to the environment. He acknowledges that achieving high metal recovery without these additives was challenging. To overcome this, TAHA adopted an innovative approach: locating their processing units close to their clients' furnaces. This smart positioning allows them to use the residual heat already present in the dross, removing the need for additional reheating. The result is a fast, energy-efficient, and environmentally friendly process that can recover up to 90 per cent of the aluminium in the first step. Any remaining metal is then recovered using a second-stage...
