Beyond aluminium smelting capacity, we propose to incentivise emissions cuts to support wider decarbonisation: Ed Boyd, Mission Possible Partnership
As the European Council seeks political alignment on the Industrial Accelerator Act (IAA), the debate over how to accelerate aluminium decarbonisation in bringing emissions accounting and demand for low-carbon metal into focus. Against the backdrop of Mission Possible Partnership’s (MPP) open letter, AL Circle speaks with Ed Boyd, MPP’s Global Policy Lead, about the policies needed to support the European aluminium industry’s transition. Boyd argues that effective decarbonisation must account for emissions from alumina refining and track Scope 2 emissions associated with purchased electricity. On mandatory green procurement and lead-market thresholds of at least 50 per cent for aluminium, he says producers are ready to supply low-carbon metal at scale and considers the proposed threshold...
EU-India FTA, CBAM and carbon costs: Can Indian aluminium crack the European market?
A former Deputy Secretary General of the European Parliament and Director of the EPP Group, Paolo Licandro, has extensive experience in European policymaking, international relations, industry, energy and EU affairs. He is currently the Founder and CEO of eEuropa Belgium and Editor of eEuropa.Blog. He has worked with European prime ministers, ministers and EU commissioners and has held senior roles covering EU enlargement, Mediterranean and Middle East relations, and industry, research and energy. A nuclear engineer, he holds a master’s degree from Politecnico di Milano and has worked with ENI, ARS-Pragma and the EU Joint Research Centre. In this interview, Paolo Licandro shares his perspective on EU–India aluminium trade, CBAM and the opportunities for Indian producers in Europe. AL...
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“To address the aluminium recycling problem and improve sustainability in the industry, RecycleOS allows MRFs to accurately capture missorted cans to increase the recycling rate,” JD Ambati, founder and CEO of EverestLabs
JD Ambati is the founder and CEO of EverestLabs , an artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics company enabling material recovery facilities (MRFs) to digitise and automate recycling. Steeped in more than 20 years of experience across AI, product development, and strategy – JD saw an opportunity to modernise MRFs to enable the decarbonisation of packaging at scale and contribute to a more sustainable environment. Prior to EverestLabs, Ambati grew multiple companies from infancy to maturity and oversaw three exits, including WPP's acquisition of Decide Interactive and 24/7 Real Media for $650M, TPG's strategic investment in Wikia, and Vector Capital's acquisition of Rocket Fuel for $145M. Ambati holds a Master's degree in Computer Science and AI and a Bachelor's degree in Chemical...
“Aluminium is a great distributor and conductor of heat. These are properties that make it an exceptional substrate for cooking and baking,” Coppice Alupack Ltd
Leon Elston – Managing Director, Coppice Alupack Ltd Leon Elston, Managing Director of Coppice, has been with the company for over 11 years. He holds an MBA from the University of Glamorgan and is leading the foil packaging brand to success. Derek Nixon – Senior Director of Strategy and Business Development, Coppice Alupack Ltd Derek Nixon is the Senior Director of Strategy and Business Development at Coppice. He has extensive experience in managing international and national retail concepts, branded supply, and manufacturing. His expertise lies in business control, growth strategies, organisation restructuring, and project/program management. Derek has led large transformational and growth teams in both developing and operational environments, working with traditional and digital revenue...
“Every restriction on the purchase of RUSAL's low-carbon products drives our industry towards higher prices, threatening jobs and punishing families struggling with the ever-increasing cost of living,” Chairman of the En+ Board of Directors
Christopher Bancroft Burnham, formerly the Company’s Senior Independent Director and former Undersecretary General of the United Nations, was appointed Chairman of the En+ Board of Directors in March 2022. Burnham is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Cambridge Global Capital, LLC, headquartered in Washington, D.C. He co-founded Cambridge after a distinguished government, diplomacy, banking, and private equity career. Burnham is a globally recognised expert in the implementation of accountability and transparency and the implementation of best practices in government, corporations, and inter-governmental organisations, having served as Under Secretary General for Management of the United Nations, Under Secretary of State for Management (acting), and Assistant Secretary of State...
“At Rio Tinto, we often say climate change is too big of a problem to go at it alone” Amy Abraham, Vice President Sales Aluminium
Amy Abraham is Vice President of Aluminium Sales at Rio Tinto. She is accountable for global sales and account management, book management, trading activities, and sales and operations planning for Rio Tinto’s aluminium business, which includes bauxite, alumina, and aluminium. Prior to joining Rio Tinto, Amy worked with World Fuel Services as the senior vice president of strategy and chief marketing officer. Reporting to the Chief Executive, Amy was accountable for leading and influencing global, enterprise-wide transformational change across a team of 1500+ market-facing sales and marketing professionals and delivering material, sustainable and profitable growth. She also had a long career at BP, where she worked in senior leadership roles across the US and UK, including Chief of Staff...
“REEL ALESA's good track record within the aluminium smelter industry for providing innovative solutions to implementing upgrades will be to the smelter's advantage,” Bruce Roger Wilson, DIRECTOR – Aluminium Division
Bruce is a successful engineering professional with over 25 years of experience in the primary aluminium industry—a graduate in mechanical engineering and business administration with certification in project management. I have strong business acumen that has developed while working for world-class companies. He has excellent leadership qualities with an ability to mentor and motivate individuals, creating high-performance teams. A strong track record in the successful execution of multi-disciplined projects with high standards in technical, contractual, and managerial roles in green-field and brown-field primary aluminium smelter projects. Bruce currently leads an energetic, innovative, and dynamic team as the Director of the Aluminium Division for REEL INTERNATIONAL. AL Circle: Can you...
“As far as I know, more and more Chinese aluminium smelters are transferring to Indonesia,” Kathy Yuan, Head of Overseas Marketing Department at HWAPENG
Kathy Yuan heads the Overseas Marketing Department at Hwapeng, a prominent manufacturer specialising in specialised equipment for carbon plants. The organisation's product range encompasses anodes, cathodes, graphite electrodes, graphite specialities, carbon electrode paste, ramming paste, crucibles, carbon blocks, and other related carbon or graphite products. AL Circle: Could you briefly overview HWAPENG and its journey in the carbon production machinery industry since its establishment in 1994? What sets HWAPENG apart from other manufacturers in the field of Carbon Paste Preparing & Forming Machines? Kathy Yuan: When it was founded in 1994, Hwapeng's former name was Hwafeng. At that time, it specialised in petroleum equipment for SINOPEC. Along with the economic development in China,...
“EGA has strength from mine to metal and a strong balance sheet to pursue growth,” Abdulnasser Bin Kalban, CEO at Emirates Global Aluminium
Upon his appointment as Chief Executive Officer in 2020, Mr Bin Kalban has served as an Alternate Board Member since May 2017. He also sits on the Board of Guinea Alumina Corporation (GAC), EGA's bauxite mining subsidiary. As CEO, Mr Bin Kalban is responsible for managing EGA's ongoing operations and business and reports to the Managing Director. Mr Bin Kalban joined DUBAL in 1996 and worked in both Major Projects and the Power and Desalination Department. (DUBAL merged with EMAL to form EGA in 2014). In 2014, Mr Kalban left his position as General Manager of Power and Desalination at EGA to become CEO of Dubal Holding LLC, EGA's 50 per cent shareholder. Mr Bin Kalban is a Board Member of the International Aluminium Institute, the Gulf Aluminium Council, and the Emirates Research and...
“I believe electric vehicles will drive the aluminium market. The other important point is about the recycling of aluminium. Aluminium recycling will increase in 2024 and continue to grow in the following years,” Dr.Emrah Fahri Ozdogru, Co-owner and General Manager of TRI Metalurji A.Ş
Dr. Emrah Fahri Ozdogru is Co-owner and General Manager of TRI METALURJI. He is a metallurgist with a PhD degree. He has 25 years of experience in the aluminium industry as a researcher, engineer, and manager at casthouses, extrusion factories, and rolling companies. He established TRI Metalurji A.Ş in 2016, and now has seven engineers and one technician working for the firm. He is also co-owner of LIME Billet Cast house with 8 team members. TRI is an engineering company and works based on the project with the following frames: training, technical consultancy, alloy development, material characterisation lab-scale and pilot-scale aluminium casting. TRI is working with 5%0 domestic market needs and 50% with the other countries, mainly from Europe. AL Circle: Can you provide an overview of...
"Rolled aluminium remains a highly dynamic material with potential for expansion across various markets," Peter De Bruyne, Global Business Director, Non-Ferrous at 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. Having started as a laboratory manager in a rolling mill, he applied this hands-on experience as a technical support manager before transitioning to commercial roles. Today, Peter helps shape the future of aluminium hot rolling, determining the strategic direction of Quaker Houghton, a global leader in industrial process fluids. AL Circle: As a Global Business Director for one of the world's largest industrial process fluid companies, how do you perceive the current global landscape for aluminium rolling? Peter De Bruyne: Rolled aluminium remains a highly dynamic material with potential for expansion across...
“Otto Junker outperforms other companies in the field of furnaces for aluminium by two significant technologies: High-convection heating technology and induction heating technology,” Klaus Schmitz, Dipl.-Ing, Vice President Sales, Thermoprocessing Plants for Aluminium- and Copper at Otto Junker
Klaus Schmitz started working with Otto Junker in 1996 as a Project engineer for the Thermoprocessing of Plants. Subsequently, he was promoted to Project Manager, Leader of Product Group, and Division Manager of Thermoprocessing plants for Copper alloys. Since 2017, he is serving the German company as Vice President Sales, Thermoprocessing Plants for Aluminium and Copper. Born in 1968, Klaus Schmitz completed his master's degree in mechanical engineering from RWTH Aachen University. AL Circle: Can you briefly overview Otto Junker's history and contributions to heat treatment in the aluminium industry? Mr Klaus Schmitz, Dipl.-Ing: Mr Otto Junker founded our company exactly 100 years ago, in 1924. The foundation was mainly based on a patented casting mould for brass, which was invented by...
“The aluminium industry, and indeed the global economy, has had a turbulent few years, which have continued to this present day”, Michael Rockstroh, Managing Director at RiA Cast House Engineering GmbH and Fioscope GmbH
Michael Rockstroh is a seasoned professional with a diverse skill set spanning project management, equipment design, engineering services, and business development. Specialising in cast house machinery for the aluminium industry, Michael excels in designing and implementing innovative solutions, particularly in furnace charging and skimming machines. His expertise extends to cast house processes and furnace operations, and he is proficient in furnace design, manufacturing, and installation/commissioning. With a proven track record of success, Michael brings knowledge and experience to every project he undertakes. AL Circle: Before we discuss RiA in more detail, how do you envision the global aluminium industry in 2024? Could you offer insights into its long-term outlook beyond 2024?...
“Driving forward grain refinement with efficiency at the heart,” John Courtenay, chairman of MQP
Studying metallurgy at the University of Aston, BSc (Hons), John started at Foseco International, working his way through ONC, HNC and LIM, before being seconded to Foseco Canada for three years to work on an exciting new product for steel continuous casting plants, going onto hold a number of international marketing and technical positions before joining Foseco Japan as general manager of their steel mills division, returning to Foseco International in 1983. In 1986, he switched from steel to aluminium, starting a long association with aluminium casthouse technology as Director of Technology and Marketing of Foseco Aluminium. After selling this business to Pyrotek, he used his experience to form MQP Limited, which celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2020. AL Circle: How do you foresee the...
“There will be no green transition without aluminium and aluminium solutions. But for this development to be sustainable, we need to produce with as low a carbon footprint as possible,” Paul Warton, EVP Hydro Extrusions.
Paul Warton (born in 1961, a British citizen) is Executive Vice President and Head of Hydro Extrusions, a position he has held since 2021. Prior to that, Warton was President of Extrusions & Automotive Structures, Constellium (2010-2020). He has 30 years of experience in the global aluminium and extrusion industry, with leadership positions at Sapa, Alcoa, and Luxfer Group, as well as 10 years of experience in production and commercial management at Federal-Mogul and GKN. Paul Warton is a member (Treasurer) of the Executive Committee of European Aluminium. Warton has an MBA from London Business School and a BSc degree in Production Engineering from the University of Birmingham. AL Circle: Please provide your valuable insights into the current trends shaping the global aluminium extrusion...
“The aluminium industry in 2024 is expected to be shaped by decarbonisation efforts, with China and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region being significant players in the global market”, Dr Matthias Irle, Executive Vice President - Business Unit Metals at EMG Automation GmbH.
Dr Matthias Irle is a highly accomplished Electrical Engineer specialising in Automation Engineering. He holds a Dipl. Ing. Elektrotechnik from Universität-Gesamthochschule Siegen, Germany, and a Doctorate in Engineering. With over two decades at EMG Automation GmbH, he has held key positions including Head of Quality Assurance Systems and Technical Director. Since January 2021, he has served as Executive Vice President, leading the Business Unit Metals, showcasing his dedication, expertise, and leadership in the field. ALCircle: How do you envision the global aluminium industry in 2024? Which manufacturing industry will be the key demand driver for aluminium? Dr Matthias Irle: In general, the aluminium industry in 2024 is expected to be shaped by decarbonisation efforts, with China and...
“Aluminium is a critical material for the transition to a green economy,” Ulf Nahrath, Vice President of Energy Transition & Infrastructure at Shell UK
Ulf Nahrath assumed his position at Shell UK in 2022, spearheading the company's dynamic energy transition initiative. His responsibilities encompass integrating low-carbon assets into the energy landscape, including wind and solar power generation, hydrogen technology, and carbon capture and storage solutions. Ulf's leadership extends to advancing sustainable aviation fuel initiatives and facilitating the expansion of electric vehicle charging infrastructure. AL Circle: Future decarbonisation solutions for high-energy users like aluminium production and manufacturing have been a major topic of discussion over the past few years. How have technologies evolved during this time? Ulf Nahrath: As companies face increasing pressure to demonstrate their progress towards reaching net-zero goals,...
“Over the past years, primary metal smelters in Canada have incrementally moved towards digitalisation, focusing on automation and robotisation,” Jean Simard, President and Chief Executive Officer of Aluminium Association of Canada
As President and CEO of the Aluminium Association of Canada since 2009, Jean Simard is the industry’s official representative and spokesperson with governments, business associations and the media, as well as with international organisations linked to the industry. He holds a degree in Civil Law from the University of Ottawa and is a member of the Barreau du Québec. He possesses extensive professional experience in public and government relations, mainly in sustainable development, energy, and environmental affairs. Prior to joining the AAC, he was Vice-President of Sustainable Development, Public and Governmental Affairs at Gaz Métro, a Quebec-based energy company. AL Circle: How do you foresee the growth of the aluminium industry in Canada? Which end-user sector do you think will drive...
The announcement of Mytilineos as GIADEC’s strategic partner for Project 3A will be the turning point for the country’s aluminium industry - Mr. Michael Ansah CEO, Ghana Integrated Aluminium Development Corporation (GIADEC)
In 2018, Michael Ansah was appointed by the President of Ghana, His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, to lead the development of an Integrated Aluminium Industry in Ghana. GIADEC is harnessing Ghana’s 900 million tonnes bauxite reserves, its ownership of Valco, as well as its minority stake in Ghana Bauxite Company Ltd., to build and establish a fully Integrated Aluminium Industry (IAI), leveraging the full value chain of bauxite mining, alumina refining, and aluminium smelting, and giving credence to the President’s vision of a “Ghana Beyond Aid”. He holds an MBA from Cranfield School of Management, UK. Prior to his appointment as CEO of GIADEC, Michael was Senior Vice President (SVP) at Dell Technologies, with responsibilities for Global operations across over 180 countries. In a...
Sustainable packaging is here to stay! An interview with Victoria Marletta of Aerosol Packaging at Ball Corporation
As we turn the page to a new year, sustainability remains a key trend that will dominate the metal packaging industry. The Metal Packager’s Iris Arsic asked Victoria Marletta, commercial vice president, Aerosol Packaging at Ball Corporation, about key developments in the company’s eco-friendly aerosol packaging solutions. Here, she talks about Eyeris, Ball’s proprietary enhanced printing technology, previously used in its beverage business and now widely available to aerosol customers to provide standout shelf appeal and attract consumers with premium packaging design. Marletta also gives insights into the challenges to making sustainable packaging and shortlists trends that will shape the aluminium aerosol can industry. The Metal Packager: In January 2023, Ball Aerosol Packaging became...
