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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“Anodizing is one of the most environmentally friendly surface treatment processes for aluminium,” Anne Deacon Juhl, Owner, AluConsult
Anne Deacon Juhl is a seasoned expert with over 25 years of dedicated experience in the realm of aluminium and anodizing. With a PhD in pulse anodizing, she is well-versed in both research and practical applications. Anne has served as a consultant for numerous global companies, offering invaluable insights and training to optimize their anodizing processes. Her versatile background includes stints as a quality manager in an anodizing firm and a production supervisor in the aerospace sector. With a passion for precision and a keen eye for detail, Anne has encountered and conquered virtually every challenge imaginable in the world of anodizing, making her a trusted authority in the field. AL Circle: Could you provide a brief overview of anodizing aluminium products and how this process...
“Thermika's technology has significantly impacted the global aluminium extrusion industry”, Charbel Saliba, Director at Thermika Systems Onc.
Charbel Saliba, with a background in economics, ventured into entrepreneurial endeavours shortly after completing his university studies. He successfully built and sold several businesses independently before his career took a significant turn. This pivotal moment came when his father-in-law introduced him to the industrial heating industry. He gained extensive knowledge about the field and business operations in general from his father-in-law's mentoring and guidance. This support proved invaluable as Charbel navigated this new industry. Reflecting on these experiences, Charbel expresses deep gratitude, recognising their crucial role in shaping his professional journey. These formative experiences have led to his current success and the accomplished professional he is today. AL Circle:...
“The increasing penetration of BEVs into the automotive market has been a strong driving force for aluminium extrusions,” Jason Weber, Vice President of Operations and Government Affairs, Aluminium Extruders Council (AEC)
Jason Weber is the Vice President of Operations and Government Affairs for the Aluminium Extruders Council (AEC). Previously, Jason was the Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Taber Extrusions LLC and held various positions with Alumax, Alcoa, Sapa, and Hydro. Jason holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Management and Marketing from Minot State University in North Dakota. He has over 25 years of global sales, marketing, business development, and manufacturing experience working within the entire aluminium extrusion continuum. He has worked with internal and external partners to help drive product definitions, designs, strategic planning initiatives, and industry relationships that maximise revenue, improve customer experiences, enhance brand value, and enhance the overall value of...
“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,...
