“After the Covid period, Europe's building & construction industry has grown well, thanks to the Government's incentive offerings, particularly in Italy,” Alberto Pomari, Development Director of FACE

We have with us Mr Alberto Pomari, Development Director of FACE – The Federation of Aluminium Consumers in Europe. The Brussels-based Federation of Aluminium Consumers in Europe (FACE) is the voice of Europe’s aluminium users and consumers, having members from many of the top aluminium downstream stakeholders. The Federation was founded in May 1999 by independent European aluminium transformers, aiming to promote the continent’s downstream aluminium sector and establish the versatility of the metal by showcasing its economic, social and environmental virtues. In 2018, FACE’s members used 780,000 tonnes of aluminium.

Let us know from Mr Pomari the current demand and consumption of aluminium in European buildings and construction and what role FACE is playing to drive the growth.

AL Circle: How much aluminium is used in Europe's building & construction sector?

Alberto Pomari: Aluminium in the building and construction sector covers around 20% of the total European aluminium consumption. If we only consider extrusion market, the percentage is about 40%. In general, we can say that 2.5 million tonnes of aluminium are used today in this segment in Europe. Apparently, aluminium in the building sector is suffering the competition with PVC windows frames. PVC is now predominant because of its low cost and availability. Most parts of PVC frames are cheap but often very low-quality. We are not considering other aspects like environmental issues.

ALCircle: As a federation representing European aluminium consumers, what initiatives are you taking to promote aluminium usage in the domestic B&C sector?

Alberto Pomari: We are launching and promoting a vital campaign inviting final users to buy aluminium windows. We are talking to the most important producers and dealers to support a strong movement promoting light metal. “UNITY IS STRENGTH” will be the leitmotiv of this campaign. Speaking about the use of lightweight metal in traditional residential construction, FACE aims a lot beyond the enhancement of traditional qualitative applications of light metal in the growth and development of a structural type, not only in residential, monumental, industrial and commercial but also in infrastructures, bridges, street furniture, and temporary structures. The basic concept is that of rewarding the intelligent use of light metal in the construction sector, it should be remembered in perspective that a possible road map of the use of metal provides self-limitation to the uncontrolled diffusion of the use of aluminium, at least until create alternative energy solutions for the primary.

AL Circle: What aluminium product is primarily used in European buildings?

Alberto Pomari: Naturally, extrusions and sheets are the most common materials used in the B&C sector. Today, a significant portion of curtain walls is being constructed using aluminium frames, profiles and sheets. In the window sector, though overtaken by PVC, light metal is very well used in sliding windows, balconies, solar tents, large window frames and so on. In general, aluminium windows are preferred for quality and aesthetic beauty. Aluminium is also irreplaceable for the wide range of solutions available in painted and anodized finishes. In this case much superior to the possibilities offered by PVC.

AL Circle: Has the recession in Europe affected aluminium consumption for buildings & construction?

Alberto Pomari: After the Covid period, Europe's building & construction industry has grown well, thanks to the Government's incentive offerings, particularly in Italy, which have created a strong demand for building revamping in the past two years. Those constructions are continuing even if incentives have stopped. But otherwise, the overall aluminium demand in our sector is suffering in the particular situation of the European economy.

AL Circle: How much will Europe's building & construction sector contribute to domestic aluminium consumption this year?

Alberto Pomari: As I have already mentioned that aluminium is suffering from the competition of new alternative materials, but still being an essential material used in the building & construction sector. We believe this year will be a good one but not as much as the last year. At the end of the day, aluminium will remain a strategic material for the building industry in Europe. The new laws asking to reduce the CO2 content may convince better to embrace aluminium for buildings & construction.

AL Circle: How much economic growth in Europe do you expect to be contributed by aluminium in 2023?

Alberto Pomari: The economy in Europe is not performing well this year, but aluminium will help the whole market to find solutions and possibly new applications.