“The primary task of the Polish Aluminium Association is to promote the use of aluminium in all possible applications. In doing so, we inevitably promote the use of recycled aluminium”, Andrzej Michalski-Stępkowski, President of Polish Aluminium Association

“The primary task of the Polish Aluminium Association is to promote the use of aluminium in all possible applications. In doing so, we inevitably promote the use of recycled aluminium”, Andrzej Michalski-Stępkowski, President of Polish Aluminium Association.

Andrzej Michalski-Stępkowski has been associated to the Polish metal market for over 20 years. Having initially served as a journalist and editor at Rzeczpospolita, one of Poland's most widely circulated daily newspapers, and later transitioned into the role of publisher for 'Nowa Stal' Magazine. Since 2016, he has held the position of President of the Polish Stainless Steel Association. In 2021, he assumed the role of the inaugural President of the Polish Aluminium Association, and he continues to lead both organizations to this day.

AL Circle: Can you provide us with an overview of the role of the Polish Aluminium Association in promoting aluminium recycling? What are the main objectives of the Polish Aluminium Association regarding aluminium recycling?

Andrzej Michalski-Stępkowski: The Polish Aluminium Association is a national industry organisation that brings together leading companies operating in the Polish aluminium market. Our members include manufacturing companies that produce, for example, flat products or aluminium profiles. In addition, the Polish Aluminium Association brings together entities from the broad business environment, e.g. distribution and processing companies, suppliers of services and products for the aluminium industry and end users of aluminium.

No primary aluminium is produced in Poland. However, our country is one of the largest European producers of secondary aluminium made from recycled aluminium scrap. This material is then used for the further production of particular products. They make their way, among others, to the transportation, automotive, construction, energy and many other industries.

The primary task of the Polish Aluminium Association is to promote the use of aluminium in all possible applications. In doing so, we inevitably promote the use of recycled aluminium. In our activities, we emphasise the message in which we explain how the development of secondary aluminium production is beneficial for the environment. This message is fully correlated with the marketing activities undertaken by individual Polish Aluminium Association member companies. This allows us to jointly build a positive image of aluminium as an ecological material that fully meets the requirements of modern industry.       

AL Circle: Could you describe the current state of aluminium recycling in Poland and any challenges that must be addressed? What initiatives or programs has the Polish Aluminium Association implemented to encourage and facilitate aluminium recycling?

Andrzej Michalski-Stępkowski: The challenges faced by the Polish aluminium industry are common to the entire European sector. Increasing operating costs, including those related to the purchase of electricity or gas, are a major problem. In addition, there is currently limited demand for aluminium products, as well as uncertainty related to geopolitical turmoil and the need to compete with suppliers outside the European Union who are not subject to the strict requirements of the EU environmental policy.

In these challenging conditions, the Polish aluminium industry is doing quite well. This is evidenced by the positive results of the companies and the scale of their investments.

At the Polish Aluminium Association, we support our members in activities related to the promotion of aluminium. At the beginning of 2023, we launched the marketing and educational program “Aluminium. A green future.” Its main task is to reach all people who may have an impact on the use of aluminium with a message emphasising the advantages of this material, including its environmental friendliness resulting from unlimited recycling.  

AL Circle: How does the Polish Aluminium Association collaborate with other stakeholders, such as government agencies, businesses, and consumers, to promote aluminium recycling?

Andrzej Michalski-Stępkowski: We are constantly in contact with representatives of the Polish government. In this way, we make sure that the voice of the Polish aluminium industry is heard and that the interests of the companies operating in it are protected. We also cooperate with the largest Polish scientific and research institutions. We undertake joint activities aimed at the development of production processes, including those related to the production and processing of recycled aluminium.

AL Circle: Can you share any success stories or best practices from other countries that inspire the Polish Aluminium Association's efforts in aluminium recycling?

Andrzej Michalski-Stępkowski: The greatest inspiration for the activities undertaken by the Polish Aluminium Association is the experiences of European Aluminium – a European organisation that brings together entities from our industry. A significant part of its activity is related to the broadly understood recycling of aluminium or the promotion of aluminium as an ecological, modern and necessary material for green industrial transformation in Europe.

In a similar manner, we want to develop the message that comes from the Polish Aluminium Association. That is why, for example, we use publications prepared by EA in activities related to the campaign “Aluminium. A green future.” This offers many advantages. One of them is that we can prove that the challenges faced by the aluminium industry, including the aluminium recycling sector, are common to the whole of Europe. And only joint actions can result in tangible benefits.