Secondary aluminium in Italy, France and Belgium: 65 Kt recycled, 490 Kt produced & over 1 Mt processed annually

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Europe's aluminium industry is undergoing a structural transformation as manufacturers increasingly turn towards secondary aluminium to address rising energy costs, decarbonisation requirements and supply-chain challenges. While the European aluminium market is projected to grow from USD 30.84 billion in 2025 to USD 57 billion by 2035, the region’s primary aluminium production base has continued to shrink, creating a stronger reliance on recycled metal and circular material flows.

The number of active primary smelters in the European Union declined from 23 in 2002 to 11 in 2022, resulting in primary aluminium output falling from 2.7 million tonnes to 1.2 million tonnes. At the same time, secondary aluminium has become increasingly important, accounting for more than 60 per cent of European aluminium production.

The transition is largely driven by economics and sustainability. Secondary aluminium production requires less energy than primary production and generates only around 4-5 per cent of the greenhouse gas emissions associated with coal-based primary aluminium.