The European Aluminium Association and energy experts call for a bold EU energy agenda

The European Aluminium discussed with industry experts and policymakers the future of Europe’s energy infrastructure following the ongoing energy crisis during its annual Spring Meetings 2022, where both the industry and energy sector stressed the need to facilitate affordable and low-carbon energy uptake for industrial users to support navigate the current crisis while meeting the EU’s target for climate neutrality.

European Aluminium commenced its 2022 Spring Meetings with a cross-industry stakeholder debate on “Fit for net-zero: Industrial decarbonisation in an energy-sensitive environment”. The event, bringing together Europe’s aluminium players from more than 600 facilities in 30 European nations, welcomed officials and industry experts from the energy sector, including the International Energy Agency, the Cabinet of EU Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson, SolarPowerEurope, Eurelectric, FORATOM, and Eurogas.

Europe’s aluminium industry had to inactive approximately 900,000 tonnes of its primary production since the start of the energy crisis in autumn 2021Downstream and recycling companies are also increasingly affected by the rising energy prices, which have been further exacerbated by the war in Ukraine. Especially in the short- to medium-term, the transition from gas to alternative power sources such as green hydrogen will be restricted by infrastructural and technical limitations. Today, access to affordable and green electricity is, even more, a matter of survival for the electrointensive primary aluminium producers in Europe. To date, almost half of EU27 production has been curtailed.

Ingrid Jörg, the Chairman of European Aluminium said, “There is no doubt that current economic consequences have heavily impacted European businesses and particularly aluminium, which is already facing tremendous challenges at a global level like unfair trade practices and higher energy costs. This crisis has stepped up the urgency for Europe to boost its resilience in low-carbon energy sources and raw materials strategic to the Green Deal. We believe the RePowerEurope Communication represents a positive step in the right direction in the short term, but we will need thorough and systemic actions to ensure the twin imperatives of a sustainable Europe with a strong industrial basis. We, therefore, urge EU policymakers to define long-term mechanisms to facilitate the production, accessibility, and consumption of decarbonised energy at globally competitive prices.”

The event also highlighted the need to foster cross-sectoral cooperation to address the green transition and ensure Europe’s leading role. Aluminium companies from across the value chain showcased important decarbonisation efforts and breakthrough technology developments that are on the horizon to successfully enable Europe’s mid-century objectives.

The Spring Meetings 2022 were the first in-person edition in two years and opened the doors to European Aluminium’s growing membership, including the Association’s most recent member Aluminium Oxid Stade (AOS). The industry association now counts over 100 member companies from across the continent and value chain, representing around 85% of all European aluminium production (EU, UK, EFTA, and Turkey).

Paul Voss, Director General at European Aluminium stated, “As newly-appointed Director General of European Aluminium, I am particularly proud to see such a strong and committed membership. It is crucial to remain united in these challenging times, driving a common agenda with one single voice. Aluminium has an enormous potential when it comes to enabling the green transition, and the more we work together, the faster we achieve our commitments in key areas such as energy, circular economy, trade, innovation and sustainability.”