A Strong, Sustainable

& Complete

European Value Chain

The European aluminium value chain is one of Europe’s most complete and thriving raw materials sectors, with over 600 plants across 30 European countries. Serving six out of the EU’s fourteen industrial ecosystems, the European aluminium industry plays a key enabling role in realising the European Green Deal.

Key Facts & Figures

100

+

European Aluminium members

600

+

plants across Europe (EU, EFTA, UK, Turkey)

2.1

billion in European investments

9

million tonnes – yearly European demand for primary aluminium

18

million tonnes - the forecasted total European demand for aluminium in 2050

Industry & Market Data

  • Choose your graph
  • Industry overview
  • Primary production
  • Aluminium exports

A thriving and complete European value chain

Europe has a well established and complete aluminium value chain; from mining to reycling. Discover which plants are located in your country by using the map below! Our members are a mix of multinationals and small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). While multinationals often own smelters and rolling mills, the vast majority of the extrusion and recycling plants are SMEs. All serve as important actors within local communities.

Europe increasingly relies on aluminium imports

To meet the growing demand for aluminium, more and more is imported from third countries. This is because European producers are struggling to remain competitive due to the energy crisis and an unlevel playingfield for trade. Below you can see an overview of Europe's aluminium supply broken down into three sections: imports, European secondary alumininium production (recycling) and European primary aluminium production. One thing is clear: Europe cannot afford to become more dependent on unreliable trade materials for a material that is a critical component in virtually all low-carbon technologies: from batteries to electric vehicles and wind and solar power to energy-efficient buildings. Increasing and preserving the capacity of Europe’s low-carbon primary aluminium production and world-class recycling sector is the only way to meet growing demand and overcome import dependencies.

Our Competitive Edge

                       

A low carbon footprint

The carbon footprint of Europe’s primary production process is much lower than the global average, with only 6.8 kg of CO2 emissions compared to the global average of 16.1 kg CO2 per kg of aluminium produced. We have already reduced the carbon intensity of primary aluminium production by 50% since 1990. Our semi-fabrication and recycling processes have equally reduced their carbon intensity, making us a best-in-class producer. But we don’t stop there: we are committed to reaching carbon-neutrality by 2050.

A holistic sustainability approach

In 2015, the European aluminium industry already incorporated a holistic approach to sustainability in its Sustainability Roadmap. Our members apply the highest environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards across the entire aluminium value chain, from sourcing raw materials to managing end-of-life products.

Innovation champions

Our companies are innovation catalysts for circular economy, decarbonisation, and disruptive technologies. We are investing over two billion euros into research and innovation to achieve our sustainability targets and participate in multiple EU-funded innovation projects with other sectors.

A complete value chain – from A to Z

There is an established and complete aluminium value chain in Europe, with more than 600 plants ranging from raw materials (e.g. bauxite and alumina), primary metal production, semi-fabrication (e.g. rolling and extrusion), and recycling. A complete value chain enables us to withstand external shocks and provide the strategic goods, skills, industrial know-how, and technologies Europe needs to reach its sustainability objectives and maintain industrial leadership.