European Aluminium Industry to support EU Green Deal: European Aluminium

The European aluminium industry is well-equipped to support the European Green Deal announced by the EU on November 11.

European Aluminium, the ambassador of the industry said in a press release that the aluminium industry has already designed a bold strategy that can cut CO2 emissions in primary aluminium smelting by up to 70% by 2050 and save an extra 1500 million tonnes of CO2 emissions through increased recycling. The industry even plans to save an extra 1500 million tonnes of CO2 emissions through recycling.

“The European aluminium industry wants to drive the deep transformative policies and practices that are needed to realise the carbon-neutral and circular economy in Europe. The industry is already delivering on its aim to realise the industry’s greenhouse gas reduction potential set out in our sustainability roadmap. The carbon intensity of primary aluminium production in Europe decreased by 21% versus 2010 and by 55% versus 1990 1,” said Gerd Götz, Director General of European Aluminium.

EU has designed the Green Deal as a policy framework that is comprised of a number of policy proposals covering various aspects like climate, energy, environment, circular economy and industrial policy. This is aimed at decarbonisation of Europe while reshaping the economy.

“We expect the Green Deal to be the compass of Europe’s growth strategy but also to deliver the necessary policy foundations for European businesses to invest and ‘strive for more,’” he added.

He expects the deal to put an end to fragmented policy making while putting up a bold step towards introducing a bold and complementary industrial strategy, which will emphasise on free and fair trade, revised competition policy, easy energy access and a circular economy.

European Aluminium released its Vision 2050 report earlier, which articulates a clear outlook for the development of a carbon-neutral, circular, and energy-efficient aluminium value chain in Europe by 2050.

According to the press release global aluminium demand would grow by 50% by 2050. In Europe, aluminium demand will be met by primary aluminium and recycled aluminium by 50:50. It claims that if supported by right policies, the CO2 emissions from primary smelting can be reduced by up to 70% compared to 2014. Increased recycling can save an extra 1500 million tonnes of CO2 emissions by 2050, further contributing to decarbonisation and the circular economy.