Aluminium industry sets out Roadmap to ‘lighten the load’ by 2050

Brussels, 1 March 2012: Today the European Aluminium Association (EAA) presented the “Aluminium 2050 Roadmap to a low-carbon Europe”. Despite the recent and announced closures and curtailments of smelters in Europe, the aluminium industry is committed to further reducing its overall emissions and, as the Roadmap shows, it could reach up to 79% reductions by 2050.

According to Patrick de Schrynmakers, EAA Secretary General, ″This industry has already achieved a record 50% reduction of CO2 emissions since 1990 in Europe, but we are determined to do more. One should not forget that the use of aluminium in transport, buildings, solar panels, packaging, etc. helps saving millions of tonnes of CO2 every year”. However, the European production of primary metal is severely affected by carbon leakage and only if granted the right conditions to operate, the industry will be able to be competitive and continue its strategic role in providing innovative materials for climate protection and the European downstream industry.

The main challenge of the European aluminium industry remains the EU electricity prices. These put the industry at a competitive disadvantage, compared to other global players that do not produce in Europe and do not bear the CO2 costs in electricity, and trigger carbon leakage which is certainly not bringing global environmental gains. Compensation for these costs is vital for an industry, which cannot pass on the CO2 imposed costs to its customers, since it is subject to a global pricing mechanism on the London Metals Exchange.

″Local use, production and recycling of aluminium not only save natural resources, but also bring growth and jobs. We need to avoid carbon leakage and enable the survival of the industry in Europe, in order to help EU achieve its sustainability goals.” Mr de Schrynmakers concluded.

The aluminium industry’s Roadmap entitled ″Lightening the Load″ is a response to the European Commission’s Communication, setting out the Roadmap for moving to a competitive low-carbon economy in 2050.

About European Aluminium Association:
The European Aluminium Association, founded in 1981, represents the European aluminium industry from alumina and primary production to semi-finished and end-use products, through to recycling. The European aluminium industry directly employs about 255,000 people.

Contact:
EAA Press Office c/o Grayling
Avenue des Arts 46
1000 Brussels Belgium

Tel +32 (0)2 738 17 82
Email [email protected]