Aluminium and critical raw materials

Aluminium and critical raw materials

The recent debate in the Italian Chamber of Deputies on critical raw materials of strategic interest is a compulsory step to identify the resources needed for energy transition and industrial sustainability. The bill converting Law Decree No. 84 dated June 25th 2024 aims to strengthen Italy’s resilience in the sector of critical raw materials, which are essential for the green and digital transition. The measure fits into the framework of the objectives outlined by (EU) Regulation 2024/1252, known as the Critical Raw Materials Act (CRM Act), which aims to ensure a secure and sustainable supply of these resources, which are indispensable for strategic sectors such as aerospace, defence and renewable energy.

“To optimise the effectiveness of the draft law – said our President and CEO Mario Conserva in the last editorial for the magazine A&L Alluminio e Leghe – we consider it essential to include specific measures promoting the recycling of non-ferrous metals, such as aluminium”.

The aluminium sector in Europe faces significant challenges, including dependence on raw material imports and high energy costs. Aluminium is an essential resource for Europe’s future and its recycling is a priority quality, requiring only 5% of the energy needed to produce primary aluminium. The draft law under discussion is an important answer to these challenges, as it aims to secure the supply of critical raw materials, reducing dependence on external supplies and promoting recycling and sustainability.

We propose extending the monitoring already established for ferrous scrap also to copper and aluminium scrap. Finally, and a key point if we really want to ensure a stable supply of critical raw materials, the elimination of import duty on raw aluminium within the EU can no longer be postponed. This duty increases the costs for European manufacturing industries, reducing their competitiveness at global level, and the end-user segment, which accounts for more than 90% of the segment’s turnover and is overwhelmingly made up of SMEs, is damaged. The elimination of this duty on raw metal means cheaper access to the raw material primary aluminium, of which the EU is short of 85% thus supporting the growth and sustainability of the sector.

We fully support this measure with the hope that further measures will be introduced to promote recycling, efficient use of resources, and correct and fair access to materials. By fostering proper cooperation between institutions and industry, thinking of our small and medium-sized companies and not of the interests of large multinational lobbies, we can ensure a more sustainable and competitive future for the aluminium supply chain in Europe.

Here the editorial by our President and CEO Mario Conserva for the magazine A&L-Alluminio e Leghe: https://www.calameo.com/publitec/read/00727436318e9b4b08966