On November 28th, Rome’s historic Ara Pacis Augustae hosted the Conference “A Green Competitiveness Agenda for Europe,” organized by FACE in collaboration with Consenso Europa. The event marked not only a significant dialogue on the future of the European aluminium industry but also the 25th anniversary of FACE, which since 1999 has been defending the interests of EU independent aluminium transformers, end users and consumers, constantly fighting for an EU green competitiveness agenda oriented towards SMEs and for the strengthening of the entire aluminium value chain in our continent.
The gathering brought together institutional representatives, industry experts, and key players from the Italian and European manufacturing sectors. The central message? Europe’s aluminium industry is at a crossroads, requiring radical change to ensure its competitive and sustainable future. We must reindustrialise to decarbonise.
A Call for Change
At the core of the discussions was the recognition that the EU aluminium value chain – critical to the continent’s manufacturing ecosystem – must adapt to modern challenges. The push for sustainability, alignment with SMEs, and green competitiveness has never been more urgent. The Conference underscored the necessity of systemic change to support industry resilience in an increasingly competitive global market.
Notable Speakers
Moderated by journalist Giancarlo Loquenzi, the Conference featured an impressive panel of speakers, including:
- Massimo Garavaglia, President of the Finance Committee of the Senate and former Minister of Tourism (Italy);
- Valentino Valentini, Deputy Minister at the Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy;
- Mario Conserva, Founder and President of FACE;
- Tullio Ambrosone, Chief of Staff to the EU Rapporteur for the Future of the Single Market Enrico Letta;
- Cesare Pozzi, Professor at LUISS Guido Carli University;
- Franco Bonollo, President of iNEST;
- Giovanni Brussato, Mining engineer;
- Roberto Bolognini, Sales and Marketing Director at Profilglass;
- Paolo Gerli, President of Assofermet Metalli;
- Maurizio Sala, President of Foundry Ecocer and VP of Amafond;
- Tiziana Tronci, Board Member of Gefond;
- Roger Bertozzi, Co-founder of FACE, in charge of European and Multilateral Affairs.
Looking Ahead
As stakeholders united in this dialogue, the event echoed a clear message: the future of European industry depends on bold action and collaboration. The Conference’s outcomes set the stage for continued efforts to advance a “Green Competitiveness Agenda” that aligns environmental responsibility with economic strength. FACE’s 25-year legacy serves as both a milestone and a call to action for all industry players, policymakers, and consumers. The journey toward a more sustainable and competitive future for European aluminium is far from over.
