With more than 85% of its primary aluminium needs met through imports, Europe faces significant supply risks. At the same time, raw materials account for 60–80% of production costs, placing downstream manufacturers—mostly SMEs—under considerable pressure. FACE calls on the EU to:
- Suspend the 6% import tariff on unwrought aluminium to reduce costs for European manufacturers.
- Assess the impact of restrictions on Russian aluminium and consider a derogation quota aligned with downstream industry needs.
- Improve access to low-carbon primary aluminium, with a clear definition and appropriate CBAM exemptions.
- Strengthen the EU scrap supply through measures to retain and increase the use of recycled aluminium, while supporting collection, sorting and SMEs.
- Address unfair competition in low-carbon products through effective trade defence instruments.
- Reinforce Europe’s industrial energy base, including through the development of nuclear energy, SMRs and microreactors.
FACE stresses that economic security requires more than diversifying suppliers: it also means ensuring competitive raw material costs and preserving Europe’s manufacturing capacity.
The objective is clear: strengthen Europe’s supply resilience without undermining the competitiveness of the companies that transform aluminium into essential products |
