Mario Conserva on Rai Radio 1: global aluminium crisis and risks for the European supply chain
FACE Secretary General Mario Conserva, during his interview on Rai Radio 1, highlighted the ongoing crisis in the global aluminium market, with prices rising by 45–47% in just six months. Recent damage to production facilities in the Middle East, including key players such as Emirates Global Aluminium and Aluminium Bahrain, has resulted in a reduction of around 1.8 million tonnes of output. While not massive on a global scale, this shock has significant implications for Europe, which produces very little primary aluminium and relies on imports for around 85% of its needs.
This structural dependence makes the EU particularly vulnerable to geopolitical tensions and disruptions along strategic chokepoints such as the Strait of Hormuz. At the same time, aluminium remains a critical material for key sectors — from automotive to construction and packaging — making it even more urgent to secure stable supplies.
In this context, FACE stresses the need for pragmatic solutions to protect supply chains, strengthen industrial resilience and ensure continuous access to a raw material that is essential for the European economy.
The full episode is available here.
