Aluminium, Italy recycles over 70% and exceeds EU targets. Start of the Italy-Russia Forum.

[Link to original article here, translation performed by CONSENSO]

The first Russian-Italian Aluminium Forum (24-25 June) will be focused on the strategic role that the light metal and its alloys will play in the upcoming years. Organised by Metef and by the Russian Aluminium Association, this trade fair dedicated to aluminium will be attended by representatives of trade associations, entrepreneurs, technicians, and designers from both countries.

Goals

Russia is one of the world’s leading producers of primary aluminium with a low carbon footprint, while Italy (like the entire EU) needs to import the unwrought primary metal for its industries. As regards recycling, Italy recycles over 70% of the material placed on the market, being one of the most virtuous countries together with Germany and after the United States and Japan. In particular, the European Union aims at achieving Net 0 by 2050 and it also strives to maximise waste recycling by reaching 50% by 2025 and 60% by 2030. The aforementioned levels have already been largely exceeded by our country.

The Italian industry
“The Italian aluminium recycling industry is a model. All the member companies, while operating independently, share a responsibility for their role in achieving the most challenging goals in the dynamics of the waste management system”. said Mr. Stellini (one of the speakers at the Forum), communications and external relations manager of CIAL, the non-profit Consortium that, within Conai, brings together the key players of the entire industrial chain.

Tonnes
47,400 tonnes of aluminium packaging will be recycled in 2020, equal to 68.7% of the total 69,000 tonnes placed on the market, to which 4,500 tonnes of thin packaging must be added, these latter will be employed for incineration.

Sustainable material
In line with the principles of the circular economy, aluminium is a highly recyclable material and it is also environmentally friendly. In the packaging sector it allows the reduction of food waste and organic waste thanks to the barrier effect that guarantees a long and safe preservation of products. Thus, Stellini prefers to speak of ‘resource’ rather than ‘waste’.

The Italian Model
The Italian model, born in 1997 with the Ronchi decree, is a reference model in other countries, stressed Stellini. “Italy, being a country poor in raw materials, has always been oriented towards their recovery. We have exceeded EU targets. We want to continue to be an excellent model and I have no doubt that there will also be a further boost thanks to technological development. With the NRRP, important investments will be made to upgrade aluminium recycling plants.”

https://face-aluminium.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Corriere-della-Sera.pdf