Enabling the circular economy with aluminium

Our strategy for reaching full circularity

The aluminium industry is a key driver in achieving Europe’s ambitions for a climate-neutral and circular economy. Aluminium is circular and fit for multiple recycling: it can be recycled again and again without losing its original properties.

Furthermore, the aluminium recycling process requires only 5% of the energy needed to produce primary metal, leading to significant CO₂ savings. Aluminium recycling rates are already among the highest of all materials. In Europe, recycling rates in the automotive and building sectors are over 90%, while aluminium beverage cans have a recycling rate of 76% today.

Our ambition is to promote circular design and boost the recycling of aluminium,. Our Circular Aluminium Action Plan provides a roadmap for European policy makers and the European aluminium industry to work together to make this ambition a reality.

Our forecasts show that with the right policy framework in place, 50% of Europe’s demand for aluminium could be supplied through recycled aluminium by mid-century. As a result, aluminium recycling could reduce CO₂ emissions by up to 39 million tonnes per year by 2050 compared to today, which corresponds to 46% less CO₂ per year in 2050. This is achieved mainly by replacing carbon-intensive primary aluminium imports from outside Europe with recycled domestic aluminium. By increasing recycling rates, Europe can also reduce its import dependency and exposure to supply disruptions.

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