Alro Slatina achieves a carbon footprint below the European average

The Romanian aluminium producer Alro Slatina reported at the Aluminium 2024 fair in Dusseldorf that its carbon footprint has reached beneath the average level in Europe. The company even stated that it feels optimistic ahead of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) to be imposed by Europe targeting imports of carbon-intensive goods, including aluminium.

At the same event, a representative from Vimetco Extrusion, Alro's downstream subsidiary, also underscored that European aluminium producers will come under the global spotlight when the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism becomes mandatory in 2026. Vimetco Trading general manager Florin Verboncu said customers' focus would also shift to European low-carbon aluminium.

"Demand is going well. The trend is that next year customers, who until now were buying from exotic sources, Malaysia, India, the Middle East, are moving even closer to European producers. Why? First of all, they are afraid of CBAM (Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism), a mechanism that will be mandatory for implementation from January 1, 2026, and taxes will be paid. We have already started discussions with clients in the early stages of the project. Basically, it is a protectionist measure in the sense that it will somehow restrict the European import market from imports from cheap and polluting areas," said Florin Verboncu.

Alro, one of the largest vertically integrated aluminium producers in Europe by production capacity, was part of Aluminium 2024 event in Dusseldorf, Germany, alongside more than 800 exhibitors and partners from 50 countries across the world.

Before CBAM comes into effect, Alro aims to reduce its carbon footprint further by increasing the amount of waste processed.