European Aluminium welcomes EU metals action plan but warns time is running out

European Aluminium welcomes the European Commission’s EU Steel & Metals Action Plan as an important step toward addressing the critical challenges facing the aluminium industry. Aluminium is a strategic raw material essential for the green and digital transitions, defence, and other key sectors. However, with the new U.S. tariffs on aluminium in place, the urgency for action has only accelerated. Europe can no longer afford to delay taking the necessary steps to secure the survival of its aluminium industry.

"We appreciate the renewed focus on our sector and it's clear that policymakers are beginning to recognise the severity of the challenges our industry faces," says Paul Voss, Director General of European Aluminium. "There are certainly promising elements in the Plan. But strategy alone won’t keep our operations running. Immediate action is needed to stop the outflow of valuable aluminium scrap to other regions, a problem made worse by its exclusion from the recent U.S. tariffs on aluminium. Targeted measures to lower energy costs and prevent carbon leakage should also be a priority.”

While the Action Plan sets the right direction, European Aluminium stresses that its effectiveness will depend on the speed and strength of the measures that follow. Losing the aluminium industry in Europe would have wide-reaching consequences, extending well beyond the sector itself. It would disrupt jobs, supply chains, and key industries such as automotive, aerospace, defence, and renewable energy—creating a ripple effect across Europe’s entire industrial landscape. This would further weaken the EU’s global competitiveness and undermine its strategic autonomy at a time when both are more crucial than ever.

"The situation is moving fast—global competitors are making decisions today that will shape markets for years to come," Paul adds. "We need immediate, targeted interventions to stabilise the sector now, starting with energy costs and scrap leakage, but we also need long-term structural reforms to ensure aluminium production remains a key pillar of Europe’s industrial base."

European Aluminium is ready to work with policymakers at all levels to ensure that the Action Plan delivers real, effective results in the near future.

Note: This Press Release has been issued by EPIQ Machinery and has been published by AL Circle in its original form without any modifications or edits.