International Aluminium Institute celebrates its 50th anniversary

The International Aluminium Institute (IAI) is celebrating its 50th anniversary and its role in guiding the global primary aluminium sector toward a more sustainable future. The IAI will highlight the industry's people, products, and key moments during the previous 50 years as part of the celebrations, while also looking ahead to the future.

The IAI was founded in 1972 to promote industrial collaboration with an emphasis on collecting and releasing statistical data, and this is still one of the organization's key goals. The IAI has been a major voice for the worldwide aluminium industry for the past 50 years, offering trustworthy statistical data that is widely recognised as legitimate and robust, as well as statistical and analytical skills refined over decades.

“Celebrating 50 years is a unique opportunity to look back into our past and forward to the future. The evolution of our association reflects that of our industry too. As the world’s population continues to grow, one thing is certain that the aluminium industry will continue to have a vital role to play in transport, aviation, packaging, infrastructure, and energy. Aluminium is one of the most used metals in the world and has the potential to stay that way for the next fifty years and more,” said Miles Prosser, Secretary General of the IAI.

The IAI has planned a range of activities to highlight the industry's progress and the prospects that lay ahead as part of the festivities.

Starting in January, the Institute will highlight 50 people who have made major contributions to the aluminium industry, 50 items that showcase the metal's relevance and adaptability, and 50 critical moments that have impacted the industry and metal.

The 50 People feature will continue through 2022, and it will honour the tenacity, variety, and innovation of individuals (past and present) who have helped to shape the aluminium industry into what it is today. Individuals can nominate themselves or colleagues through the IAI's dedicated portal.

Aluminium has evolved into a material with nearly limitless applications in a variety of industries, including food and beverage, construction, transportation, aerospace, and consumer products, during the previous 50 years.

The IAI recognises the difficulties ahead as it looks to the future, which is being driven by customers' increased need for environmentally sustainable solutions in transportation, infrastructure, energy, and food security.
Aluminium emits more than 1.1 billion tonnes of CO2 per year, and while reducing this is a difficult task, the IAI views this as an opportunity to promote change and for the industry to lead by example in crafting a better future.

“Many aluminium producers are already pioneering solutions that reduce their environmental footprint without compromising product quality. Aluminium companies are developing technologies such as inert anode electrolysis; as well as broad-scale investment in technologies around the world,” said Mr Prosser.

“At the IAI, we are focused on fostering collaborative partnerships that enable such innovations to be trialled and tested. Part of our role is to raise awareness of these success stories and their positive impact, and to engage with suppliers, customers, governments and other stakeholders so that the adoption of these technologies is as quick and efficient as possible,” added Miles Prosser.

Aluminium International Today, a significant industry media partner for the festivities will provide a variety of online and printed information on the IAI's role and accomplishments over the last 50 years.