ALFED’s position on the UK Industrial Strategy: Driving growth and sustainability

The UK Government’s recent release of the Invest 2035: Modern Industrial Strategy signals an ambitious commitment to stimulating growth across critical sectors. ALFED welcomes this strategy as a platform to highlight the strategic role of aluminium in transitioning to a sustainable, net-zero economy.

As the unified voice of the UK aluminium industry, ALFED remains dedicated to advocating for our members across production, processing, recycling, and trade. This announcement offers an opportunity to shape the industry’s future and advance our goals of innovation, competitiveness, and sustainability.

An urgent call for comprehensive sector support

Aluminium stands at the heart of sustainable manufacturing, especially in industries like transportation, construction, and packaging, where lightweight and recyclable materials are increasingly in demand. For ALFED, the government’s focus on advanced manufacturing and clean energy industries aligns closely with our recently published UK Aluminium Manifesto and The Aluminium Industry in the UK report. These documents outline our sector’s critical role in economic resilience and environmental goals. This new industrial strategy is a stepping-stone towards reinforcing the UK’s role as a global leader in aluminium production and innovation.

Key areas of focus for ALFED in the Industrial Strategy

Our key areas of focus include addressing the barriers to investment, innovation, and workforce skills that hinder sector growth:

• Investment in infrastructure and R&D: We urge the government to channel investment into the aluminium sector’s R&D and technological advancements. Research in areas like lightweight alloys, circular economy processes, and carbon capture for aluminium smelting can position the UK at the forefront of sustainable manufacturing.
• Skills development and retention: ALFED members consistently highlight the need for skilled labour. We advocate for training programs aligned with sector needs and initiatives that retain UK talent. Investing in apprenticeships and technical qualifications, particularly in emerging green technologies, will support the industrial strategy’s growth goals.
• Energy costs and electrification: High energy costs remain a significant barrier to competitiveness in aluminium manufacturing. ALFED supports initiatives like Purchase Power Agreements and seeks innovative solutions to lower energy costs for heavy industries. Addressing electrification challenges will help achieve a more sustainable production environment.

Questions for the Department for Business and Trade

While we welcome the strategy, several questions remain. How will the government ensure emerging sectors like green aluminium and low-carbon production are accurately represented? What metrics will the government use to evaluate the success of this strategy? ALFED also seeks clarity on foundational value chains and how they will support our sector’s growth. The newly established Industrial Strategy Council, chaired by Clare Barclay, CEO of Microsoft UK, presents an opportunity to address these pressing questions in a collaborative environment.

An invitation to ALFED members

As we prepare our consultation response, ALFED encourages all members to participate actively. Your insights will strengthen our collective voice, ensuring the UK aluminium industry receives the support it needs to thrive. Together, let’s seize this opportunity to shape a sustainable, competitive future for our sector.

This Industrial Strategy offers a promising start, but collective action and government collaboration will be essential to realise its full potential. We look forward to working closely with the Department for Business and Trade to further our industry’s role in building a resilient and sustainable UK economy.

Note: Opinion Piece by Nadine Bloxsome, CEO of the Aluminium Federation

Image credit: ALFED