Aluminium crucial to economic growth in Europe

In response to the Competitiveness Council’s Conclusions on the Industrial Competitiveness Agenda, Director-General of the European Aluminium Association Gerd Götz issues the following statement:

“We have high expectations for the Council’s call for sectoral initiatives, including both sectors facing economic change and high growth potential sectors. The European aluminium industry is a perfect example of one with high growth potential, but one which is facing an extremely challenging economic climate. Demand for aluminium in Europe is constantly rising thanks to its use as an innovative and sustainable material in dynamic markets such as mobility, packaging, technology and infrastructure. However, we are increasingly dependent on foreign imports, as production in Europe has been drastically affected by high regulatory costs.

To restore our competitiveness and Europe’s trade balance and to maintain jobs and our production capacity of strategic materials, the EU’s first sector-specific measure should seek to improve the regulatory framework for the European aluminium producers for the huge cost they pay for the EU ETS indirectly through their energy bills.”