AlCircle: Latest secondary aluminium news update

Alcoa Corporation Advances Mosjøen Growth with $65M Investment, due to rising demand and local support

Tue, 12 May 2026 08:25:00 +0530

As announced by Alcoa Corporation, one of the world's most sustainable aluminium producers, on May 11, it will be investing USD 65 million to enhance its foundry production capabilities. This will be possible by incorporating recycled materials into the casting process at its Mosjøen smelter in Norway.

With this investment, the firm aims to strengthen its position by enabling the delivery of low-carbon aluminium products, which will benefit consumer demand in the key market. This will be done by the firm, for the first time, by integrating post-consumer recycled aluminium into its offerings.

In the last six years, the firm has initiated a total investment of USD 180 million for upholding sustainable and growth-focused capital at its smelter. Moreover, an additional investment of USD 65 million will also be initiated by the firm for expansion and upgradation of the Mosjøen casthouse. This way, it shall have an increased production capacity of 75 thousand tonnes.

Also read: ETS benchmark update risks undermining aluminium recycling and critical raw materials supply

With this investment, the firm is highly committed to adapting and driving change to meet evolving consumer needs, especially given the rising demand for recycled content in industries like automotive and packaging. This will be aligned with strengthening its competitive edge in Europe as well.

Additionally, this investment will also introduce a new open mold foundry casting line, melting furnaces, and various enhancements to the casthouse. The aim here is to support the increased capacity for which the initial investment has been made by the firm.

Alongside this, the upgrade will enable diversification of the foundry alloy portfolio, which will allow greater flexibility in ingot sizes and formats, a wider range of alloys, and improved capabilities for recycled content.

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Alcoa President and CEO, William F. Oplinger, said, "This investment places Alcoa at the forefront of delivering low-carbon aluminium while creating long-term value for our customers and shareholders. The increased capacity, combined with recycling capabilities, positions Mosjøen as a cornerstone of low-carbon aluminium supply across Europe."

Mosjøen is deemed to be one of the biggest industrial employers in Northern Norway. This is because it provides nearly 700 direct jobs and creates positive impacts on the region. Now, with this new investment, additional job creation, long-term industrial activity and enhanced expertise in the Helgeland area will be possible. This will be done while benefiting all the local suppliers and contributing to the broader industrial value creation across Norway.

As a vital part of the European aluminium value chain, Mosjøen plays a crucial role in providing materials to the EU market, backed by stable and predictable conditions, including competitive long-term power agreements that enhance the site’s competitiveness and future investment opportunities.

The upgrade project is planned to unfold in phases, with commissioning and ramp-up expected to continue through 2028.

For forward-thinking aluminium market insights amidst supply chain and price challenges, read "ALuminium LeaderSpeak 2026."

ETS benchmark update risks undermining aluminium recycling and critical raw materials supply

Tue, 12 May 2026 05:55:00 +0530

Today, the European Commission presented its updated EU Emissions Trading System benchmarks for 2026–2030. European Aluminium warns that this update risks undermining aluminium recycling and critical raw materials supply in Europe, at a time when the EU is seeking to strengthen its circular economy, secure critical raw materials and scale up clean industrial capacity. The association calls on the Commission and Member States not to apply the planned reduction of the heat and fuel fall-back benchmarks to aluminium recycling and alumina refining installations, and instead to maintain the 2021–2025 benchmark levels until dedicated benchmarks for these processes are developed for the post-2030 period.

ETS benchmarks determine how many free allowances industrial installations receive while they decarbonise. For aluminium recycling and alumina refining, free allocation is not based on dedicated product benchmarks but on generic heat and fuel fall-back benchmarks applied across many different industrial sectors — an approach that does not reflect the reality of these processes.

Also Read: Technology Minerals unlocks new innovation and revenue stream with copper and aluminium recovery

Unlike other sectors under the fall-back approach, aluminium recycling and alumina refining require high and constant temperatures. The use of alternative fuels such as biomass is not technically feasible at scale, while electrification options or other technologies remain limited in the near term. Most efficiency gains have already been captured, and further decarbonisation will require major investment in technologies not yet commercially available at scale.

“ETS benchmarks are meant to reward efficiency and drive decarbonisation, but when they are not aligned with industrial reality, they start being all stick and no carrot,” says Paul Voss, Director General of European Aluminium.

In practice, the updated benchmarks amount to a 50 per cent cut compared with original Phase 3 levels — translating directly into higher production costs for recyclers and refiners whose technical decarbonisation options remain limited. This is particularly difficult to justify from an environmental perspective, given that aluminium recycling uses around 95 per cent less energy than producing primary aluminium, making it one of the most effective decarbonisation routes available in European industry today.

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In a global market, this increased cost exposure directly becomes a competitiveness issue. Aluminium and alumina prices are set internationally, meaning producers cannot simply pass these costs on to customers1. When ETS benchmarks significantly increase the cost gap with competitors outside Europe, the result is not lower global emissions, but more imported aluminium, lost investment and weaker European industrial capacity.

The stakes extend beyond aluminium. Alumina2 refining also enables the recovery of gallium — a critical mineral essential for semiconductors, defence systems and advanced clean technologies — whose supply the EU has identified as strategically vulnerable. Weakening the economics of European alumina refining also puts that supply chain at risk.

“Aluminium and alumina are recognised as critical and strategic raw materials, and Europe’s industrial resilience depends on making these value chains competitive again,” concludes Voss. “Applying benchmarks based on heat and fuel options that are not available to aluminium recycling and alumina refining creates an uneven and unjustified cost burden, worsening the EU’s dependence at a time when strategic autonomy in critical raw materials is a key objective, while doing literally nothing to actually reduce emissions. This is a clear and correctable issue, and a targeted freeze limited to these installations would be a proportionate measure that is both legally and technically justified, without affecting the wider ETS system or triggering the cross-sectoral correction factor.”

Must read: Key industry individuals share their thoughts on the trending topics

Note: This article has been issued by European aluminium and has been published by AL Circle with its original information without any modifications or edits to the core subject/data.

Hydro is redefining recycled aluminium design at Schloss Hollenegg

Mon, 11 May 2026 13:30:00 +0530

Hydro is showcasing a curated selection of recycled aluminium design works at ELEMENT: METAL, the latest exhibition organised by Schloss Hollenegg for Design, running from May 9 to 31, 2026 in Styria, Austria.

Set within the historic interiors of Schloss Hollenegg, the exhibition explores metal not only as a functional material but also as a cultural and design medium. Curated by Alice Stori Liechtenstein, the showcase brings contemporary design practices into conversation with centuries-old applied arts, with a particular focus on aluminium’s evolving role in furniture, lighting and spatial applications.

As part of the exhibition, Hydro presents works by designers Max Lamb, Philippe Malouin and Sabine Marcelis. Each project highlights distinct applications of aluminium, ranging from sculptural furniture and lighting to installation-based pieces, demonstrating the material’s versatility across design disciplines.

Hydro CIRCAL 100R, an aluminium material made exclusively from post-consumer trash, is the focus of Hydro's larger collaboration programme with worldwide designers, which includes this presentation. The company has been looking more and more into how recycled aluminium may be used for collectible and modern interior design over the last two years.

The exhibition also reflects a broader shift within the furniture and interiors sector towards circular materials and low-impact production methods. Recycled metals are increasingly being recognised not only for their environmental advantages but also for their design flexibility and aesthetic value.

Hydro is an example of the continuing increase in the degree of interaction between industrial manufacturers and the design sectors via collaborative work and exhibitions with designers, whose material-related contributions are made within a larger artistic and cultural framework.

Hydro has an integrated global business model that includes the recycling, extrusion and primary production of aluminium as a result of their commitment to provide sustainable aluminium products on a global scale from within the company’s operations in over 40 countries.

Weak demand, tight scrap supply deepen secondary aluminium losses

Sat, 09 May 2026 04:30:00 +0530

Aluminium scrap: China's aluminium scrap market swung wildly this week following primary aluminium. As of May 7, SMM A00 aluminium price closed at RMB 24,050 per tonne, down RMB 340 per tonne W-o-W from pre-holiday levels. Shredded aluminium tense scrap (delivered price) mainly operated in the range of RMB 20,500-21,100 per tonne (tax exclusive). Imported shredded aluminium slices (Ningbo Port) operated in the range of RMB 21,570-21,870 per tonne (tax inclusive). In terms of price spread, on May 7, the price difference between A00 aluminium and mixed aluminium extrusion scrap free of paint in Foshan was recorded at RMB 2,478 per tonne, and the price difference between A00 aluminium and shredded aluminium tense scrap was RMB 1,833 per tonne.

Supply side, affected by the Labour Day holiday, most aluminium scrap yards arranged 1-2 days off, and the shipment pace of aluminium scrap collection and delivery remained generally stable compared to April. After the holiday, raw material prices swung wildly, and aluminium scrap yards generally held back from selling and held prices firm; high overseas market prices led import traders to adopt cautious strategies, and subsequent imports are expected to pull back. Demand side, the traditional off-season set in, the operating rate of secondary aluminium producers pulled back slightly, aluminium tense scrap purchasers purchased as needed and operated with low inventory, and cooked aluminium was supported by secondary aluminium plate/sheet and strip production but with limited strength. Downstream demand was mainly rigid, with strong wait-and-see sentiment. The aluminium scrap market is expected to remain in the doldrums at high levels next week, with shredded aluminium tense scrap (delivered price) maintaining a mainstream range of RMB 20,500-21,300 per tonne (tax exclusive). Supply side, policy constraints are unlikely to ease in the short term, and tight compliant supply combined with expected pullback in imports will provide some price support. Demand side, the off-season effect continues, downstream secondary aluminium enterprises remain cautious and wait-and-see, purchasing mainly through small rigid-demand orders to restock. The divergence between aluminium tense scrap and cooked aluminium remains unchanged, order growth is limited, and market risks from aluminium price fluctuations and tight supply still warrant vigilance.

Secondary aluminium alloy: This week, affected by the Labour Day holiday, China's secondary aluminium alloy market saw overall subdued trading activity, with the ADC12 price centre continuing to shift downward. As of Thursday, the SMM ADC12 price was quoted at RMB 23,500 per tonne, down RMB 300 per tonne W-o-W. Cost side, aluminium scrap prices pulled back along with aluminium prices during the week, but actual declines in aluminium scrap were relatively limited, supported by suppliers' sentiment to hold back from selling at low prices. Meanwhile, alloy ingot prices fell more than raw material prices. Combined with persistently tight compliant aluminium scrap resources and procurement costs staying high, the industry's theoretical profit-loss shifted from profit to loss, significantly increasing cost pressure on enterprises. Demand side, the weak pattern continued. After entering May, the industry gradually entered the traditional consumption off-season. Downstream enterprises generally adopted a cautious wait-and-see attitude toward the market outlook, with purchases mainly driven by rigid demand and small-order restocking. Purchase willingness remained low, and market transaction activity was insufficient. In terms of supply, the operating rate of leading enterprises in the secondary aluminium industry declined 0.7 percentage points W-o-W to 57.0 per cent. Although major plants maintained normal production during the holiday, enterprises compressed their production pace due to some downstream enterprises being on holiday and reduced orders, resulting in the operating rate pulling back slightly. After the holiday effect dissipates next week, the operating rate is expected to recover slightly, but demand off-season conditions and cost pressure are unlikely to improve significantly in the short term, and the industry's overall operating rate still faces downward expectations. Inventory side, as of this Thursday, social inventory of secondary aluminium alloy ingots in China's major consumption areas was 57,200 tonnes, up 400 tonnes W-o-W, marking the fourth consecutive week of inventory buildup, reflecting slow spot cargo warehouse withdrawals amid weak demand and continued transfer from factory inventory to social inventory. Overall, the current traditional consumption off-season characteristics are gradually emerging, with insufficient downstream purchase willingness and continued social inventory accumulation. Market fundamentals remained in the doldrums. Although aluminium scrap prices softened somewhat, declines on the raw material side were limited, supported by tight supply sources and sentiment to hold back from selling, providing certain cost support for ADC12 prices. However, the market lacked clear positive drivers, and ADC12 prices are expected to maintain a fluctuating trend on the weak side next week.

Note: This article has been issued by SMM and has been published by AL Circle with its original information without any modifications or edits to the core subject/data.

Armley recycling drive collects 5,000 aluminium cans

Fri, 08 May 2026 14:00:00 +0530

Over recent months, the community-led recycling drive in Armley, Leeds, has collected 5,000 aluminium cans, which have raised money to help Leeds City Mission (LCM) outreach and cut down on local waste.

The initiative, led by volunteers, staff, and supporters, involved gathering discarded cans from streets and post-event waste. The collected material was checked, crushed, and sorted before being transported to LCM’s centre on Mistress Lane, opposite Armley Library. From there, sacks filled with aluminium cans and foil were taken to a recycling facility and exchanged for cash.

LCM Development Worker Andy Dalton said the effort aligns with the organisation’s long-standing focus on reuse and recycling. “We live in a throw-away society. But as we say in Yorkshire – where there’s muck there’s brass!” he said, highlighting both the environmental and financial impact of the drive. He added that the initiative has made “a small contribution to litter reduction and recycling metal as well as raising vital funds for City Mission work.”

Also Read: Top 10 aluminium can recycling countries leading the global circularity race

Volunteers involved in the campaign noted the unexpectedly large volume of aluminium waste collected in a short period, underlining the scale of disposable packaging in urban areas.

Founded in 1837, Leeds City Mission is among the city’s oldest charities, working with marginalised and vulnerable groups. Its Compassion Centre in Armley provides services including a food bank, clothing support, a free shower facility for people experiencing homelessness, and community programmes aimed at helping individuals reconnect with mainstream life.

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EGA’s Guinea bauxite deal and recycling facility in Al Taweelah - a move to offset its smelting shutdown?

Fri, 08 May 2026 08:20:00 +0530

EGA’s reset of its Guinea bauxite supply and progress at the Al Taweelah recycling facility have sparked curiosity about whether these moves are aimed at reviving the company’s resilience in the global aluminium market after a temporary shutdown of the Al Taweelah smelter following damage from Iranian attacks. .

The timing of these three incidents is what has sparked such intrigue. EGA’s core smelting operations remain closed after a strike at its 1.6 million tonnes per annum Al Taweelah facility in late March, forcing the company to invoke force majeure on select contracts. Rehabilitation work is expected to begin by the end of May, with a full restart potentially taking up to a year.

Meanwhile, EGA is gearing up to establish its recycling plan in Al Taweelah. “We are now reaching the final stages of construction on this important project,” Chief Executive Officer Abdulnasser Bin Kalban said, underlining the role of recycled aluminium in strengthening supply resilience.

This recycling plant has also been examined under the lens of any possibilities to offset bauxite supply disruptions as an alternative source of raw material.

EGA confirmed its revival bauxite supply deal with the Guinean government following last year’s shutdown of its Guinea Alumina Corporation (GAC) operations. Under the new agreement, bauxite supply arrangements with Compagnie des Bauxites de Guinée will resume under “mutually beneficial commercial terms,” although financial details remain undisclosed. Guinea will also pay a lump sum to GAC in exchange for transferring local assets to Nimba Mining, which oversees the Sangaredi project in western Guinea.

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The reset is significant. The earlier disruption had already pushed EGA to diversify raw material sourcing, including a mining memorandum with Ghana’s Ghana Integrated Aluminum Development Corporation. With its Al Taweelah smelter still under repair, securing upstream stability is central to EGA’s broader resilience strategy.

Also Read: Guinea’s bauxite exports surge 25% early 2026, led by China’s growing demand

EGA’s recycling plant at Al Taweelah is about to be completed and the company expects to start operations before mid-2026. The recycling plant has made its first major accomplishment by successfully charging its melting furnace with aluminium scrap in January 2026.

The plant is designed to produce 185,000 tonnes annually, boosting low-carbon aluminium output while supporting supply diversification following Guinea’s bauxite policy shift. It will process both post and pre-consumer scrap to produce billets and T-bars under EGA’s RevivAL line, alongside blends using solar- and nuclear-powered primary aluminium.

Report suggests the company is on track to launch the UAE’s largest aluminium recycling plant before mid-year, despite disruptions. The facility is expected to reach 400,000 tonnes of annual capacity by year-end, with plans to expand to 800,000 tonnes by 2040.

Senior Vice President Simon Buerk noted that global demand for recycled aluminium is “expected to double by 2040,” reinforcing the long-term rationale behind the investment. EGA is also expanding its recycling footprint internationally, with projects underway in the United States and Germany.

Must read: Key industry individuals share their thoughts on the trending topics

EGA, however, has reportedly declined to comment on whether the recycling ramp-up will help offset production disruptions at Al Taweelah.

TOMRA launches next-generation AI platform and expands GAINnext™ ecosystem with new deep learning applications

Thu, 07 May 2026 16:30:00 +0530

TOMRA Recycling has unveiled a breakthrough AI-native platform from PolyPerception and introduced three new deep learning applications for its award-winning GAINnext™ technology. The innovations were presented at IFAT 2026 in Munich and PRSE in Amsterdam, highlighting the company’s continued focus on advancing AI‑driven sorting solutions. The announcement coincides with TOMRA increasing its investment in PolyPerception to a 51 per cent majority stake, closing the loop between real-time stream data and physical sorting action.

From reporting to interpreting: An AI agent for recycling

PolyPerception’s new AI‑agent platform marks an impressive evolution of its Waste Analyser – an AI‑powered waste analytics solution that improves sorting performance through end‑to‑end material tracking. One of the most significant breakthroughs is the natural language interface. Operators can now 'chat' with their plant data in plain language, asking questions such as ‘How did changing the settings on the recovery line affect our purity?’. With AI as its core, the platform understands the context and provides immediate natural language answers accompanied by data breakdowns, removing the technical barrier between complex spreadsheets and operational decision-making.

Also Read: TOMRA introduces AI-based FINDER™ for advanced metal recycling operations

While traditional AI tools in the industry are limited to 'reading' and reporting data, this platform also has 'writing' capabilities, enabling it to act like an agent within the plant. Rather than just observing material streams, it can actively create custom quality reports and set operational alerts in seconds based on its deep domain knowledge of the recycling process.

“With the introduction of our new agent-based platform, recycling plants now gain a new cognitive layer,” says Nicolas Braem, CEO and Co-Founder of PolyPerception. “Data is no longer just reported – it is interpreted, explained and transformed into relevant insights in a few seconds. Operators can interact naturally with their plant, ask questions, explore material behavior and receive clear, actionable answers in real time.”

Open data and advanced search features

This groundbreaking technology provides full transparency by allowing recyclers to integrate plant data directly into their existing management systems. This enables managers to query waste statistics or purity levels through their own dashboards without needing to log into a separate system.

The platform also introduces two powerful new search methods to help plants respond to changing material streams:

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Similarity search: Operators can right-click a problematic object, such as an electronic vape, to instantly identify every other visually similar item in the stream. This is critical for spotting fire hazards like batteries without the need to train a new AI model.
Text and brand search: Users can search for specific brands or object types, such as 'filled refuse bags' or 'diapers', to see exactly what is passing through the facility in real time.

“AI has always been part of TOMRA’s DNA, but we are now entering an entirely new phase," says Lars Enge, EVP and Head of TOMRA Recycling. "With our acquisition of a majority stake in PolyPerception, we are moving beyond AI as a sorting tool to AI as a central intelligence for the recycling plant. By combining our advanced sorting systems and digital solutions with PolyPerception’s AI platform we are creating an end-to-end solution that doesn’t just optimise machines but fundamentally redefines how plants operate.”

Expanding the GAINnext™ ecosystem

To complement this technological progress, TOMRA is also introducing three new deep learning applications for its GAINnext™ ecosystem. This solution targets long-standing industry bottlenecks where traditional sensor-based sorting has reached its limits.

The first application addresses the rising demand for food-grade PET trays as tray material is becoming a critical new feedstock alongside bottles. By training GAINnext™ on thousands of images, the system can now distinguish between takeaway or supermarket trays and consumer or medical packaging based on shape and use. This breakthrough achieves purity levels over 95 per cent, demonstrating that PET tray sorting is no longer a technical challenge but a viable business case.

In the metals sector, TOMRA is launching a high-precision application for 'copper meatballs', supporting a steel market that is starting its journey towards decarbonisation. The new GAINnext™ automatically identifies complex copper-steel composites, such as motor armatures, even in oxidised or dirty streams, delivering outstanding selectivity and helping recyclers to upgrade rebar-grade scrap to premium furnace feedstock.

The third addition is a high-throughput solution for used beverage can (UBC) aluminum recovery from packaging streams – an application that was successfully launched in North America and has now been adapted for the European market. The GAINnext™ UBC application offers up to 33 times more throughput than manual sorting, delivering 98 per cent purity or higher. By instantly detecting and ejecting non-UBC materials, the system provides a more efficient, automated path for aluminum can-to-can recycling.

Must read: Key industry individuals share their thoughts on the trending topics

Technology turning point

"These launches signal a true technology turning point for the industry," Enge concludes. "Deep learning is no longer just enhancing individual processes or tackling increasingly complex sorting challenges – it is linking insights directly to action across the plant. We are moving beyond high-speed detection toward a new era of intelligent, connected sorting, where complex challenges are solved and data is understood, contextualised and communicated directly to the operator. Once again, TOMRA is at the forefront of innovation, translating today’s most advanced AI into real, measurable value for customers."

TOMRA Recycling

With 11,900 sorting systems installed in more than 100 countries, TOMRA Recycling is a global leader in sensor-based sorting solutions for the recycling and waste management industry. The company’s mission is clear: harness the latest AI technologies to help customers turn waste into value.

TOMRA Recycling was the first to develop advanced waste and metal sorting applications using high-capacity near-infrared (NIR) technology, and the first to introduce AI technologies based on deep learning to the recycling industry. Its product portfolio includes systems for resource recovery and material upgrading across a wide range of streams.

Note: This article has been issued by TOMRA and has been published by AL Circle with its original information without any modifications or edits to the core subject/data.

Libya–Brazil trade sees export spike led by aluminium scrap

Tue, 05 May 2026 11:55:00 +0530

Trade between Libya and Brazil has shifted noticeably in early 2026, with contrasting movements on each side of the exchange. Libya’s export to Brazil soared, driven by a surge in aluminium scrap shipments during the January–March period. The value of these exports rose sharply, climbing by 347.4 per cent compared with the same quarter a year earlier to reach approximately USD 1.7 million, based on figures from the Arab-Brazilian Chamber of Commerce.

Must read: Key industry individuals share their thoughts on the trending topics

Brazil’s exports to Libya, on the other hand, declined by 57.2 per cent, amounting to USD 94.19 million over the same timeframe. Despite this drop, Brazil continued to post a substantial trade surplus in its favour.

A closer look at Brazilian exports shows a familiar mix of commodities, including iron ore, poultry, beef, tobacco, and coffee. Iron ore was the dominant product, contributing 36.8 per cent of the total, although deliveries were limited to January and February, with no recorded shipments in March.

Taken together, bilateral trade reached USD 95.9 million in the first quarter of the year, marking a year-on-year contraction of 56.5 per cent. Even so, the overall balance remained firmly tilted towards Brazil, with a surplus of USD 92.4 million.

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ROSI secures $23M to scale up solar panel recycling in Europe

Fri, 01 May 2026 11:35:00 +0530

French cleantech company ROSI, specialised in high-value recycling of end-of-life photovoltaic panels, has secured funding of over EUR 20 million (USD 23 million) for upgrading and optimising the efficiency of its high-value photovoltaic module recycling facilities all over Europe. Established in 2017, the company recovers high-purity strategic raw materials, such as aluminium, copper, glass etc. from discarded photovoltaic modules, reinforcing its position as a key player in addressing the growing volume of solar waste.

Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 across the value chain

Commenting on the project, President and co-founder of ROSI, Dr Yun Luo, noted, "Our ambition is to build a European-scale industrial platform for circular management and the production of strategic raw materials, transforming end-of-life solar panels into a reliable source of high-purity materials for the European industries of tomorrow."

With the rapidly expanding platform of renewable energy, particularly with increasing solar installations, ROSI has noted that tens of millions of photovoltaic panels may reach the end of life by 2050. The company, therefore, aims to take up the challenge through high-purity precious material recovery, to unlock a circular and value-creating alternative compared to the traditional low-value recycling options.

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Following the commissioning of its first industrial site, ROSI Alpes, the company is now moving ahead with a new facility in Teruel, Spain. Designed as a large-scale, automated plant, the site will be capable of processing up to 10,000 tonnes annually, producing recycled materials of high purity suitable for reintegration into industrial supply chains.

The new capital has been raised through a Series B round, along with funds released from French and European grants for backing such ventures of scaling up industrial capacity and advancing circular solutions for end-of-life solar panels.

The expansion reflects ROSI’s broader ambition to establish a scalable circular model for photovoltaic recycling in Europe. By recovering critical raw materials domestically, the initiative aims to reduce dependence on imports while strengthening regional supply security.

Must read: Key industry individuals share their thoughts on the trending topics

The funding round was led by InnoEnergy, CMA CGM, the European Innovation Council (EIC), and Spanish family office G3T, with participation from both new and existing investors. Alongside this, ROSI has appointed Thierry Galvez as director of ROSI Alpes. With three decades of experience in the photovoltaic sector, he is expected to drive operational efficiency and support the company’s next phase of industrial growth.

Romain Girard, Investment Manager at CMA CGM, stated, "ROSI illustrates the kind of industrial circular-economy platform that Europe needs: a differentiated technology, a clear path to industrial scale, a strong contribution to strategic resource resilience, and a tangible potential to reduce the CO2 footprint of the photovoltaic value chain."

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Europe aluminium can recycling gains pace, targets 100% by 2030

Fri, 01 May 2026 08:56:00 +0530

The interview with Krassimira Kazashka, CEO of Metal Packaging Europe, highlights the steady progress and future potential of aluminium beverage can recycling across Europe. It explores how robust infrastructure, supported by Deposit Return Schemes and evolving EU regulations like the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), is driving higher recovery rates and circularity. Kazashka emphasises the role of policy engagement, resource security, and scrap retention in strengthening the regional aluminium value chain. Looking ahead, she outlines the industry’s ambition to achieve 100 per cent recycling by 2030, underpinned by innovation, regulatory support, and efficient collection systems.

Krassimira Kazashka is the CEO of Metal Packaging Europe since November 2023. Prior to joining MPE, she worked for European associations in the paper packaging sector, a multinational company, the national government and the European Commission. As a professional, she had extensive experience in sustainability, circular economy, eco-design, packaging and packaging waste, chemicals, food contact and trade policy.

Krassimira holds an MSc in Chemical Engineering, a European MSc in Environmental protection and an MBA.

1. What is the current recycling infrastructure scenario across EU member states? In what way does it impact aluminium beverage can recovery?

Recycling performance for aluminium beverage cans in Europe is strong and continues to improve, with a recycling rate of 76.3 per cent in 2023 supported by good recycling infrastructure.

In many European countries, beverage cans are increasingly moving from traditional household waste collection under Extended Producer Responsibility to Deposit Return Schemes (DRS). Recent evidence highlights how quickly recycling performance can improve following the introduction of DRS. Countries with established systems set the benchmark, with Germany and Finland achieving recycling rates of 99 per cent for aluminium beverage cans.

The EU’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) reinforces this momentum by requiring Member States to reach a 90 per cent separate collection rate for beverage containers by 2029 driving faster adoption of proven DRS approaches.

Together, these trends highlight clear momentum. As more countries implement effective systems, collection and recycling rates will continue to rise, enabling a fully circular loop and can-to-can recycling.

2. In what way is the EU’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) supporting the circularity of aluminium beverage packaging?

The PPWR reinforces requirements for high-quality recycling, effective separate collection and sorting systems, and the preservation of material quality. It also introduces harmonised requirements to ensure that packaging is recyclable by design and effectively recycled at scale, thus strengthening circularity across the EU.

Aluminium beverage cans are a leading example of high-quality, closed-loop recycling, and the PPWR provides a framework to scale this circular model across Europe. The Aluminium industry estimates that 75 per cent of the aluminium ever produced is still in use or in circulation today, largely due to the nature of this permanent material.

3. How does Metal Packaging Europe engage with EU institutions to ensure aluminium beverage packaging is fairly represented in circular economy legislation?

Metal Packaging Europe (MPE) engages with EU institutions on a regular basis by responding to consultations, sharing concrete proposals and position papers, and providing technical expertise and data to support effective, evidence-based decision-making.

We also organise meetings with the European Commission, European Parliament and Council, participate at events and social dialogues and advocate to secure a fair legal framework for the aluminium beverage packaging.

4. In the context of evolving EU trade rules and sustainability regulations, how can aluminium recycling strengthen regional resource security and reduce reliance on imported primary metal?

Aluminium recycling plays a central role in strengthening Europe’s resource security. By keeping valuable material in circulation, it reduces reliance on imported primary aluminium and supports a more resilient and self-sufficient supply chain.

An important aspect is to retain high-quality aluminium scrap, like used beverage containers (UBCs), within Europe to sustain closed-loop recycling and maximise circularity. This also delivers significant climate benefits, as recycled aluminium saves about 94 per cent of the energy needed for primary production.

5. Looking ahead, what do you see as the defining milestone for aluminium beverage can circularity in Europe, and which necessary measures must be adopted to reach it?

The aluminium beverage can industry has the ambition to reach 100 per cent recycling by 2030. The defining milestone is a fully functioning European can-to-can value loop, where used beverage cans are consistently collected, sorted and recycled into new aluminium beverage cans “made in Europe”.

Achieving this will depend on the widespread implementation of effective collection systems, particularly deposit return schemes (DRS), as well as strong EU policy measures to retain high-quality aluminium scrap in Europe.

A supportive regulatory framework that provides recognition of permanent materials, exemption from reuse targets, combined with continued investment and innovation across the value chain, will be essential to deliver both circularity and climate objectives, enabling aluminium beverage cans to realise their full circular potential.