Registering 20,400 visitors from 100 nations ALUMINIUM in Düsseldorf was a great success after a four-year break, exceeding expectations and recording a strong signal from the industry.
Even if the aluminium industry is struggling with major challenges related to energy prices, supply security and supply chains, the 730 exhibitors from 50 nations also demonstrated at ALUMINIUM that the potential this material and the industry as a whole hold is enormous.
“ALUMINIUM 2022 has exceeded our expectations,” says Barbara Leithner, Chief Operating Officer at RX Austria & Germany, the organiser of ALUMINIUM. “The more challenging the times the more important is communication within, and the unity of, the industry. Against the backdrop of the current framework conditions ALUMINIUM 2022 was the most important event in its 25-year history.”
“The situation is serious,” says Rob van Gils, President of Aluminium Deutschland, describing the position of the aluminium industry in Europe. “The energy ‘insanity’ endangers our competitiveness. And this is something industry on its own cannot solve. So, we need political support and solutions. At the moment, we really have to rank security of supply in the first place.”
“We need a combination of short-term measures to stop the ‘bloodletting’ and a system that allows industries to source the required energy at acceptable prices. I am not saying at the same prices we had before but a price we can live with,” echoes Paul Voss, Director General of the industry association European Aluminium.
By means of “aids and brakes” the Federal Minister of Economic and Climate Protection, Robert Habeck, intends to retain energy-intensive industry such as the aluminium sector in Germany, as he explained in his video message at the opening of the trade fair. Habeck sees possibilities here via the announced aid programmes and the gas price brake, to name but two. “To bring down prices at the basis will cost a lot of money; but if it helps to conserve the substance of the German industry, it is money well invested,” said the Federal Minister.
The relevance of the aluminium sector was also emphasised by Mona Neubaur, Minister for Economics, Industry, Climate Protection and Energy of North Rhine-Westphalia: “Aluminium can be understood as an enabler on the path towards a climate-neutral society and industry. The next five years will decide whether the transformation of the industry succeeds. Crucial to this will be that we ensure planning safety and competitiveness for extensive investment in technology and infrastructure. The next investment cycle must be used for the conversion of the industry.”
Sustainability at the forefront
The expert programme that was received very well over all three trade fair days also illustrated that the mobility sector, sustainability and recycling themes as well as digital manufacturing are the topics of the future for the industry as a whole. For the first time, the ALUMINIUM Conference – organised by Aluminium Deutschland – was held in the heart of the exhibition space itself. In addition, two Speakers’ Corners on “Sustainability & Recycling” and “Additive & Digital Manufacturing” celebrated their premiere.
Ready for 2024
“The right time, the right place, the right partners – we have customers here, we have suppliers here. We really had fruitful and in-depth discussions with the right people. We can say: for us it was a resounding success and we look forward to being back in 2024,” said Ilias Papadopoulos of Trimet.
The next edition of ALUMINIUM will be held from 8 to 10 October 2024.