The aluminium recycling industry is currently facing several challenges. In addition to security of supply, cost pressure, and decarbonization requirements, material and process-related challenges also contribute to the extraordinary complexity of the economic and ecological situation.

Global demand for high-quality scrap – fueled by the automotive industry’s hunger for low-carbon footprints – has transformed aluminium scrap into a scarce and strategically contested resource. In some cases, the price of premium scrap, combined with the increasing cost of advanced sorting, separation, and melt treatment, already exceeds the cost of primary aluminium, clearly indicating that CO₂ reduction comes with a price.

Furthermore, the inevitable accumulation of tramp elements resulting from the recycling process poses a significant threat to alloy performance and product integrity. Increased levels of undesired elements must either be eliminated in advance during separation and sorting or anticipated during alloy development. Only by mastering the complexity of impure material streams through innovative alloy development and process engineering it can be ensured that the European aluminium industry remains globally competitive in this rapidly changing world.

The keynote presentation provides an up-to-date assessment of the situation and challenges which the European aluminium recycling industry currently faces. It also highlights the research questions that need to be addressed in collaboration with university and non-university institutes to ensure that the aluminium industry remains globally competitive. Recent success stories will be shown.