With 20,904 visitors from 99 countries (2022: 18,600) and 819 exhibitors and partners from 50 nations, ALUMINIUM brought together industry players along the entire value chain from October 8 to 10, 2024 - from raw material suppliers to producers, processors and recycling experts.
“Optimism and self-confidence characterized the mood at ALUMINIUM 2024 - despite the various challenges in the individual markets,” Michael Köhler, Managing Director of trade fair organizer RX Deutschland GmbH, stated. “Aluminium remains a decisive factor in the future of numerous industries worldwide - especially when it comes to decarbonization. As the world's leading trade fair, we are not just the global platform, we are an important source of inspiration.”
Despite issues surrounding energy supply, supply chains and global competition, ALUMINIUM 2024 made it clear that the industry is in a strong position. “Despite the current challenges, we are optimistic,” says Rob van Gils, President of the industry association Aluminium Deutschland e. V.” If we create the right framework conditions, the aluminum industry in Germany and Europe can look forward to a successful future.” This includes “competitive framework conditions and planning security, particularly in terms of energy supply. A European Industrial Deal is urgently needed to ensure the competitiveness of European companies,” said van Gils.
Paul Voss, Director General of the industry association European Aluminium, also emphasizes that EU industrial policy is an important lever for promoting innovation and decarbonization. “The good news is that the political framework is already changing. And the aluminum industry has the necessary solutions to actively shape the change,” said Voss at the ALUMINIUM press conference.
Aluminum is and remains a central component of the industrial transformation
Politicians in Germany have also recognized the importance of the aluminium industry and the material. “The aluminum industry is an important part of the future of Germany and Europe,” said Dr. Robert Habeck, Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection, in his video message at the start of the trade fair. “Aluminium is ideal for the industrial transformation alone, with a view to lightweight construction, competitiveness and decarbonization.” The Minister added: “We are working intensively on further improvements for our location, especially, but not only, with regard to energy costs, reducing unnecessary bureaucratic burdens and strengthening fair competition.”
Growth potential worldwide
The exhibitors also reflected the confidence in the industry: “There is a good mood and energy, and it is important for the industry to come together and celebrate our great material,” said a delighted Antti Laakkonen from Constellium.
Even if it will still take some time for the festive mood to return to all markets and segments in some areas, the outlook is positive. “The markets are slowing down somewhat due to the global crisis and the recession in some local areas. But growth will certainly come in the next few years, even if it may be less and slower than previously expected,” explains Michael Schaefer from the SMS group.
This also applies in part to the most important sales market, the automotive industry, which currently does not fully meet the expectations of recent years. “The automotive sector is certainly facing challenges at the moment, especially in e-mobility. Customers are hesitant to make decisions. They are not sure whether they should buy an e-vehicle or not. But e-mobility will come, that's for sure. The only question is when it will happen. But it will come, and it represents enormous growth potential for aluminum,” explains Pascal Wagner from Speira.
Beyond the automotive sector, expectations of a market recovery are also high. “I believe that the vehicle market and the building and construction market will come back,” Michael Zint from the apt Group is certain.
Sustainability drives demand
The demand for aluminum is being driven by sustainability efforts in almost all industries worldwide. “We see a good substitution of copper and steel with aluminum. Our long-term outlook is positive, as aluminum is a key contributor to the green, sustainable transformation,” says Marijn Rietveld from Norsk Hydro.
The material benefits above all from its recyclability: “The more circular the industry becomes, the more development there will be. And, of course, Europe is driving the change towards a more circular economy. I think this is a very important development for the aluminum industry as a whole,” adds Derin Akersoy from Assan Alüminyum.
In addition to sustainability issues, supply chains also remain a defining topic when it comes to globalization: “I see growth on a global scale. What we could see is that there are actually two macro drivers that support this growth. The number one is sustainability. We could also see the clear trend that it is important to deliver globally, but with local, regional supply chains,” Frederik Spens, from Gränges.
ALUMINIUM as a catalyst for business and social progress
ALUMINIUM 2024 not only offered a platform for professional exchange, but also the opportunity for networking and business. “The trade fair is an opportunity for us to meet our customers, suppliers and business partners. This morning, we signed a very ambitious contract together with our business partner. And ALUMINIUM is the platform to do this,” said Alexandre Gellert from Novelis after a successful day at the trade fair.
But it wasn't just new business that was initiated at ALUMINIUM, the trade fair also provided important impetus for the economic and social development of the industry: topics such as the shortage of skilled workers and recruiting young talent were on the agenda in order to attract the next generation of talent to the aluminum industry. With the premiere of the “Women with Metal - the ALUMINIUM Awards”, the trade fair also sent a strong signal for more visibility and recognition of women in the industry and took an important step towards more diversity within the industry.
“This year's trade fair has made it clear that the aluminum industry and its material make a decisive contribution to solving numerous global challenges,” concludes Michael Köhler. “The exchange at ALUMINIUM 2024 was therefore urgently needed. The industry has a great need for discussion. We will continue to support this dialog as a platform and continue it at the next trade fair in 2026 at the latest.”
The next ALUMINIUM will take place from October 6 to 8, 2026.
