The general assembly of the trade association for semi-finished aluminum products in the general association of the aluminum industry e. V. (GDA) had the unofficial motto “One year of Corona - What is the current state of our industry?” The answer is: The markets have recovered after the severe slump, but the level of the past few years is still on Distance.
A survey by the GDA among its member companies showed that the most important markets are definitely livelier. However, the result is only a snapshot; it is still too early to give the all-clear. There is still a lack of orders in parts. There is definitely a revival in automotive engineering and construction; Aircraft construction is still in bad shape. This stabilization at a low level does not form the basis for long-term profitability.
In addition to the pandemic and the resulting economic crisis, the industry is also being challenged politically. The issue of decarbonization is a concern of the aluminum industry - on the one hand as a political goal of Europe, on the other hand as a business goal of the customers. The chairman of the trade association, Frank Busenbecker (Erbslöh Aluminum GmbH), said: “If the EU wants a decarbonised industry, then we need energy sources in Germany that do not emit CO2. And which are competitively priced. Otherwise we might be decarbonised, but without industry. ”The material aluminum offers enough potential to be perceived as part of the solution. Unfortunately, this is not an automatic mechanism. The association is also challenged here.
At the general assembly of the professional association, new members were also elected to the advisory board: Matthias Benz (NEUMAN AG) and Stefan Kammerer (AMAG Deutschland AG).
