EVENT REVIEW 57
Advancing aluminium:
CRU conference hall
The World Aluminium Conference
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1. Chris Bayliss, Director of Standards at Aluminium Stewardship Initiative 2. (Left to Right) : Zaid Aljanabi, Head of Aluminium, Consulting, CRU, Virginia Gum Hamisevicz, Vice President, Government Relations and International Programs, The Aluminium Association, Emanuele Manigrassi, Manager EU Public Affairs, European Aluminium Association, Laurent Ruessmann, Partner, FieldFisher 3. Paul Williams, Research manager, Aluminium, CRU Group
The CRU World Aluminium Conference returned after its absence due to COVID19. The two day event held its conference in London between the 17th - 18th May 2022. Zahra Awan* was in attendance. Opening the conference was CRU, Head of Aluminium, Paul Williams, who introduced the Key Note session: ‘Advancing Sustainable Aluminium in Primary, Rolled and Extruded Product Markets’. Speaking first was Emilio Braghi, Executive Vice President & President, Novelis Europe. Holding high regard to “aluminium cans [which] are winning in the recycling race”, he discussed the key pillars for circularity: Legislation, Market Commitment and Technology. Legislation was a reoccurring theme at the event as Associations, Governments and Policymakers are pressed to provide more to encourage the circularity and recyclability of aluminium. He stated: “Primary aluminium is the way to grow, recycled aluminium is the way to succeed.” Next on the podium was John Slaven, COO, Alcoa presenting on ‘Reinventing the aluminium industry for a sustainable future’. He highlighted that that as an industry we need to “build foundations
from our mind to our metal, to promote and ensure the best sustainable green production.” He went on to discuss the importance of decarbonising smelters, an idea reiterated by Tim Murray, Cardinal Virtues Consulting later in the day. Mr Slaven also discussed the R&D project, Elysis, a joint venture between Alcoa and Rio Tinto. Elysis has already formed a relationship with Apple and Audi with regards to introducing Net-Zero aluminium products. Following the theme of low-carbon primary aluminium was speaker Paul Warton from Hydro, Executive Vice President Mr Warton has previously spoken to Aluminium International Today on Hydro’s steps towards sustainable aluminium (March/April issue). Covering the automotive industry as well as Hydro’s own ventures to decarbonise the production on primary aluminium, the audience were shown a glimpse into the mindset of the company, with the emphasis on the importance of “upstream to downstream [production is equal] – we need to deliver sustainable solutions.” Head of Aluminium, CRU, Paul Williams spoke next to give an Aluminium Market Outlook, with a focus on ‘Long
Term Growth Clouded by Weakening 2022’. Due to the current conflict in the Ukraine, COVID-19 and inflation, the industry is seeing ‘some demand growth destruction’. Mr Williams concluded that the aluminium industry is set to remain in a deficit for 2022. He also added that the market needs Russian aluminium. However, long term, “aluminium is a winner from the ESG/Green Energy Transition”, the packaging markets are strong and are “likely to cushion any global downturn.” Following from these discussions, Alba announced its intentions to appoint a consultant to conduct pre-feasibility study for a line 7 smelter. Speaker, Hisham Alkooheji Director of Marketing MEA-Asia (Left), joined via a live link and discussed the renewable fuel alternatives that the company are investigating, such as solar energy. After a break, the conference continued to discuss the ‘Demand and Sustainability Outlook’. Here, Ball Cooperation European Public Affairs and Sustainability Manager, Claudia Bierth stated that those who can, should “ban landfills”; whilst Nathalie Bacca, Corporate NFM Purchasing Manager Copper and Aluminium Rod,
*Editorial Assistant, Aluminium International Today Aluminium International Today
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July/August 2022
06/07/2022 13:54:00
