Aluminium Insider Magdalena Garczy ska

How do you see the impact of China's phasing out of aluminum scrap imports on European aluminum scrap trade?

Magdalena: European exports of aluminum scrap have been diverted to other countries in the region, namely India and Pakistan. As a result, European exports of aluminium scrap remain high. For example, while preliminary data for 2018 show that eu exports of aluminium scrap to China fell by 15 per cent in 2018, total eu exports for 2018 increased by about 5 per cent compared with 2017. More countries are likely to adopt China's policies. China is pushing the trade industry to produce waste of the right quality. Perhaps this is a sign that European traders and technology developers in the recycling value chain are investing more in classified technologies. Importantly, rejecting low quality scrap aluminum is not good for the environment. Ensure appropriate environmental health and safety conditions for waste disposal. We would like to see more countries adopt high environmental, health and safety (EHS) standards in line with European standards. Europe also needs to invest heavily in research into sorting technologies to make society better use of waste and ensure Europe's circular economy.

What impact will the eu's circular economy plan have on Europe's primary aluminium producers?

Magdalena: recycling stimulates recycling. But that doesn't mean Europe's primary aluminum producers should worry about bankruptcy. Primary and recycling are equally important to Europe's future. Our forthcoming vision for 2050 shows that European and global demand for aluminium will remain strong for decades to come. That number is expected to increase by 50 percent by 2050. As a result of supporting policies for our sector by 2050, it is expected that recycling and primary products will account for almost equal shares of total demand in Europe, which is expected to reach about 18 million tons.