With aluminium now recognised as a critical and growth mineral in Government strategy, Aluminium Outlook '26 brought industry leaders, policymakers, investors and customers under one roof to turn strategic recognition into real-world growth.
On 17 February 2026, we welcomed 70 industry professionals to the Business Design Centre for an exclusive session exploring the pressing challenges and opportunities in the metals industry.
Around 70 attendees joined the conversation and networked with professionals from Arctial, Aluminium Dunkerque, Storvik, Norsk Hydro, Novelis, Hatch, Primetals, Gränges, Innoval, Precimeter, DTE Iceland, CBAMBOO, Speira, MICAS Simulations Ltd trading as QForm UK, and many more.
It was a valuable opportunity to hear from industry leaders and gain actionable insights shaping the future of the metals sector.
ALUMINIUM OUTLOOK '26
The UK aluminium sector is entering a new phase of strategic importance, and ALFED is playing a central role in shaping that landscape. With aluminium now formally recognised as both a critical and growth mineral in the Government’s Vision 2035 Critical Minerals Strategy, the metal is firmly on the agenda for industrial strategy, energy transition, defence, infrastructure and advanced manufacturing.
Meet The Speakers
Aluminium Outlook ’26 delivered expert-led discussions on the industry’s biggest challenges such as scrap metals, CBAM, government policies.
Click below to explore the speaker line-up.
Testimonials
If you were not at Aluminium Outlook, then you missed a great event! But don't take our word for it. This is what some of our visitors had to say:
Carlotta Ferretti, International Sales Manager, RX Global
Very high quality speakers that kept the audience engaged and deep into the topics. More than just networking which is what I came for. Gained a lot of insight. Happy to hear from ALFED speakers and meet other members. Spoke to those I wanted to meet for future collaborations. It was great to meet them in person.
Norsk Hydro
It has been really positive. Good variety of topics and information on scrap, exports, the markets and technology which is what we came for. Would definitely come back again.
Richard Dawidek, Research and Business Engagement Lead, Henry Royce Institute
Really interesting high-level strategic talks from the tech specialists. Very useful content and a wide range of topics covering critical minerals, current challenges and how innovation can help. Have made some great connections too. I would definitely come again and recommend to others.
Sidd Sengupta, Principal, Hatch Advisory
I have met many people. I am positive that this event will continue to do well in future as it is a great community of people with lots of interesting and useful information. The day was planned out well from start to end.
Lee Gardner, Business Development, Hydroluminum
I really enjoyed Rachel Wiffen and Arcital’s talk but my favourite speaker was Dan Silver from Innoval. He was great! DTE had a great session too with his blindfold that I also enjoyed. Honestly, everyone was worth listening to even if their topics were not relevant to me. They were still interesting to hear and didn’t feel like they dragged.
Amelia Greene, Research Analyst, Concord Resources Ltd
I enjoyed it. I am new to the industry so it was very informative to learn and great to hear from a producer side. I have managed to make some UK contacts which is beneficial seeing that I am new. Very beneficial event for me and a great location too.
Chayton Troy, Business Development, CarbonChain
It’s really good. Interesting speakers and a wide range of relevant industry information for everyone. Good opportunity to speak with attendees and ask questions to speakers. Great to understand how regulations work like CBAM, as well as how to save costs and improve the supply chain transparency.
ASSOCIATION PARTNER
The Aluminium Federation (ALFED) is the unified voice of the UK aluminium industry, dedicated to promoting innovation, sustainability, and growth across all sectors from production and processing to recycling and trade. We advocate for our members by engaging with policymakers both domestically and internationally, championing fair market conditions, and supporting research and development. Through collaboration, we provide strategic direction, industry insights, and a platform for members to influence policy and drive positive change. ALFED is committed to safeguarding the future of the aluminium industry, ensuring its continued contribution to the economy and society.
Through the UK Aluminium Alliance and its Trade Committee, ALFED has been working closely with Government to ensure aluminium is properly understood in policy discussions on CBAM, the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme (BICS), scrap policy, energy pricing, and wider industrial support.
Sponsors
Innoval are a collective of expert consultants who work with partners to develop products and production methods that put sustainability, usability and efficiency first. We build long-term relationships to help organisations design, develop and manufacture better products for end-users and the environment.
The story of Storvik is about entrepreneurship, creativity, and viability for over 100 years. Storvik was founded in 1913 in Sunndal, Norway. Storvik has been a large part of the development of Sunndal as an industrial site and over the years, Storvik has expanded in various areas. From local acquisitions to international sales agreements and commitments that have helped strengthen the company.
Today Storvik is a mechanical and technical company specializing towards the process industry. Storvik delivers products and services world wide aiming to provide its client with sustainable solutions that will contribute to a lower cost of ownership and a decreased carbon footprint.
Storvik has about 130 employees and had an annual turnover of close to 380 million NOK in 2022.
MICAS Simulations Ltd trading as QForm UK is a professional engineering software used for the simulation, analysis, and optimization of metal forming processes providing excellent reliability. It covers the essential needs in metal forming simulation for large and small manufacturing companies as well as research and educational establishments.
Precimeter is a world leading supplier offering sensors, actuators,
electromagnetic pumps and more for molten metal applications.
Trusted by leading metal casting facilities worldwide.
Aluminium Casthouse Technologies, ACT Ltd, a newly formed associate Company of MQP Ltd, began operating in January 2019. Initially it will provide the aluminum industry with the well-established casthouse products, Refinal fused fluxes and BatchPilot automated furnace weight measuring equipment previously supplied by MQP. This will enable MQP to focus solely upon providing aluminium casthouses with high performance Optifine grain refiners.
ACT has worldwide coverage with technical personnel, agents and distributors ready to provide product information, technical help and back up service.
MQP was launched to become the world leader in advancing melt quality, helping casthouses and foundries produce the best aluminium to make the highest quality end products, make manufacturing cost efficiencies and cut carbon emissions.
Before aluminium can be turned into finished products, mined bauxite must be reduced down to create primary aluminium, which then has to be treated to remove unwanted oxides to enable it to solidify without cracking. This is achieved through the addition of a star ingredient. Grain refiner.
However, grain refiners on the market pre-2000 were notoriously inconsistent in performance, resulting in defects, poor quality material and waste. Results were up in the air and it was felt suppliers were hiding this from customers.
One of the key problems was casthouses had no way to accurately test their grain refiners, a nightmare considering the huge variation in performance.
MEDIA PARTNER
AL Circle is an integrated virtual ecosystem bringing the entire global aluminium value chain under one roof through news, business, and event platforms. Being driven by the mission to be a one-stop information and knowledge provider on the aluminium industry, AL Circle publishes latest news, interviews, blogs, event details and price updates daily. Committed to connecting the industry players, small and big, across the globe, we share business information and leads on AlCircleBiz, a B2B service platform, the world’s first global online marketplace for aluminium.
CONTACT THE TEAM
Have questions about Aluminium Outlook 2026? Our team is here to help. Feel free to contact us if you have any questions regarding, exhibiting, sponsorship or registration: