Aluminium International Today Issue
March/April 2020

Going viral

The term ‘viral’ has taken a very different turn over the last couple of months and according to reports, the Coronavirus outbreak could not have come at a worse time for the aluminium market.

Reuters recently reported that global demand fell last year for the first time since the global financial crisis and quarantine measures in place for workers in China have resulted in a short-term ‘demand shock’ across the world market.

While some might welcome a drop in products from China, with the region accounting for 56% of global output last year, the potential for disruption is unfolding.

Changing the subject, but sticking with disruptions, the first Cyber Security in Aluminium Workshop was held in February in Coventry, UK.

The idea was to gather manufacturers and processors from across the supply chain to assess the risk and look at what measures should be in place to protect operations, people and plants in the event of a data breach.

Cyber security was discussed from business, legal and academic perspectives, to give participants an overview of all threats and opportunities for improvement. There was also an interactive crisis simulation, which saw participants work in teams to respond to an escalating cyber security crisis.

The main takeaway was that we need to change the way we manage risk...which seems fitting to end on this month!

Nadine Bloxsome,
Editor, Aluminium International Today

Front cover courtesy of Granco Clark