The Turkish aluminium industry event, ALUEXPO returned for the first time since COVID-19. The event was open between 3rd – 4th March 2022 in Istanbul.
On the first day of the event, it was clear to see that despite the challenges presented to the industry by COVID-19, the global Aluminium community came together. The event, in collaboration with the 10th Aluminium Symposium - brought to us by TALSAD, The event discussed the ‘present and future for the aluminium industry’, from primary aluminium to end-stream products. It also celebrates TALSAD’s 50th anniversary.
The Symposium was introduced by Göksal Güngör (right), Executive Committee Chairman and President of Galfri Global Aluminium Foil Roller Initiative. Mr Güngör commented that the event was supported by a record ‘29 sponsors’ and also had 25 members of the Scientific Committee from 13 different countries, guest speakers from all over the world and participants who have submitted presentations.
Next was Ali Kibar (left), TALSAD chairman of the Board, who announced that there were over 300 exhibitors all focusing on the new direction of the industry. This new direction for aluminium, in the Turkish industry, was elaborated on by Mustafa Varanik, Ministry of Industry and Technology who concluded that: “Turkey’s aim is to harness the need and benefits of aluminium, as it’s demand is high and they have the source… we want to make Turkey the number one supplier.”
This was followed by an awards ceremony for the Gold Sponsors.
During a break, visitors were able to see the stands of key industry leaders, such as ASAS, Assan Alüminyum, SMS, and more.
Paul Voss, the newly appointed Director General of European Aluminium, spoke on the role of Aluminium in the world, and European Aluminium. He stated that “the European aluminium industry creates one million jobs globally.” Mr Voss continued with a forecast commenting that: “global demand for aluminium is expected to rise by 50% by 2050 - 50% of which will be recycled aluminium.” He concluded that the “global challenges [that we have experienced as an industry] are [encouraging the industry] to a search for global solutions.”
Ross Strachan, lead analyst from CRU, discussed the present and future of Aluminium prices, discussing the influence of the China Aluminium market on prices to the present effect of sanctions on Russia, and what to consider.
Guido Aufdemkamp, executive director of the European Aluminium Foil Association (EAFA), discussed how to make aluminium foil circular on the recycling technologies for aluminium foil. He concluded that flexible packaging with aluminium foil can be recycled, technologies must be harnessed for both the commercialisation and application and the next steps for aluminium packaging is trialling different sorting technologies as well as combining multiple technologies to utilise the benefits of aluminium packaging.
With the second day packed full of discussion, stands and networking, the event was a success; and the aluminium industry has returned back to live events.
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A full review of the event will be published in the May/June issue of Aluminium International Today.