European Aluminium welcomes EU move to address scrap leakage

European Aluminium has welcomed the EU’s announcement that the European Commission is ready to address increasing scrap leakage from the continent.

Speaking at the European Aluminium Summit 2025, Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, Maroš Šefčovič, outlined that the Commission will begin designing a policy instrument to safeguard Europe’s access to adequate quantities of scrap.

The Commissioner stressed the importance of aluminium of scrap as well, describing it as having a central role in Europe’s green transition.

Šefčovič emphasised the pressure European aluminium recyclers are facing due to US Section 232 tariffs and sustained Asian demand.

These factors have contributed to 15% of EU recycling furnace capacity currently being idled.

Paul Voss, Director General of European Aluminium, added: “This is a strong and timely statement of intent from the Commission.

“Europe’s future will, to a large extent, depend on its ability to secure access to the raw materials that our economy and our society require. It is therefore hugely encouraging to see the EU acting so decisively to save our scrap.”