EUROPEAN ALUMINIUM

Their core work

European Aluminium is the industry association representing the European aluminium value chain, from primary production to recycling. In H2020 projects, they contribute sector-wide expertise on aluminium processing challenges — particularly bauxite residue management, critical raw materials substitution, and circular economy strategies. They act as the industry voice that connects research consortia to real-world aluminium market needs, ensuring project outcomes align with what producers and downstream users actually require. Their involvement spans the full lifecycle from raw material extraction through manufacturing to end-of-life recycling, with a strong emphasis on reducing the environmental footprint of aluminium production.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

In their early H2020 period (2015–2019), European Aluminium focused on fundamental challenges of primary aluminium production: bauxite residue (red mud) handling, rare earth element recovery, and resource efficiency in mineral processing. From 2020 onward, their focus shifted decisively toward circular economy applications — industrial symbiosis, CO2 utilization, waste heat recovery, and critical raw materials substitution for electric vehicles. This evolution mirrors the broader European policy shift from resource efficiency toward full circularity and decarbonization of heavy industry.

European Aluminium is moving toward electric vehicle supply chain sustainability and cross-sector waste valorization, making them increasingly relevant for automotive and construction partnerships.

How they like to work

European Aluminium participates exclusively as a consortium partner — never as coordinator — which is consistent with their role as an industry association that provides sector knowledge rather than leading technical research. With 163 unique partners across 23 countries, they operate as a well-connected hub that brings industry perspective to large research consortia. Their consistent participant role and broad network make them a reliable, low-friction partner for consortia that need an authoritative aluminium industry voice without the overhead of coordination responsibilities.

With 163 unique consortium partners across 23 countries, European Aluminium has one of the broadest collaboration networks relative to their project count, reflecting their role as a pan-European industry body. Their partnerships span research institutions, SMEs, and industrial players across virtually all EU member states.

What sets them apart

As the official European aluminium industry association based in Brussels, they offer something no university or SME can: direct access to the collective needs, constraints, and market realities of Europe's entire aluminium sector. Their involvement signals industry endorsement and ensures research outcomes have a viable path to adoption. For consortium builders, adding European Aluminium means adding a credible dissemination and exploitation channel to the entire aluminium value chain.

Highlights from their portfolio

• SALEMA
  Their joint-largest funded project (EUR 414,000), directly addressing critical raw materials substitution in aluminium alloys for electric vehicles — a high-priority EU strategic topic.
• ReActiv
  Largest single project contribution (EUR 415,000), tackling cement decarbonization through bauxite residue valorization — a strong cross-sector play between aluminium and construction.
• CORALIS
  Represents their clearest move into industrial symbiosis facilitation, connecting aluminium production waste streams with other sectors like cement and chemicals.