With more than 170 members across the entire UK aluminium supply chain, the Aluminium Federation (ALFED) represents businesses who process, trade, and work with aluminium. We foster innovation, promote best practice, develop skills, and champion member interests. As the voice of the UK industry, our mission is to expand the market for aluminium products by helping members solve problems, lobby government and boost their competitiveness. Whether it’s providing technical support, delivering market insight, informing trade policy or offering networking opportunities – everything we do focuses on helping UK aluminium capitalise on opportunities.
Why Aluminium?
Aluminium is an affordable, highly recyclable material that supports a global circular economy. It is valued for it being so lightweight; its one-third of the density of steel, making it ideal for applications where weight reduction is crucial. Despite its lightness, aluminium also offers excellent strength and durability, and is corrosion resistant as it naturally forms a protective oxide layer, making it resistant to corrosion. Aluminium is also an excellent conductor of heat and electricity, and is 100% recyclable without losing its properties, making it environmentally friendly; around 75% of aluminium ever produced is still in use today.
How are we helping to promote aluminium’s role as a critical material for a sustainable future?
This year, with the formation of the new Government, it’s more important than ever to showcase how aluminium is a key contributor to the UK economy. For instance, in a 2024 report we recently worked on with the Fraser of Allander Institute to provide an updated analysis of the UK aluminium industry, it was concluded that the aluminium industry has now surpassed pre-covid levels, directly contributing £1.5 billion to the country’s economy. As the voice of the UK industry, ALFED remains committed to working with sector and government representatives to champion for a long-term industrial strategy, and this mission has been proposed in the launch of our UK aluminium manifesto, showcased for the first time at our Annual House of Lords Lunch, which this year focussed on the theme of implementing a comprehensive industrial strategy for the UK aluminium sector.
The manifesto focuses on doubling down on policies for net zero, safeguarding energy security, and developing a clear industrial strategy to support sustainable aluminium production. Commenting on the launch of the UK Aluminium Manifesto, ALFED’s Nadine Bloxsome stated: “The aluminium industry plays a pivotal role in driving economic growth and innovation in the UK. The launch of the UK Aluminium Manifesto reaffirms our commitment to advocating for policies that support the growth and sustainability of the aluminium sector. By working together with policymakers and industry stakeholders, we can unlock the full potential of aluminium to drive economic prosperity and address the challenges of climate change.”
A lot of the points outlined in the UK Aluminium Manifesto were echoed in King Charles’ III’s recent speech in the House of Lords. Within His Majesty’s address, he highlighted not only that securing economic growth will be a key mission for the new Government, but also the plans for the establishment of an Industrial Strategy Council, pursuing sustainable growth by encouraging investment in industry, skills, and new technologies, and finally the commitment to a clean energy transition.
Pinpointing the aluminium sectors role in these aims, the industry is not only a key contributor to the clean energy transition, but due to it’s recyclable and environmentally friendly nature, and being the ‘strategic metal’ of the future, it can also contribute to the pursuit of sustainable growth.
Looking Ahead to the ALUMINIUM Show 2024!
The ALUMINIUM Show is the world’s leading trade show and B2B platform for the aluminium industry and its main application industries – the show focuses on solutions for automotive, mechanical engineering, building and construction, aerospace, electronics, packaging and transportation. As the industry’s most important platform, ALUMINIUM brings together producers, processors, end consumers and technology suppliers along the entire value chain from more than 100 countries.
ALFED Chief Executive Officer, Nadine Bloxsome will be in attendance at the show in Dusseldorf from the 8th-10th October 2024! Keep an eye out for her on the judging panel for the inaugural Women with Metal – The ALUMINIUM Awards; the award ceremony looking to celebrate the achievements of those recognised as being among the strongest, most influential women in the aluminium industry.
To find out more about ALFED, or to become a member, please visit: www.alfed.org.uk.
