In this second instalment of our wider aluminium industry report, we update our estimation of the contribution of the wider aluminium industry with the most recent data and expand the scope by including a larger share of aluminium castings. We also discuss our efforts in, and the challenges of, estimating the economic contribution of aluminium to the UK automotive sector. We estimate the gross value added (GVA) contribution of aluminium in UK passenger vehicles to be approximately £1billion. We however caution the official use of this figure in the absence of more detailed data.
Economic indicators for the wider aluminium industry
- The wider aluminium industry directly employs 39,000 people across the UK, with the largest share of those employed located in the West Midlands.
- The wider aluminium industry directly contributes around £2.9 billion in GVA to the UK economy
Economic impact of the wider aluminium industry
The wider aluminium industry is closely tied to many other parts of the UK economy. The production and manufacturing of aluminium goods requires purchasing from suppliers, supporting output, and employment across the UK.
Our economic model of the UK has been used to estimate the amount of economic activity supported directly and through spill-over impacts. We find the wider aluminium industry:
- Supports the employment of 104,000 full-time equivalent (FTE) jobs across the UK.
- Supports the contribution of £7.4 billion in GVA.
The FAI produced this report in collaboration with the Aluminium Federation (ALFED). ALFED represents producers and other key stakeholders operating within the wider aluminium industry.
Read more: The Aluminium Industry in the UK Report 2022
