In 2021, the Innovation Hub established three ad-hoc Task Forces dedicated to recycling, hydrogen, and waste heat/ energy recovery respectively. Innovation in each of these areas is needed to drive forward the circularity and sustainability profile of the European aluminium industry.
European Aluminium also regularly organises workshops to bring attention to these topics. On 23-24 September 2021, a major online cross-fertilisation workshop, titled “Towards a more sustainable alumina production in Europe”, was organised under the umbrella of the EU’s RemovAl and ReActiv projects. On 17 November 2021, the Hub also organised an internal Workshop on the “Use of hydrogen as an alternative energy carrier for the aluminium industry.” It gathered about 100 participants from European Aluminium’s membership.
Further events are scheduled for 2022, including a webinar focused on “Exploring waste heat recovery potential and technologies for the aluminium industry”.
In addition, the Hub’s Recycling Task Force is working on a study to map innovative scrap preparation technologies. This initiative is sponsored by 12 European Aluminium member companies and is being carried out with the support of a research institute.

