Aluminium with its wide range of uses in automotive and transport, construction, mechanical engineering, aerospace, packaging and electronics is crucial for the energy transition.
The aluminum industry is preparing to meet again in Italy at METEF, the international benchmark exhibition for the aluminum supply chain organized by Senaf, at BolognaFiere March 5–7, 2025.
In a global context where sustainability plays an increasingly crucial role, METEF will focus on the energy transition and environmental challenges facing the sector, with a special focus on energy efficiency and decarbonization.
The goal is to support the industry as it moves toward a more sustainable and energy-efficient future, with support from the government’s recently approved Transition 5.0 Plan, which provides €6.3 billion for entrepreneurs embracing the energy transition.
An opportunity for those who intend to invest in sustainable solutions and reduce the environmental impact of their production activities.
Industry and sustainability
According to MECSPE Observatory data for the second quarter of 2024, as of today, only 30 percent of entrepreneurs consider their companies fairly or very sustainable, while 44 percent [1] consider themselves moderately sustainable.
While these data demonstrate the great attention to the issue in the sector, they highlight that there is still a long way to go to reduce the environmental impact of Italy’s manufacturing fabric. However, more and more companies are paying attention to these issues.
This is also evident from the increase in the amount of recycled aluminum, if we consider that in Europe, recycling rates exceed 90 percent[2] in the automotive and construction sectors, and in the aluminum packaging sector in particular, Italy has achieved a recycling rate of 70 percent, far exceeding the EU targets set for 2025 (50 percent) and 2030 (60 percent)[3].
It is also recorded that in Europe, 95 percent[4] of aluminum used in automobiles is collected at the end of its life cycle. This is a strong signal that the industry is already leading the way in sustainable material management.
Aluminum, due its ability to be recycled indefinitely without losing quality, is a key resource for the ecological transition. In fact, recycling aluminum requires only 5 percent of the energy needed to produce the primary metal, which is crucial to reducing the carbon footprint of the entire production cycle.
In addition, 75%[5] of all aluminum produced to date is still in use, demonstrating this material’s extraordinary durability and sustainability. However, the industry still faces significant challenges, such as further reducing CO2 emissions and optimizing production processes.
The new edition of METEF will focus on sustainable innovations for the aluminum supply chain, with a focus on technological advances and virtuous practices implemented by companies in the sector, fostering an increasingly energy-efficient and environmentally friendly approach.
In this context, the event will be a showcase to propose concrete solutions that can contribute to the decarbonization and energy transition path of the aluminum industry.
«Sustainability is one of the main thrusts of our trade shows» says Maruska Sabato, project manager of MECSPE, Senaf’s flagship event for the manufacturing industry in Italy, which will be held in conjunction with METEF.
«The approval of the Transition 5.0 Plan represents an extraordinary opportunity for Italian companies, particularly those in the aluminum and nonferrous metals industries, to innovate by focusing on the ecological transition. By focusing on reducing environmental impact and process innovation, companies will be able to successfully meet today’s many challenges and become increasingly competitive. With this in mind, our fairs offer a rich program of insights and meetings to stimulate growth and discussion with the entire supply chain and industry experts.»
METEF creates a perfect opportunity to promote discussion among the various players in the supply chain: manufacturers, technology suppliers, and, in particular, the essential contribution of the main national and international industry associations.
Roadshow toward METEF 2025
In the run-up to METEF, the aluminum and nonferrous metals industry recently met at the SAIE construction fair as part of the “Aluminum Plaza in Construction“.
Through conferences and roundtables, the different players in the supply chain were able to explore market trends in the aluminum building industry with a common thread—characterizing all speeches—represented by the importance of enhancing and communicating the enormous advantages of aluminum in building and construction to the fullest; in fact, aluminum is widely used in construction and architecture due to its versatility, lightness, strength, and ease of processing, as well as its ability to be recycled.
It is used in a wide range of applications, such as doors, windows, roofs, facades, stairs, railings and infrastructure. Particularly interesting was the novelty presented at the fair of the house with an all-aluminum supporting structure.
Another milestone in the run-up to METEF was the webinar on 12 November entitled “Aluminum between Sustainability and Critical Raw Material“, which set out to explore issues related to the sustainability of aluminium and to emphasize its importance as a critical raw material in the today’s context.
The webinar was structured in two key moments: a presentation of the market framework with an overview of the development of the aluminum sector at the European level and a discussion between two major aluminum producers aimed at delving into the different strategies and best practices in place for resource optimization.
About METEF
For 25 years, METEF has been Italy’s only point of reference for the aluminium industrial supply chain: from raw, primary and recycled materials, to machinery, equipment, production and processing plants, semi-finished products, castings and finished products in the sectors of diecasting, gravity and low-pressure foundry, extrusion, rolling and moulding, up to machining, assemblies, finishes and recycling technologies.
METEF is an event that was created and shaped in close collaboration with companies and industry professionals and today, in a global context of fierce competition, it is re-proposed by focusing on the consolidated expertise and experience of the industry segment.
As traditionally, it is strengthened by the irreplaceable support of the main national and international associations of the sector, to bring the development of the industry back to centre stage through an extraordinary heritage of culture that must measure itself against the new frontiers of technology and the new challenges of sustainable innovation.
METEF, whose organization is entrusted to Senaf, will be held concurrently with MECSPE, Senaf’s reference event for the manufacturing industry in Italy.
The two events will be located in separate but adjoining pavilions to develop synergies and achieve common goals. A strong alliance between two events that are well known and consolidated in their respective reference markets, complementarity and completeness of the product range on offer with the aim of offering visitors a complete and unmissable experience.
[1] MECSPE Observatory, 2nd Quarter 2024.
[2] European Aluminium Association.
[3] CIAL 2023–Consorzio Nazionale Imballaggi Alluminio 2023.
[4] European Aluminium Association.
