The aluminium market - Italy

The global aluminum market has shown resilience and growth despite facing challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused a decline in demand from key industries like automotive and construction. As of 2020, the market began to recover, with China remaining the dominant producer, contributing to 58% of the 67,000 tons of aluminum produced worldwide. The Italian market, in particular, saw a strong recovery post-pandemic, with a 25.7% increase in employment and a turnover of €12 billion in 2021, a 30% increase from 2020.

Germany is Italy's most significant trade partner in aluminum, with Italy having a positive trade balance of approximately $1.147 billion. The construction industry, currently consuming 1.2 million tons of aluminum annually in Europe, is also a significant segment. The future of aluminum looks promising, with potential expansion in the electric vehicle market and developments in aluminum-based battery technology, potentially offering a more sustainable alternative to lithium batteries.

Aluminum Market Trends in Italy: Navigating Growth and Constraints

Italy's aluminum market, much like its global counterpart, has been on a trajectory of growth, influenced by diverse industrial demands and innovative trends. With applications spanning across transportation, construction, packaging, and more, there's no denying the versatile appeal of aluminum in both national and global markets. The Italian aluminum industry boasts a robust performance, with recent figures indicating the country generated a turnover of approximately between €10 and €15 billion, a notable increase from prior periods. The vitality of this market is further underscored by a per capita consumption rate of around 30 to 40 kg, which is among the highest in the world, reflecting the metal's substantial integration in various aspects of Italian industry and consumer products. Diving into specific sectors, the automotive industry emerges as a primary consumer, significantly contributing to the growing demand for aluminum. On average, today's vehicles incorporate between 80 and 100 kg of aluminum, and this value is anticipated to climb by 10 to 15 percent over the next few years. Paired with the burgeoning electric vehicle market, the need for aluminum continues to surge as manufacturers seek to balance battery weight with the lightweight properties of aluminum. 

The Italian market, in particular, benefits from government incentives like the "Superbonus 110", which has invigorated the construction sector and, by extension, increased the demand for aluminum. However, Italy's strength in processing and recycling aluminum overshadows its local production capabilities. Given the country's lack of bauxite resources and the energy-intensive nature of primary aluminum production, Italy primarily relies on the importation of raw materials, with nations such as Germany being significant trade partners. This dependency on imports presents both an opportunity and a constraint. The imposition of tariffs on Russian aluminum, for instance, due to geopolitical tensions, has challenged the European aluminum market, disproportionately affecting small and medium enterprises that are pivotal to the sector's employment rates. The COVID-19 pandemic, too, has left its mark, throttling demand as industries like automotive and metallurgy contended with reduced sales. Yet, recovery seems to be on the horizon with commodity prices rebounding and global production catching up. Looking forward, the bright prospect of aluminum-sulfur batteries, with their cost-effectiveness and easier recycling compared to lithium counterparts, could usher in a new era of demand for the versatile metal.

Prominent Market Players in the Aluminum Industry Landscape

In the dynamic world of the aluminum industry, companies across various segments have established themselves as significant contributors and innovators. Here we spotlight key enterprises that are shaping the landscape of aluminum production, processing, and product development, each carving out their niche within the broad spectrum of applications for this versatile metal.

• Foundries - The Backbone of Aluminum Supply Foundries are pivotal in the aluminum industry, acting as a source for the vast array of industries that require aluminum in various forms. Leading foundries like Raffmetal S.P.A. and Intals S.P.A. are central to this segment, with their expertise in refining, alloying, and preparing aluminum for downstream use. They play a critical role in ensuring the quality and performance characteristics necessary for specialized applications.
• Semi-Finished and Finished Products Production - Shaping Innovation Once aluminum leaves the foundries, companies specializing in semi-finished and finished products take the baton. These companies, such as Thin Lamination S.P.A., Profilglass S.P.A., Slim Aluminum S.P.A., Metra S.P.A., and Novelis Italia S.P.A., push the boundaries of what can be done with aluminum. From architectural solutions to tailored components for various industries, they manipulate aluminum into forms that meet the precise needs of their clients, aiding in everything from construction to automobile manufacturing.
• Consumer Products - Closing the Loop The journey of aluminum often ends in consumer products, and firms like Cuki Cofresco S.r.l. play a vital role in this final segment. With a focus on packaging solutions that leverage aluminum’s protective qualities and recyclability, these companies contribute to an aluminum lifecycle that often sees this material returning to the foundries to begin anew.

Together, these key players - the foundries, the processors, and the consumer product specialists - form an interconnected ecosystem that ensures aluminum continues to be an essential material in modern society, from conception to reincarnation. Each company reflects crucial stages of the aluminum value chain, and their synergistic roles underline the market's breadth and adaptability. Through their ongoing efforts, the future of aluminum looks brighter and more innovative than ever.

Inforamtion

• Number of pages : 30 pages
• Format : Digital and PDF versions
• Last update : 13/07/2023

Summary and extracts

List of charts

• Produzione di alluminio primario
• Produzione alluminio primario
• Breakdown of sales by product
• Futturato produzione di alluminio
• Aluminum export destinations
• Aluminum Import-Export Evolution
• Aluminum imports
• Aluminum import destinations
• Mercato alluminio nazionale
• Immatricolazioni autovetture
• Aziende nell'industria dell'alluminio per regione
• Imprese produttrici di alluminio
• Forma giuridica società settore alluminio
• Occupati settore metallurgia
• Automotive turnover
• Fatturato settore metallurgia
• Ripartizione del mercato degli imballaggi, per materiale
• Giro d'affari fabbricazione di imballaggi metallici leggeri
• Produzione bauxite
• Riserve bauxite
• Prezzi alla produzione industria alluminio
• Costo batterie per tipologia