Innovations for decarbonization and energy efficiency at METEF 2025
Seventy-five percent of all aluminum produced to date is still in use, reflecting the material’s key role in the circular economy;
Aluminum, with its wide range of uses in automotive and transportation, construction, mechanical engineering, aerospace, packaging, and electronics, is critical to the ecological transition;
METEF returns March 5–7, 2025, at BolognaFiere to provide space for sustainable innovations and energy efficiency for the aluminum supply chain..
Milan, Nov. 4, 2024 – 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 green 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 step in the run-up to METEF will be a webinar on Nov. 12 titled “Aluminum between Sustainability and Critical Raw Material”, which aims to explore issues related to the sustainability of aluminum and emphasize its importance as a critical raw material in today’s context.
The Webinar will be 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.
The next edition of METEF will be held March 5–7, 2025, in conjunction with MECSPE.
About METEF
For 25 years, the METEF exhibition has been Italy’s only point of reference for the aluminum 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 diecasting, gravity and low-pressure foundry, extrusion, rolling and stamping sectors, to machining, assemblies, finishes and recycling technologies.
METEF is an event created and shaped in close collaboration with businesses and industry insiders. Today, in a global context of heated and difficult competitiveness, it is revived by focusing on the established expertise and experience of the industry segment.
As is customary, the industry’s top national and international associations’ unwavering support helps refocus attention on the industry’s development through an extraordinary cultural heritage that must tackle the new frontiers of technology and sustainable innovation.
METEF, for which Senaf has been appointed as the organizer, will be held concurrently with MECSPE, a landmark event for the manufacturing industry in Italy. The two events will be located in separate pavilions but adjacent to develop synergies and achieve common goals. A strong alliance between two events that are well known and established in their respective target markets, as well as complementarity and completeness of the product range offered, aim to offer visitors a complete and unmissable experience.
For further information visit www.mecspe.com/en
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