The focus of the ESTAL Congress, which takes place every two years, was primarily on current developments that are influenced by the decisions of the EU Commission. These included the aluminum value chain in a changing Europe and the effects of the new EU building regulations on the surface treatment of aluminum.
Focus on resource efficiency and industrial emissions
The speakers presented new products, finishing processes and test methods that further increase the sustainability and quality of the industry. The surface treatment of recycled aluminum also played an important role. Particular attention was paid to innovations in the area of resource efficiency and industrial emissions as well as future-oriented technologies, such as surface conversion treatments for 3D-printed, additively manufactured aluminum.
Surface finishing receives political attention in the EU
The keynote speaker at the start of the second day of the congress was Yannis Maniatis, Vice-President of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists & Democrats (S&D) Group, Member of the European Parliament and former Minister for the Environment, Energy and Climate Change. He spoke about the "Aluminum sector at the crossroads: challenges and opportunities in the context of ecological and strategic change". His participation shows that the issues of surface finishing are being perceived and addressed politically in the EU. The ESTAL Congress also provided an opportunity to deepen contacts across national borders and strengthen networks, including across various sub-sectors.