Driving Low-Carbon Transition, Connecting Global Markets: China Aluminum Industry Green and Low-Carbon Development Forum Held in Düsseldorf

On the afternoon of October 6 (local time), the China Aluminum Industry Green and Low-Carbon Development Forum—a major concurrent event of ALUMINIUM Düsseldorf 2026—was successfully held. Co-hosted by the China Nonferrous Metals Fabrication Industry Association and RX (Reed Exhibitions), the forum brought together experts and industry representatives from the domestic and international aluminum value chains to engage in in-depth dialogue regarding green transition, industrial upgrading, and international cooperation.

Speeches were delivered by Fan Shunke, Deputy Party Secretary of the China Nonferrous Metals Industry Association and Chairman of the China Nonferrous Metals Fabrication Industry Association; Guido Aufdemkamp, Executive Director of the Global Aluminium Foil Roller Initiative (GLAFRI); and Li Yuanyuan, Project Director at RX China.

Fan Shunke noted that the global aluminum industry is at a critical juncture of transformation and upgrading, making deepened international dialogue and strengthened industrial collaboration essential for sustainable development. He highlighted the achievements of the high-quality development of China's aluminum industry: large-scale, low-energy-consumption electrolytic cells (500kA and 600kA) have become the mainstream; energy consumption for electrolytic aluminum has led the world for over two consecutive decades, sitting 2,000 kWh/tonne lower than the international average; the share of clean energy used in electrolytic aluminum production exceeds 30%, surpassing renewable energy targets; and recycled aluminum accounts for over 20% of total production, showing strong growth momentum. He stated that aluminum is a key foundational material supporting the global green transition, and the Chinese aluminum industry is committed to deepening international exchanges and working together to build a new global aluminum industry ecosystem characterized by mutual benefit and shared success.

Guido Aufdemkamp remarked that the green transition spans the entire aluminum value chain and that China's aluminum industry plays a prominent role in the global shift toward low-carbon operations. He suggested that the industry should strengthen exchanges on energy-saving and recycling technologies, harmonize carbon accounting standards, foster synergy across the upstream and downstream supply chain, and achieve a credible green transition driven by the dual engines of low-carbon production and recycling. Li Yuanyuan noted that, given the current uncertainties in the global market, face-to-face interaction holds even greater value. RX will continue to leverage the strengths of its exhibition platform to help domestic and international enterprises build bridges, driving the industry to move beyond dialogue toward practical cooperation.

Li Yuanyuan noted that uncertainty in the global business environment continues to rise, presenting new challenges for markets, supply chains, and corporate decision-making. In times like these, face-to-face interaction is particularly valuable.

During the keynote session, presentations were delivered by Mo Xinda, Director of the Light Metals Department (Trade Remedy Office) at the China Nonferrous Metals Industry Association; Meng Shuang, Vice Chairman of the China Nonferrous Metals Fabrication Industry Association and Director of Shandong Nanshan Aluminum Co., Ltd.; Chen Weixin, Director of Jiangsu Dingsheng New Energy Materials Co., Ltd.; and Wu Zhitao, Vice Chairman of the China Nonferrous Metals Fabrication Industry Association and Executive Director of Shandong Huajian Aluminum Group Co., Ltd.

Mo Xinda outlined China's efforts to achieve peak carbon emissions in the aluminum industry. He explained that China is steadily reducing carbon emissions through measures such as strictly controlling electrolytic aluminum capacity, increasing the consumption of green electricity, and refining carbon accounting systems, adding that the country is willing to share its development experience with the global industry chain.

Meng Shuang, Chen Weixin, and Wu Zhitao analyzed the current status, data, and development trends of the aluminum sheet/strip, aluminum foil, and aluminum extrusion sectors, respectively. They also shared practical achievements made by Nanshan Aluminum, Dingsheng New Materials, and Huajian Aluminum in areas such as green production, recycled aluminum application, and intelligent upgrades. All three sectors are evolving toward greener and smarter operations, continuously expanding downstream applications—such as in the new energy sector—to jointly build a healthy global aluminum processing industry ecosystem.

Serving as a vital international exchange window for the ALUMINIUM exhibition, this forum established a platform for dialogue between the Chinese and international aluminum industries. By engaging with the global market with an open attitude, sharing experiences in green transformation, and jointly exploring paths toward sustainable development, China's aluminum industry is helping the global aluminum supply chain move collaboratively toward a low-carbon future.