Sectoral Transition Plan of the French aluminium industry – Final report

Sectoral Transition Plan of the French aluminium industry – Final report

Survey of the industry, decarbonisation modelling and courses of action - Finance ClimAct

Présentation

The aluminium industry is one of the most electricity-intensive sectors. However, unlike in many producing countries, France's low-carbon electricity mix makes its decarbonisation pathway rather distinctive, as it mainly concerns direct Scope 1 emissions. Aligning the industry with France's National Low-Carbon Strategy (SNBC) — which targets an 81% reduction in industrial greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 — presents significant technological and market challenges. At the same time, rising demand for aluminium across various sectors (such as automotive, packaging, and infrastructure) adds further complexity. The development of two contrasting decarbonisation scenarios that meet the SNBC target reveals key uncertainties, particularly around the availability of inert anode technology and shifts in global trade patterns, especially considering the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). Beyond the scale of investment required, the industry above all needs long-term visibility and assurances — on technology readiness, energy prices, and access to recycled materials. Recycling will be central to decarbonisation efforts, yet its potential hinges on better sorting and collection of end-of-life products. Ultimately, aluminium exemplifies the broader issues of industrial sovereignty that have taken centre stage since the Covid-19 crisis and the war in Ukraine. With strong reliance on imports and increasing demand forecasted to 2050, the French and European aluminium industries must now confront the fundamental question: what kind of industrial model do we want for the future?
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Caractéristiques

Date de mise en ligne
18/04/2025
Type de document
Etude/Recherche
Nb. de pages
153 P
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Présentation
The aluminium industry is one of the most electricity-intensive sectors. However, unlike in many producing countries, France's low-carbon electricity mix makes its decarbonisation pathway rather distinctive, as it mainly concerns direct Scope 1 emissions. Aligning the industry with France's National Low-Carbon Strategy (SNBC) — which targets an 81% reduction in industrial greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 — presents significant technological and market challenges. At the same time, rising demand for aluminium across various sectors (such as automotive, packaging, and infrastructure) adds further complexity. The development of two contrasting decarbonisation scenarios that meet the SNBC target reveals key uncertainties, particularly around the availability of inert anode technology and shifts in global trade patterns, especially considering the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). Beyond the scale of investment required, the industry above all needs long-term visibility and assurances — on technology readiness, energy prices, and access to recycled materials. Recycling will be central to decarbonisation efforts, yet its potential hinges on better sorting and collection of end-of-life products. Ultimately, aluminium exemplifies the broader issues of industrial sovereignty that have taken centre stage since the Covid-19 crisis and the war in Ukraine. With strong reliance on imports and increasing demand forecasted to 2050, the French and European aluminium industries must now confront the fundamental question: what kind of industrial model do we want for the future?
Caractéristiques
Auteurs
ADEME
Public(s)
Bureaux d'études
Entreprises et fédérations professionnelles
Type de document
Etude/Recherche
Thématique
Industrie et production durable
Collection
Expertises
Date d'édition
04/2025
Date de mise en ligne
18/04/2025
Nb. de pages
153 P
Format
pdf/A4
Langue
Anglais
Périmètre de publication
International

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Sectoral Transition Plan of the French aluminium industry – Final report

Sectoral Transition Plan of the French aluminium industry – Final report