MARKET CLOSE UP
SPECIAL ISSUE ON ARCHITECTURE & DESIGN
The Aluminium Surface Treatments Industry Does Not Stop: The Positive approach to Current Market and the Circular Economy are the Key Items of its Future Interview with José Almeida, President of ESTAL - European Association for Surface Treatment on Aluminium
I
n recent years, the demand for aluminium is constantly growing:
During the pandemic period, total aluminium business was less affected
thanks to its characteristics of versatility and lightness, this particular
compared to the other sectors such as automotive, tourism. However,
material has managed to conquer previously unattainable sectors,
the pandemic period brought considerable changes in the demand for
such as the automotive industry. The COVID-19 pandemic has
aluminium/aluminium surface treatments in most of the countries in the
only slowed its development, and that, consequently, of its surface
world. I will try to give you a picture of the European aluminium industry
treatments, without being able to stop it: our interview with José
with the actual situation from some of our members. In Portugal, the
Almeida, President of ESTAL, offers an overview of this optimistic
construction sector is one of the few that is still with significant growth,
approach to future developments of the market, which aluminium faces
whereas in Turkey, most of the surface treated aluminium goods are
as one of the leading elements of the circular economy.
consumed in the country for the architectural area and the construction sector was severely affected by the pandemic situation. Total exports
The European aluminium industry and, consequently, the
from Turkey decreased about 10% while total imports fell by around
sector addressed to its surface treatments, always shows great
5% for the aluminium sector. However, for Turkish surface treatment
ferment. Could you give us an overview of its pre- and post-
business, more decrease is expected.
pandemic situation?
In Belgium, many companies in the building industry immediately closed
In the past couple of years, most European countries recorded
their shops during the lockdown, others tried to continue but once the
a substantial growth in aluminium demand (and consequently,
suppliers from abroad could not deliver anymore, they also had to close
in aluminium surface treatment demand) in all sectors, namely
down. Three weeks after lockdown, things seemed to start up again and
construction, industrial, automotive markets for example.
the industry tried to make up for lost time/business. For Austrian companies, the situation seems to be stable but on a lower basis, with a loss of approx. 10% in 2020.
© Ado be Sto ck
The industrial sector suffered considerably during the confinement
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N. 65 - SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2020 - international PAINT&COATING magazine