We are fast approaching that time of year when many of us will take a vacation and reflect on what has been achieved in the year so far, and what more has to be done before we get to the snows of winter.
For European Metals there is plenty to reflect on, not least the achievements of the sector and the association during the past four years under the leadership of our outgoing President Evangelos Mytilineos. You can read his views on what has happened and what still needs to be done in the first article below, needless to say, the world for non-ferrous metals has significantly changed in the last two years since the launch of the Critical Raw Materials Act and the subsequent competitiveness agenda, but – spoiler alert – it won't surprise you to read that there is still a lot to be done.
The majority of that work will now be in the hands of our incoming President Inge Hofkens: congratulations on her election with unanimous backing at our General Assembly in Athens! In our next edition, Inge will outline her priorities and objectives for the coming two years – make sure you don’t miss that!
We have had a busy few months leading up to the summer, with continuing files of importance still coming out – not least the ETS review later this week, the ongoing CRM Act amendment in the European Parliament, our great work on all things water-related and the work we are doing on copper scrap exports and the Circular Economy Act. Not to forget the efforts on the Industrial Accelerator Act! We are for sure looking forward to the summer and recharging our batteries. Our newsletter will be back in September, so until then have a great break!
Dr James Watson
Director General of European Metals
Editorial
From Recognition to Delivery: Safeguarding Europe’s Metals Core for the Next Generations
Over the course of my two-term tenure as President of European Metals, a multidimensional shift was completed both in the European public debate and in the European Union’s own approach to industrial policy: critical raw materials, circular metals and security of supply now stand at the core of discussions on European strategic autonomy.
During this four-year period, and particularly over the past two years, European Metals contributed decisively to ensuring that metals are recognized as a foundation of Europe’s present and future policy objectives, and that industrial capacity is acknowledged as strategic strength for Europe.
What began as a period of crisis management evolved into a broader course correction in European policy thinking. In 2022, energy prices were rising, smelters were closing or remaining idle, and Europe’s dependence on imported raw materials could no longer be treated as a secondary concern. The immediate challenge was to respond to an acute industrial crisis, however the deeper responsibility was to change the way Europe perceives metals.
At the same time, Europe had to confront a new industrial reality shaped by persistently high energy costs, increasing geopolitical fragmentation and the need to reconcile climate ambition with a realistic pace for the energy transition. These challenges reinforced the case that industrial resilience must become an integral part of Europe's competitiveness agenda.
That shift is now visible. Today, metals are increasingly understood as indispensable assets for competitiveness, technological leadership, economic security, defence, energy systems, digital infrastructure and critical supply chains. European Metals helped move to the centre of European policy momentum the message that metals should not be treated as an isolated sector, but as a strategic pillar of Europe’s capacity to produce, innovate, compete and defend its interests.
European Metals did not simply adapt to this policy shift; it helped shape it by consistently bringing forward practical proposals that demonstrated competitiveness, circularity and strategic autonomy are mutually reinforcing rather than competing objectives.
EU-level initiatives such as the Steel and Metals Action Plan, the Critical Raw Materials Act, the Clean Industrial Deal, RESourceEU and the Industrial Accelerator Act demonstrate how industrial competitiveness has become firmly embedded at the heart of the European agenda for sustainability, autonomy and resilience. They also reflect a recognition that Europe’s industrial base is not a legacy of the past, but a prerequisite for the future. There can be no credible strategy for decarbonization, digitalization, defence or economic security without the metals and materials that make these ambitions possible.
Equally important, circularity has evolved from an environmental objective into an industrial imperative. This shift is increasingly reflected in initiatives such as the forthcoming Circular Economy Act, discussions on scrap leakage measures and the implementation of the Critical Raw Materials Act, creating new opportunities to strengthen Europe's strategic autonomy through circular metals value chains.
The transition, within 2026, from the name Eurometaux to the new European Metals identity reflects this deeper evolution and marked a new tone for the sector: more confident, more outward-looking and more aligned with the scale of Europe’s industrial challenge.
Yet this is not the end of the journey. It is the midpoint. If recognition was the first step, delivery must now follow. Europe has reached a crossroads where the implementation of policy will determine the industrial landscape of the coming years. The frameworks are increasingly in place, but frameworks alone do not preserve capacity, unlock investment or rebuild competitiveness. They must now be translated into operational decisions with the versatility and clarity required by today’s industrial realities.
Challenges such as persistently high industrial energy costs, the need for an effective Clean Industrial State Aid Framework (CISAF), exports of scrap outside Europe, excessive bureaucracy, geopolitical fragmentation, global trade pressures and structurally higher regulatory and carbon costs remain and have in fact become more complex. Decisions on the Emissions Trading System, the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, the forthcoming Circular Economy Act, the implementation of the Critical Raw Materials Act and measures to prevent strategic scrap leakage will largely determine Europe's industrial prospects.
That is why the next chapter for European Metals requires a move from strategic declarations to implementable policies, through an integrated and coherent framework for a circular metals economy. Europe should not operate in silos. Energy affordability, access to finance, faster permitting, investment acceleration, supply chain resilience, circularity, carbon policy, defence and public funding priorities are all interconnected.
None of these issues can be solved in isolation. Together, they will decide whether Europe can retain the metals value chains it needs, or whether strategic materials, industrial value and technological leadership will continue to drain away to other competing regions. If Europe allows production to leave, along with the factories, it loses the very building blocks of securing autonomy and leverage for years to come.
This is the legacy of the past four years: a sector that was previously insufficiently recognized but now stands at the centre of Europe’s industrial debate. A policy agenda that began with the need to defend existing capacity now points towards a more ambitious vision for Europe’s future. A European association that has renewed its identity and sharpened its mission at the very moment when its voice is most needed.
The task now is clear: The progress achieved must not slow down and the metals industry should continue working with European institutions as one, with a shared responsibility for our collective advancement.
As I conclude my tenure, I would like to wish every success to Inge Hofkens as she takes on the Presidency of European Metals. The challenges ahead are significant, but so are the opportunities. Europe holds the capability, the expertise, the technology and the industrial ambition to secure its place in the world. What it needs now is the courage to seize that reality with actionable policy.
The course correction that has begun must come full circle so that European industry can regain, on new and sustainable terms, the key position it rightfully deserves in our continent’s future.
Evangelos Mytilineos
Executive Chairman of Metlen Energy & Metals
European Metals’ General Assembly and Policy Discussion Held in Athens
On 1 July, European Metals held its Annual General Assembly in Athens, kindly hosted by Metlen. The meeting marked the conclusion of the four-year presidency of Evangelos Mytilineos, Executive Chairman of Metlen, and the election of Inge Hofkens, COO for Multi Metal Recycling at Aurubis, as the new President of European Metals for the next two years.
The General Assembly was followed by a high-level policy discussion featuring Aleksandra Kordecka, Cabinet of Executive Vice-President Stéphane Séjourné and Stellina Siarapi, Secretary General for Private Investments at the Greek Ministry of Development. The discussion explored the strategic importance of non-ferrous metals for Europe's competitiveness, resilience and clean transition, as well as the evolving EU policy landscape and the opportunities and challenges facing the sector.
As part of the programme, members also had the opportunity to visit Metlen's industrial facilities, gaining first-hand insight into the company's integrated operations and its contribution to Europe's energy transition through innovation, sustainable production and industrial excellence.
The site visit provided a valuable opportunity to exchange views on the opportunities and challenges facing the sector while strengthening collaboration among members.
As we begin this new chapter, we would like to express our gratitude to Evangelos Mytilineos for his leadership, dedication and vision over the past four years. His presidency has helped strengthen the organisation and position European Metals as a leading voice for the sector in Brussels. We also extend our thanks to the entire Metlen team for their warm hospitality, excellent organisation and generous welcome throughout our stay in Athens.
Under the leadership of President Inge Hofkens, European Metals will now continue to promote collaboration across the sector, advocate for a competitive and resilient industrial framework, and champion the strategic role of non-ferrous metals in achieving Europe's economic, climate and security objectives.
We look forward to continuing our work with members, partners and policymakers to support a more competitive, resilient and sustainable European metals industry!
In the Press
This month, our organisation garnered more than 130 media mentions. Below, we highlight the leading publications that featured our organisation during this period:
Hydro will invest around €100 million to restart 75,000 tonnes of curtailed primary aluminium production at Slovalco in Slovakia, reinforcing Europe's domestic supply of a critical raw material after securing an agreement with the Slovak government. The restart, expected by the second quarter of 2027 pending European Commission approval of Slovakia's revised carbon compensation scheme, marks a significant step in strengthening Europe's industrial resilience and reducing dependence on imported aluminium.
ElvalHalcor has been named a 2026 Ford Supplier of the Year in the Supply Chain Excellence category for its outstanding performance, collaboration and delivery to the automaker during 2025. The award highlights ElvalHalcor's role as a strategic supplier of advanced aluminium solutions to the automotive industry and underscores its commitment to operational excellence, innovation and resilient supply chains.
European Metals – Recent Event Highlights
The two events featured below reflected this renewed momentum, creating a space for policymakers, industry leaders and experts to exchange ideas and shape the future of Europe’s Metals sector.
The 5th Symposium on Materials & Products in Contact with Drinking Water brought together policymakers, regulators, industry and technical experts to discuss the latest EU developments on drinking water materials. The event focused on compliance, testing and implementation, while encouraging open dialogue and the exchange of practical experiences.
Jointly organisedby European Metals, the European Drinking Water Alliance (EDW) and EurEau, the Symposium reinforced the value of collaboration in shaping safer and more sustainable drinking water systems.
The 2nd European Metals Annual Conferencegathered experts fromthefull value chainto discuss the future of Europe's metals sector. Discussions focused on strengthening industrial competitiveness, securing critical raw materials and supporting Europe's green and digital transitions.
The programme featured keynote speeches from Paulina Dejmek Hack, Radan Kanev, Laia Pinos Mataro and Claudia Olazábal, who shared valuable insights on Europe’s industrial strategy, resilience and competitiveness. Panel discussions brought together representatives from industry, EU institutions and civil society, encouraging an open exchange of ideas and practical perspectives on the challenges facing the sector.
.gif?upscale=true&width=1120&upscale=true&name=Metals%20Monthly%20Newsletter%202026%20(3).gif)
