ALUMINIUM 2026 enters final countdown as competitiveness, supply and decarbonisation shape industry priorities
© ALUMINIUM / Jannik Hammes
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With two months to go until ALUMINIUM 2026, the programme taking shape in Düsseldorf reflects an industry facing pressure on several fronts. More than 800 exhibitors and partners and over 21,000 trade visitors are expected from 6 - 8 October, as questions around European competitiveness, raw material security, carbon regulation and future demand move higher up the industry agenda.
The aluminium sector enters the final months of 2026 against a complex backdrop. Energy and raw material security remain critical concerns, European manufacturers face growing international competition, and regulation is changing the economics of production and trade. At the same time, demand linked to electrification, the energy transition and digital infrastructure is reinforcing aluminium’s strategic importance.
These issues will form a significant part of ALUMINIUM 2026, where six exhibition halls and two conference stages bring together the aluminium value chain alongside policymakers, industry associations and major user industries.
“The context for this year’s event has become very clear,” says Patrick Herman, Event Director of ALUMINIUM at RX. “Competitiveness, energy, secure supply and decarbonisation can no longer be treated as separate questions. They increasingly determine where companies invest, how they source, which technologies they adopt and where future growth will come from. ALUMINIUM brings the different parts of that business-critical discussion together in one place.”
Across halls 1, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7a at Messe Düsseldorf, more than 800 exhibitors and partners will present products and solutions spanning primary aluminium, semi-finished and value-added products, machinery and processing technology, surface treatment, software and recycling.
European capacity and competitiveness in focus
The conference programme provides a further indication of the issues currently occupying the sector.
Organised with official event partner Aluminium Deutschland, the ALUMINIUM Conference in Hall 7a covers markets, trade and industrial policy, supply-chain resilience and developments in major aluminium user industries including automotive, aerospace, defence, packaging and construction.
Mona Neubaur, Deputy Minister President and Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Action of North Rhine-Westphalia, will deliver the opening keynote on aluminium’s role in Europe’s industrial and energy agenda.
European production and security of supply will be among the issues under discussion. Maxime Vandersmissen, Chief Commercial Officer of Arctial, will present plans for a 0.6-million-tonne primary aluminium smelter in Finland, powered by fossil-free electricity. The project would represent Europe’s first new primary aluminium smelter in more than three decades and comes at a time when more than 60% of European primary aluminium demand is met from outside the EU.
The pressure facing downstream industries will also be examined. Senior representatives from Novelis and Constellium will discuss whether Europe’s automotive industry can maintain its competitive edge amid tighter environmental requirements and growing international competition. Further sessions examine changing requirements in packaging and construction.
From carbon regulation to changing demand
On a separate stage in Hall 6, the new Sustainability & Recycling Conference, hosted in collaboration with CRU, examines how decarbonisation ambitions are translating into market and operational realities.
Carbon regulation is a central theme, with sessions assessing the implementation and current status of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and the future direction of carbon prices.
The programme also moves beyond targets to some of the technical questions involved in creating a more circular aluminium economy, including recycled content and alloy design for recycling. A dedicated session on aluminium as a strategic raw material will examine transparency across the value chain and how industries can become more resilient.
Changing demand provides another focus. “Aluminium Demand – From Energy Transition to AI” will examine how investment in renewable-energy infrastructure and the rapid growth of artificial intelligence could reshape aluminium demand patterns and supply chains.
“Much of the discussion around aluminium now comes back to the same challenge: how to remain competitive while transforming the way the industry produces, sources and uses material,” Herman adds. “The value of bringing the sector together is that those discussions can take place across the full value chain – between producers and customers, technology providers and manufacturers, and industry and policymakers.”
Innovation moves from ambition to application
That focus on practical progress extends onto the exhibition floor. The Sustainability & Recycling Area across halls 5 and 6 brings together technologies and solutions focused on circular economy, recycling and lower-carbon production.
Innovation will also be recognised through two industry award programmes. The inaugural ALUMINIUM Innovation Awards, created with International Aluminium Journal, cover Sustainable & Low-Carbon Manufacturing, Technology & Product Innovation, and Smart Manufacturing, Automation & Connectivity. Public voting opens in September, with winners announced in Düsseldorf on 7 October.
The Women with Metal Awards return following their 2024 premiere, recognising women making an impact across the metals sector as well as individuals and organisations championing greater inclusion. Winners will be celebrated on 6 October.
Opening times and tickets
ALUMINIUM 2026 takes place from 6 - 8 October 2026 at Messe Düsseldorf, Germany, and is open daily from 9:00 to 18:00.
Three-day advance tickets cost €52, compared with €105 on site, and include access to all three show days, conference sessions and award sessions.
Issued by:
ALUMINIUM Press Office, RX
Email: service.aluminium@rxglobal.com
NOTES TO EDITORS:
About ALUMINIUM
ALUMINIUM is the world’s leading event for the aluminium sector. Every two years, it brings together industry leaders in Düsseldorf, Germany, for a dedicated exhibition and conference, driving meaningful conversations, innovation and business ventures. Taking place 6–8 October 2026, this year’s edition focuses on sustainability, circular economy, and technological transformation. ALUMINIUM is the flagship of a global RX series for the aluminium industry, including ALUMINIUM USA in Louisville, ALUMINIUM China in Shanghai, and the new ALUMINIUM Arabia in Riyadh. www.aluminium-exhibition.com
About RX
RX is a global leader in events and exhibitions, leveraging industry expertise, data, and technology to build businesses for individuals, communities, and organisations. With a presence in 25 countries across 41 industry sectors, RX hosts approximately 350 events annually. RX is committed to creating an inclusive work environment for all our people. RX empowers businesses to thrive by leveraging data-driven insights and digital solutions. RX is part of RELX, a global provider of information-based analytics and decision tools for professional and business customers. For more information, visit www.rxglobal.com.