Romanian aluminum producer Alro Slatina has reduced its carbon footprint below the European average, and the prospects are somewhat optimistic for it, especially in the context of the new European regulations targeting imports of goods made with intensive carbon consumption, according to company representatives.

One of the representatives of the aluminum producing company from Slatina, Florin Verboncu, general manager of Vimetco Trading, said that the tendency of customers is to move more towards European aluminum producers in the context where from 2026 the Border Adjustment Mechanism will become mandatory of carbon (CBAM).

“Demand is going well. The trend is that next year customers, who until now bought from exotic sources, Malaysia, India, the Middle East, will get even closer to European producers. Why? Once they are afraid of CBAM (Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism), a mechanism that will be mandatory for implementation from January 1, 2026 and taxes will be paid. We have already started discussions with the clients from the early stages of the project. Basically, it is a protectionist measure in the sense that it will limit everything European market of imports from cheap and polluting areas,” said the representative of the Romanian aluminum producer, quoted by Agerpres.

Verboncu pointed out that Alro has a lower carbon footprint compared to the European average and this can be further reduced by increasing the amount of processed waste.

“For example, we have an average carbon footprint below the European average. The European average is 7.3 carbon zones per ton of aluminum. Last year we put into operation a new waste recycling facility and increased from 35,000 tons to 100,000 tons (of processed aluminum waste – n.r.). And when you use waste, it practically comes with zero carbon footprint, the more waste you incorporate into the products you make, that is, from seven (tons of carbon per ton of aluminum – n.r.) you can take it to four tons (of carbon per ton of aluminum),” said Verboncu.

The Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), which will work through the purchase of certificates by importers, is the EU’s tool to put a fair price on the carbon emitted during the production of carbon-intensive goods entering the EU territory and for to encourage cleaner industrial production in countries outside the EU, according to the website of the Ministry of Finance.