We read it everywhere…
By the end of 2025, the aluminium industry finds itself at a crucial turning point. Prices have risen to a three-year high of 2,892.55 USD per tonne (LME, 31 October 2025). This surge is driven by China’s decision to maximise production and by growing demand from sectors such as electric vehicles and the energy transition. Meanwhile, alarm bells are ringing in Europe: high energy costs, weak demand and new policy measures such as the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) are putting companies under pressure. Analysts further warn that the era of surpluses is over, inventories are at historic lows, and prices will need to remain structurally high to prevent shortages.
Opportunities for smart engineering arise
The challenges are therefore considerable: rising costs, geopolitical pressures and uncertainty about the future of the industry. Yet it is precisely under these circumstances that opportunities for smart engineering arise. For when we look beyond the price per kilogram of aluminium, we see that gains can also be achieved in profile design. By critically examining shape, alloy and application, significant savings can often be realised without compromising on quality, strength or sustainability.
