ASIME and AEA urge reform of the CBAM in light of the growing vulnerability of Spanish aluminum

 

 

 

A Critical Scenario for the Galician Metal Sector

In a joint appearance, the Spanish Aluminum Association (AEA), which represents more than 650 companies, and the Association of Metal Industries and Associated Technologies of Galicia (ASIME) painted a complex picture. The Galician region, where the metal sector represents a 19% of GDP and employs more than 60.000 workers, is especially exposed to the price volatility, trade wars and new regulations.

 

Business representatives —including Cruz Casal (Cortizo), Marina Magán (Exlabesa) and Francisco Quintá (Grupo Quintá/Extrugasa) — agreed that dependence on an increasingly limited supply of aluminum puts essential industries such as automotive, construction, naval-maritime and renewable energies at risk.

 

The CBAM: Necessary, But with Coverage Deficiencies

 

The Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), whose full implementation is planned for 2026, was one of the main focuses of criticism. While acknowledging its necessity to protect European industry from imports with lower environmental standards, ASIME and AEA warn that its current design introduces distortions that harm importing and highly industrialized regions like Galicia.

 

Gonzalo de OlabarríaThe Secretary General of the AEA was categorical on this point: “We need an effective and fair CBAM that truly protects European industry. As it is currently designed, Excludes processed aluminum products such as extrusions and profiles, It does not take into account indirect emissions and lacks a robust recycling traceability system.” De Olabarría warned that this omission “puts at risk the competitiveness from many Galician companies that have invested for years in clean technology and efficient processes.”

 

For its part, Enrique MallonThe Secretary General of ASIME highlighted that the CBAM has become “an added factor that aggravates an already very complicated situation”emphasizing that any increase in costs directly impacts hundreds of manufacturing companies of the metal.

 

The Four Keys to Industrial Vulnerability

 

The participants emphasized that the European uncertainty And market changes are severely impacting the sector. Among the main concerns are:

 

La fall in industrial demand, especially noticeable in segments such as the automotive and construction.

 

tensions in the supply of raw materials, with duty y restricciones that affect both aluminum and steel.

 

El increased international competitive pressurewith countries like China and Türkiye producing at much lower costs or with less stringent environmental requirements.

 

La offshoring of scrap metal recyclingThis is exacerbated by strong demand from the Chinese and American markets, limiting the raw materials available to European foundries.

 

Enrique Mallon He emphasized the problem of scrap metal: “Global demand for recycled aluminum is overwhelming. If The massive outflow of European scrap metal is not being controlled "By going to third-party markets, we will no longer have raw materials for our foundries."

 

Call for Stability and Political Support

 

Galician industry reaffirms itself as leading in technology and export, but it demands regulatory stability“We cannot compete with products that reach the European market with much lower environmental standards,” the representatives stated.

 

Gonzalo de Olabarría She concluded her final remarks by emphasizing the resilience of Galicia as an industrial powerhouse. However, he warned: “We cannot take that strength for granted if No urgent measures are being takenGalicia is a European leader in aluminum processing. But we need a fair regulatory framework that doesn't penalize those who do things right.

 

In summary, Galician associations and companies agree that the sector It has a futurebut only if a real support and a European industrial policy that is up to the challenges of today.