From October 6 to 8, 2026, the Messe Düsseldorf exhibition center will host the 15th edition of ALUMINIUM. European competitiveness, energy security, and decarbonization will take center stage at an event featuring over 800 exhibitors and more than 21,000 trade visitors.
The countdown to ALUMINIUM 2026, the world’s leading trade fair dedicated to the entire aluminium value chain, is entering its crucial phase. Amidst a period of profound economic and geopolitical transformation, the event is set to bring together over 800 exhibitors, partners, industry associations, major industrial end-users, and policymakers at Messe Düsseldorf from October 6 to 8.
The sector arrives at the Düsseldorf event facing a complex and challenging landscape. Energy security and raw material supplies remain critical issues, compounded by growing international competition that is putting European production to the test.
At the same time, surging demand driven by electrification, digital infrastructure, artificial intelligence, and the energy transition confirms aluminium’s strategic role as a material of the future.
“Competitiveness, energy, security of supply, and decarbonization can no longer be treated as separate issues. They determine where companies invest, how they source materials, and where future growth will come from,” has stated Patrick Herman, Aluminium Director at RX.
Across the six dedicated halls (1, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7a), the offerings will range from primary aluminium to semi-finished products, covering machinery, processing technologies, surface treatment, software, and recycling. A rich conference program will address the major challenges of the day:
- Industrial policy and markets: The official opening will be led by Mona Neubaur, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economic Affairs for North Rhine-Westphalia. A highlight among the projects under discussion is Arctial’s presentation of a new, clean-energy-powered foundry in Finland with a capacity of 0.6 million tonnes—a landmark initiative for Europe, which currently imports over 60% of its primary aluminium.
- Sustainability and the Circular Economy: In Hall 6, a dedicated conference held in partnership with CRU will analyze the operational impact of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), future carbon pricing, and new frontiers in alloy design focused on recyclability.
- Future demand: Specific sessions will explore the impact of global megatrends, ranging from renewable energy to the expansion of data centers for artificial intelligence.
There will also be a focus on excellence and technological innovation. New to this edition are the ALUMINIUM Innovation Awards (in partnership with the International Aluminium Journal). Winners will be announced on October 7 in the categories of sustainable production, product innovation, and smart manufacturing. The Women with Metal Awards (October 6), established to celebrate female leadership and inclusion in the metals sector, will also return.