In the coming years, the aluminium sector will hear a key acronym more and more often: CBAM. This mechanism will change aluminium imports in Europe, marking a turning point in how such imports and their environmental impact are regulated in the European Union.
Behind the CBAM lies a profound shift in European strategy to decarbonise industry and ensure fairer competition in the internal market.
What is CBAM and why does it affect aluminium?
El CBAM is a tool created by the European Union to prevent carbon leakage. This phenomenon occurs when industrial production moves outside the EU to countries with less stringent environmental standards, and the products are then imported back into Europe at a lower cost.
With the CBAM, the EU seeks to ensure that the price of imported products also reflects the cost of carbon emissions generated during their manufacture, similar to what already happens with European producers through the European Emissions Trading System (EU ETS).
CBAM as a new carbon tax on imports
In practice, the CBAM introduces a carbon-related levy on certain imported products, including aluminium. Importers will be required to:
- Declare the CO₂ emissions incorporated into the products.
- Pay an economic adjustment equivalent to the price of carbon in the EU.
In this way, aluminium imports are beginning to bear a carbon cost comparable to that already borne by European manufacturers.
Impact of CBAM on the European aluminium market
For the aluminium sector, the CBAM represents a significant change. The origin of the material and its carbon footprint are now determining factors in competitiveness.
While European producers operate under strict environmental standards, in many third countries the requirements are less stringent. The CBAM seeks to level the playing field by reducing the incentive to produce in regions with more lax regulations and then export to Europe.
Implications for pricing, procurement, and supply chain
The application of the CBAM may have direct effects on:
- Prices of imported aluminium
- Purchasing decisions by manufacturers and processors
- Supply chain planning
At the same time, it reinforces the importance of recycled aluminium, energy efficiency and transparency in calculating the carbon footprint throughout the entire product life cycle.
En este nuevo contexto, medir, reportar y reducir emisiones dejará de ser una opción voluntaria para convertirse en un factor clave de competitividad en el mercado europeo del aluminio.
