Markets, sectors, increased demand for recycled aluminum, more technological plants and new alloys: 5 trends that will mark the metal industry in 2025.
Markets
The current socio-economic instability will undoubtedly have an impact on a sector as globalized as ours. In addition to the various armed conflicts, the trade race between the United States and China and, in Europe, the stagnation of an economic engine such as Germany are possible drivers of change at the international level. However, this situation could also lead to the opening of new markets and opportunities.
Sectors
According to experts, the demand for aluminum, mainly recycled, will continue to grow in the construction industry. Second most used metal in the sector, apart from its traditional use in floating roofs, windows, doors, stairs or wall panels, other applications are beginning to be investigated.
Due to its unique characteristics, aluminum is also used in the renewable energy sector (solar panels, wind turbines, etc.), a growth industry that should be significant for our companies by 2025.
In addition, less common industries such as shipbuilding, railroads and defense are also expected to start generating business opportunities.
Increased demand for recycled aluminum
The International Aluminium Institute forecasts a 40% increase in global demand for aluminum by 2030, representing an additional 33 million tons per year. Recycling, which consumes only 5% of the energy needed to produce primary aluminum, will be key to meeting this demand in a sustainable manner.
The coming years will therefore be marked by the construction of new recycling infrastructures and the conversion of plants dedicated to primary production. More generally, we will see the rise of Green Aluminum Production, with the industry betting on more efficient facilities with solutions and equipment designed to reduce CO2 emissions and thus limit the carbon footprint.
More technological plants
Between 2016 and 2023, the average global robot density (number of units per 10,000 employees) increased from 74 to 162, according to the International Federation of Robotics (IFR). This trend can be observed in the foundry sector with, for example, the implementation of robotization solutions to develop difficult and/or dangerous operations such as melting tower skimming.
Digitalization, for its part, is increasingly present in our sector thanks to its scalability and adaptability to all types of companies, regardless of their size.
Together, these two technologies are emerging as key trends for optimizing production and minimizing environmental impact. As for the use of AI, it is gradually advancing in different applications, such as the internal cameras of furnaces.
New alloys and materials
In recent years, we have witnessed the development of new materials. Work has been carried out, for example, on alloys that combine the characteristics of different metals (durability, strength and malleability), opening multiple possibilities in terms of industrial applications.
Further progress is expected in 2025 in the development of lightweight alloys (aluminum, titanium, magnesium), mainly for the aerospace and automotive industries. However, research is also opening to other sectors such as healthcare: for example, a shape-memory corneal implant made of nitinol, a nickel-titanium alloy already used in stents, dental wires, orthopedic screws and other surgical supplies, is being tested.
Sources
https://www.lavanguardia.com/andro4all/tecnologia/las-aleaciones-de-nueva-generacion-cambian-lo-que-sabiamos-sobre-los-metales-sera-una-revolucion-silenciosa
https://magmatranslation.com/stats/es/perspectivas-mercado-aluminio-2025
https://www.metalesymaquinas.com/texto-diario/mostrar/5092808/densidad-mundial-robots-fabricas-duplica-siete-anos
https://www.fundigex.es/files/2025/01/02412_-Fundipress_FUNDI_145_68_paginas-24-25.pdf
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/5-tendencias-de-la-industria-metal%C3%BArgica-ydece/
https://www.bbc.com/mundo/articles/ckg9v74kvr2o