EUROPEAN ALUMINIUM CONGRESS 2009 in Düsseldorf

The ‘Aluminium Automotive Applications – Material for Lightweight Construction and Design’ congress organised by GDA – Gesamtverband der Aluminiumindustrie e.V. in Düsseldorf on 23-24 November 2009 was a total success. The congress was very well attended, with some 220 participants. The six sessions covering lightweighting, joining, body structures, body closures, powertrain and components/semis were received with great interest.











Following the presentations there were lively discussions among the participants on the future development of lightweight construction.

In keynote addresses, Audi gave an insight into 15 years of the aluminium space frame car body and its future and Jaguar dealt with the question of why the automotive industry needs lightweight, cost-effective, sustainable materials. Both presentations were clear commitments to the light metal and met with widespread approval from those present.









An exhibition accompanied the congress; interesting solutions in the fields of lightweight automotive construction and joining technology were presented and were the source of technical discussions between exhibitors and visitors.