Gesamtverband der Aluminiumindustrie e.V. (GDA), Düsseldorf, will have its own stand (Hall 3 / Stand J40) at the ALUMINIUM 2010 trade fair, where it will be providing information on the services it has to offer and giving advice on the use of aluminium in a company-neutral and product-independent manner. At the same time, the GDA stand will serve as a communications platform and meeting point for visitors and exhibitors. In addition, for the first time GDA is organising a congress that is being held in parallel to the trade fair. Under the motto ‘Aluminium – Material for the Future’, there will be five different applications-relation sessions on the three days of the fair: Processes, Transport, Automotive, Surface and Aluminium Markets.

The ALUMINIUM trade fair is being held for the eighth time this year (14-16 September in Essen) and is the highlight of the year for companies involved in the German aluminium industry. GDA has been associated with the ALUMINIUM fair from the very beginning as co-initiator, source of ideas and provider of information in the form of knowledge and expertise. “ALUMINIUM is the leading trade fair for the sector and since the first event 13 years ago it has developed into the largest platform for our sector worldwide,” says GDA Executive Director Christian Wellner. “Above all, it also offers the German aluminium industry the opportunity to demonstrate to its customers its innovative capabilities and competitiveness.” The whole of the value chain associated with the light metal now exhibits at the ALUMINIUM trade fair, from the production of the metal via semis manufacturing through to end uses in the automotive, building, mechanical engineering or electronics and electrical industries and including suppliers to the sector and plant and equipment manufacturers.

“ALUMINIUM 2010 is taking place against the background of an improved economic climate.” explains Christian Wellner. The economic and financial crisis has hit hard nearly all companies involved in the production and processing of aluminium. Smelters, extruders or rollers reported marked falls in production. However, according to Mr Wellner, the order situation in the German aluminium industry has improved continuously since September last year and a mood of confidence is slowly returning to companies in the sector.

The German aluminium companies continue to be optimistic that they will maintain the good level in the second half of 2010. Domestic demand has stabilised and demand from abroad has developed strongly. The improved economic situation in the aluminium sector is being sustained by the economic recovery in vehicle manufacturing and mechanical engineering. The booming solar industry has also helped the sector improve its capacity utilisation.

Gesamtverband der Aluminiumindustrie e.V. (GDA) with headquarters in Düsseldorf, Germany, was founded in 1992 in Dresden. It is an association of aluminium companies that produce aluminium or aluminium products, also in combination with other materials. As the trade association for the sector, it represents the interests of an efficient and highly capable aluminium industry. GDA has 109 member companies. Based on production volume, it represented 96% of the German aluminium industry in 2008.