Alvance British Aluminium was pleased to welcome members of the Make UK Aluminium Special Interest Group to our Lochaber operations for its latest quarterly meeting, bringing together representatives from across the UK aluminium value chain to discuss the opportunities and challenges shaping the sector.

(L-R) Andy Wheatley, Lucy Adamsm Adrian Musgrave, Daniel Paterson, James Tangney, Lucy Adams, Alexandra Williams & James Rosie

The meeting was chaired by our Business Development Manager, James Tangney, who serves as Chair of the Make UK Aluminium Special Interest Group. Representatives from Bridgnorth Aluminium (Adrian Musgrove), Novelis (Alexandra Williams), Norsk Hydro (Andy Wheatly) and Make UK (Louise Young, Lucy Adams and Daniel Paterson) joined colleagues for a constructive and forward-looking discussion covering market dynamics, international trade, energy policy, competitiveness and the geopolitical factors increasingly influencing industrial production and investment decisions.

The discussions took place against a backdrop of continued global uncertainty. As a globally traded commodity, aluminium markets are heavily influenced by international events, from evolving trade policies and industrial strategies to geopolitical tensions and supply chain disruption. These factors reinforce the importance of maintaining a strong domestic manufacturing base capable of supporting the UK’s long-term economic and strategic interests.

The visit also provided an opportunity to showcase the unique nature of our Lochaber operations. Powered by our integrated hydroelectric scheme, and supported by an extensive network of tunnels, the site remains one of the world’s lowest-carbon primary aluminium production facilities. The combination of renewable energy generation and aluminium smelting on a single site continues to demonstrate how industrial production and sustainability can work hand in hand.

As the UK’s last remaining primary aluminium smelter, Lochaber occupies a strategically important position within the national manufacturing landscape. Primary aluminium is an essential material for sectors including defence, transport, infrastructure, construction and advanced manufacturing. Ensuring domestic production capability is therefore not only an economic consideration but also a matter of national capability.

The visit highlighted the value of bringing together manufacturers from across the sector to share perspectives, identify common challenges and strengthen engagement on the policy issues that will shape the future of UK industry. Collaboration between producers, processors, trade bodies and government will be critical if the UK is to maintain internationally competitive manufacturing while accelerating the transition to a low-carbon economy.

Manufacturing remains at the heart of communities across the country, creating skilled employment, driving investment and supporting regional prosperity. In Lochaber, this contribution extends well beyond our site boundary, supporting hundreds of jobs directly and indirectly while helping to sustain a vibrant industrial ecosystem in the Highlands.

We thank Make UK for facilitating another valuable forum for discussion and collaboration and extend our appreciation to all those who travelled to Lochaber to participate. By working together across industry, we can help ensure that aluminium continues to play a central role in delivering a more competitive and sustainable future for UK manufacturing.