The European Aluminium Association (EAA) today welcomes the European Commission’s proposedEnergy EfficiencyDirective which recognises the critical importanceof financial support inaccelerating the refurbishment and construction of energy efficient buildings.

“There are potentially massive energy savings to be gained from buildings, and as a key building technology aluminium can more than play its part” saidPatrick de Schrynmakers, EAA’s Secretary General.

The EAA emphasises that upfront investment costs represent a high barrier to the refurbishment and to the uptake of energy efficient technologies in new buildings and is pleased to see this reflected in the Commission’s proposal.

“Energy efficient building products and materials are usually more expensive in the short term, and therefore we need adequate incentives to ensure their market uptake,” continued Mr de Schrynmakers. “In this respect the proposalrecognises the critical role of the Member States in making such support available and acknowledges that short term costs lead ultimately to long-term gains.”

Examples of how aluminium can improve energy efficiency include intelligent façades incorporating aluminium systems which can decrease energy consumption in buildings by up to 50%.

For more information on the role of aluminium in energy efficient buildings, please refer to the EAA brochure“Sustainability of Aluminium in Buildings”, available at www.alubuild.eu

About European Aluminium Association:

The European Aluminium Association, founded in 1981, represents the European aluminium industry from alumina and primary production to semi-finished and end-use products, through to recycling. The European aluminium industry directly employs about 236,000 people.

Contact:

EAA Press Office c/o Grayling

Avenue des Arts 46

1000 Brussels Belgium

Tel +32 (0)2 738 17 82

Email press@eaa.be