Raffmetal: a virtuous example of environmental sustainability and circularity

Raffmetal, leading European company in the production of aluminum alloys from recycling, is taking center stage at Ecomondo, the key trade fair in Europe for ecological transition and the circular economy, which is being held in Rimini until Friday, November 8. On this occasion, the company has played a prominent role as an example of sustainable excellence, presenting itself as a virtuous model during the States General of the Green Economy, an event that saw the participation of institutions and representatives from the business world.

The regional Environment and Climate Councillor, Giorgio Maione, emphasized the importance of Lombardy as the epicenter of the European economy, highlighting the fundamental contribution of the Brescia area. “In the last twenty years, we have reduced atmospheric emissions by 40%, also thanks to the commitment of industries investing in sustainability,” said Maione. “At Ecomondo, we wanted to highlight the case of Raffmetal, a virtuous example of Brescia’s pragmatism in environmental sustainability,” he added.

Raffmetal stands out for its ongoing commitment to reducing emissions and improving air quality: Michele Bortolami, Director of Health, Safety & Environment (HSE) and CEO, explained the company’s business model during his speech alongside Councillor Maione, demonstrating how the aluminum recycling industry can be both competitive and eco-sustainable.

Engineer Bortolami explained how Raffmetal’s production cycle is based on principles of material, process, and energy circularity, with the goal of minimizing environmental impact and conserving natural resources. Thanks to the adoption of advanced techniques, the company has made significant progress in reducing CO₂ emissions. Since 1996, Raffmetal has been voluntarily monitoring air quality, and since 2000 it has been collaborating with the University of Milan-Bicocca to study biodiversity in the areas surrounding its plants, aiming to preserve local ecosystems.

A concrete example of Raffmetal’s commitment to sustainability is represented by its heat recovery plant, which has allowed the company to reduce methane consumption and avoid the emission of 18,000 tons of CO₂  per year, equivalent to the annual energy consumption of approximately 10,000 families. Furthermore, the company has recently completed the installation of a 10-megawatt photovoltaic system and a 1.5-megawatt turbine, aiming to increase the production and use of renewable energy.

Looking to the future, Engineer Michele Bortolami highlighted the challenges the aluminum industry will face in Europe, identifying three strategic priorities:

• Keeping scrap within EU borders to strengthen economic resilience and promote sustainable growth;
• A gradual energy transition, which must be accompanied by a technology-neutral approach to ensure the competitiveness of European industrial supply chains on a global scale;
• Investing in human resources, with the need to invest in the growth of professional skills to support innovation and continuous technological transformation.

“People are our greatest asset, and their development will be a determining factor for the future of the sector,” he concluded.

Raffmetal continues to demonstrate how an industry can not only be at the forefront of production but also actively engage in environmental protection and combat climate change, while maintaining high competitiveness. A concrete evidence that investing in sustainability is not a cost, but a great opportunity.