Emirates Global Aluminium to Buy Majority Stake in Italy’s Eco Green

Emirates Global Aluminium has confirmed plans for a proposed investment in an Italy-based aluminum recycling firm. The transaction remains subject to regulatory approvals and represents another step in the company’s effort to expand its international footprint while strengthening its recycling capabilities.

Building a Presence in Europe’s Recycling Ecosystem

Eco Green, headquartered in northern Italy, specializes in aluminum scrap collection, sorting, casting, and dross processing. The company handles more than 70,000 tons of material annually across its operations.

Its Villafranca di Verona facility collects and processes around 23,000 tons of aluminum scrap each year. Part of that material is directed to a nearby plant in Nogara di Verona, where more than 20,000 tons of secondary aluminum is produced annually, alongside dross processing.

EGA gains more than production capacity through the acquisition, adding an established network of suppliers and customers across Europe, where proximity to both scrap sources and end users is becoming increasingly important in how aluminum is sourced and distributed.

Eco Green is currently progressing an expansion project at its Nogara facility that will add approximately 15,000 tons per year of additional recycled aluminum capacity. The project is expected to be completed in the second half of 2026.

Once finalized, the deal is expected to contribute to EGA’s broader ambition of growing its global recycling platform alongside its primary aluminum operations.

Luca Scappini, Chief Executive Officer of Eco Green, noted: “Becoming part of the world’s largest producer of ‘premium aluminium’ will unlock Eco Green’s growth potential, enabling us to further enhance our plants and expand our scrap supply and customer networks across Europe. EGA is already a major primary aluminium supplier to Europe, and we look forward to contributing to a significant and fast-growing EGA recycling business across the continent.”

Strategic Shift Toward Recycling

The development reflects a wider shift within the aluminum sector, where recycling is becoming a more prominent part of long-term growth strategies.

Recycled aluminum requires significantly less energy to produce compared to primary metal, and companies across the industry are increasingly integrating recycling into their operations as they respond to changing customer expectations and evolving regulatory environments.

Rather than relying solely on traditional production, producers are placing greater emphasis on securing access to scrap material and processing capabilities closer to key markets.

Europe remains one of the world’s most established aluminum markets, supported by demand from industries such as automotive, construction, and manufacturing.

Within this environment, recycling already plays a meaningful role in supplying material, and its importance is expected to continue growing as manufacturers look for efficient and reliable sources of aluminum.

By investing directly in recycling operations within the region, companies like EGA are positioning themselves to operate more closely within these supply chains, rather than serving them solely through exports.

Strengthening a Global Platform

EGA’s planned investment in Eco Green aligns with its broader strategy of building a geographically diversified recycling business.

The company has been expanding its presence in recycling through international investments, aiming to complement its primary aluminum production with a more integrated, circular approach to material supply.

This approach allows EGA to participate across different stages of the aluminum lifecycle, from production to reuse, while also improving flexibility in how it serves customers across multiple regions.

Abdulnasser Bin Kalban, Chief Executive Officer of Emirates Global Aluminium, stated: “At EGA, we are making rapid progress in building a global aluminium recycling business alongside expanding our primary aluminium production. Post closing, Eco Green will bring EGA reach and expertise in the European aluminium scrap market, making this a significant step forward in supplying the recycling operations we are building across the continent to contribute to Europe’s green future. Eco Green will also add recycled aluminium production in northeast Italy, which we can further develop as part of EGA.”

The acquisition also reflects a broader industry trend toward more localized supply chains. As global trade patterns evolve, manufacturers are placing greater value on sourcing materials closer to where they are used. Recycling facilities, which rely on regional scrap collection, naturally support this shift by reducing reliance on long-distance transportation and creating more responsive supply networks.