European Metals Annual Conference 2026

Building on the success of the 2025 inaugural edition, we hosted the second edition of our Annual Conference ‘European Metals: Are We Forging a Future in Europe?’.

As Europe navigates a rapidly evolving industrial and geopolitical landscape, the role of metals has never been more critical. From enabling the green transition to strengthening economic resilience, our sector sits at the heart of Europe’s transformation.

But are we forging a future in Europe for European non-ferrous metals? On 24 June, we brought this question to life.

Through insightful exchanges, expert perspectives and ‘beyond-Q&A’ sessions, the conference provided a unique platform to connect, reflect, and help shape the future of Europe’s industrial strategy.

#EMAnnualConference26

13:15 (45')

Registration & Welcome Coffee

14:00 (20')

Opening speeches

Setting the political scene: from ambition to delivery
• Paulina Dejmek Hack, Head of Cabinet of Jessika Roswall, Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy, European Commission
• Radan Kanev, Member of ENVI Committee, EPP, European Parliament

14:20 (20')

Fireside chat: a conversation with Evangelos Mytilineos

The President of European Metals and Executive Chairman of Metlen Group will share his perspective on how recent EU initiatives are impacting the non-ferrous metals sector

14:40 (50')

Panel 1 | Competitiveness in Europe: How far have we come in the past year? And where do we want to be?

One year on from the launch of the Steel and Metals Action Plan, Affordable Energy Action Plan, and Clean Industrial Deal State Aid Framework and following the release of the ResourceEU Action Plan and Industrial Accelerator Act , this session will reflect on what has been delivered so far. The discussion will assess whether current EU instruments are effectively addressing structural challenges, and what gaps remain as Europe moves into the implementation phase.

• Kerstin Jorna, Director-General, Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs (DG GROW), European Commission
• Guido Janssen, CEO, Nyrstar
• Judith Kirton-Darling, Secretary General, industriAll Europe
• Nikolaos Farantouris, ENVI Committee, S&D, European Parliament

Q&A

15:30 (10')

Fireside chat: A Vision for the European Metals Industry

Sasha Twining in conversation with Vincenzo Conforti, Head of Government Relations Europe, Glencore

15:40 (30')

Coffee break

MoU signing ceremony between European Metals and Armenian Mining and Metallurgy Association (AMMA)

16:10 (10')

Presentation | The Circular Economy Act: A Turning Point for Europe

Laia Pinos Mataro, Cabinet member, Executive Vice-President Stéphane Séjourné, European Commission

16:20 (50')

Panel 2 | Are European Sustainability initiatives going to deliver a European metals renaissance?

With the Circular Economy Act on the horizon, this panel will explore whether EU policy can unlock circularity at scale for non-ferrous metals. The discussion will focus on measures that can boost sustainability in the European metals sector , while meeting environmental protection goals. We will also assess the role of trade policy in supporting recycling across Europe.

• Panos Tserolas, Sustainability Senior Manager, Aluminium division, ElvalHalcor
• Julia Ettinger, Secretary General, Recycling Europe
• Wolfgang Vittorio D'Innocenzo, Chair of Antici Group on Simplification, Cypriot Presidency of the Council of the EU
• Florie Gonsolin, Programme Lead EU Industry Transformation, Agora Industry
• Paul Voss, Director General, European Aluminium

Q&A