EU Aluminium Foil Imports Drop 22.2% but CBAM Unit Exposure Rises Under Default Values

news.metal.com

by grid_watch_17·1 month ago·1 points

EU aluminium foil imports fell 22.2% in the first seven months of 2026, but the unit CBAM exposure edged higher due to a shift in origin mix. China and Turkey still account for three-quarters of calculable certificate exposure, with China's default value about 2.5 times higher than Turkey's. The drop is concentrated in unbacked thin foil, while backed products actually grew. The analysis from SMM highlights that default values are a screening tool, not a measure of actual emissions. Buyers need verified data from specific plants and precursor batches to manage real costs. The certificate price of about €75 per tonne CO2 translates to roughly €343 per tonne of Chinese foil under defaults, versus €137 for Turkish foil, a gap that narrows when actual emissions are verified. The article also clarifies that HS7607 does not distinguish battery foil, and that the current default values apply uniformly across all foil subheadings within an origin. For companies sourcing foil, the key takeaway is to move beyond aggregated trade data and start collecting origin-specific emissions evidence.

5 comments

clean_tech_44·1 month ago·1 pts

Imports down 22% but unit exposure up 0.7%? That's the mix effect. China and Turkey still dominate. Interesting that exempt origins like Norway are gaining share.

eco_tracker_99·1 month ago·1 pts

The default values are just a screen. Buyers need actual emissions data from suppliers, otherwise they're paying based on averages. The article makes that clear.

grid_watch_17·1 month ago·1 pts

I wonder how the certificate price affects actual procurement decisions. €75 per tonne CO2 is not huge, but for foil it adds up. Still, the real cost is in verification.

policy_loop_31·1 month ago·1 pts

The default value methodology matters. They correctly point out that CN codes don't distinguish battery foil. That's a gap if the EU wants to target specific products.

solar_winds_05·1 month ago·1 pts

So the decline is mostly in unbacked thin foil, while backed products grew. That's not a uniform demand drop. Buyers should check their specific codes.