VoA leads ESTAL Congress 2025 shaping aluminium surface finishing’s sustainable future
The Verband für die Oberflächenveredelung von Aluminium e. V. (VOA), the largest member of the European Association for Surface Treatment on Aluminium (ESTAL), is playing a central role in organising the forthcoming ESTAL Congress, scheduled from 1 to 3 October 2025 in Thessaloniki, Greece. This biennial event is recognised as a major fixture for professionals in the aluminium surface finishing industry across Europe, providing a vital forum for discussion on current challenges and innovations shaping the sector. The theme for the 2025 congress, “Treatment of aluminium - innovations, trends, practices in a changing world,” emphasises the dynamic evolution of the industry and the need for a coordinated approach to future opportunities.
Expected to attract over 150 participants, the congress will convene experts not only from the surface finishing industry itself but also from its extensive network supporting global supply chains. This gathering aims to generate momentum towards a sustainable, connected, and prosperous future for the aluminium industry, reflecting a strategic response to ongoing global shifts and regulatory frameworks.
A key focus of the congress will be the impact of recent European Union policies on the sector. Delegates are set to explore pressing themes such as European competitiveness in the global marketplace, addressed within the context of evolving trade dynamics. Sustainability will take centre stage, with sessions dedicated to EU legislation on industrial emissions, decarbonisation pathways, and the use of sustainable chemicals. This will include discussions on reducing water and energy consumption and curbing greenhouse gas and other pollutants from surface treatment processes—topics that resonate deeply with industry efforts to align with the EU’s Green Deal objectives.
The programme also promises to address forward-looking technologies, notably the integration of artificial intelligence in aluminium surface treatment. This reflects an increasing trend within the industry towards digitalisation and innovation to enhance process efficiency, product quality, and environmental performance. Innovations in products, processes, and testing methodologies will be explored thoroughly, equipping participants with insights needed to navigate the rapidly evolving technical landscape.
In the lead-up to the congress, ESTAL has issued a call for papers, inviting industry professionals and researchers to submit abstracts by 16 May 2025. This call welcomes contributions on the key thematic areas, offering a platform for knowledge exchange and collaborative advancement. The emphasis on gathering fresh research and case studies underscores the congress’s role as not only an event for networking but also a catalyst for driving scientific and technological progress within the aluminium surface finishing community.
VOA’s active involvement in shaping this event further solidifies its position as a leader in representing and advancing surface treatment technologies for aluminium. The association’s commitment to fostering sustainable practices and responding proactively to regulatory developments aligns closely with the congress's objectives, ensuring that participants can expect a highly relevant and impactful programme.
For those interested, more details about the ESTAL Congress and registration opportunities will be made available on VOA’s website and social media channels, including Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn, as the event draws nearer. This accessibility supports broad engagement from stakeholders across the industry spectrum.
As the aluminium surface finishing sector continues to evolve under regulatory, environmental, and technological pressures, the ESTAL Congress 2025 represents a critical opportunity for industry leaders and experts to come together, share knowledge, and strategise for a sustainable and competitive future in Europe and beyond.