Market Stabilises After Weak Start European aluminium foil demand stabilised in the second quarter of 2026 after a subdued opening to the year. Total deliveries by European Aluminium Foil Association (EAFA) member companies amounted to around 238,000 tonnes between April and June, up 0.6% compared with the same period last year—a marked improvement from the challenging first quarter. Both European deliveries and exports remained broadly stable. European deliveries edged up by 0.8% year-on-year, while exports outside Europe were virtually unchanged at -0.6%. June proved particularly encouraging, marking the first clearly positive monthly result of 2026.
Thicker Gauge Drives Export Growth Performance diverged sharply across foil gauges.
Deliveries of thinner foil below 60 micrometers—used primarily for flexible packaging and household applications—remained slightly down overall. By contrast, deliveries of thicker foil between 61 and 200 micrometers increased by more than 8% in the second quarter. Export markets showed even more pronounced divergence: thinner foil declined 19.0%, while thicker gauges grew 40%, largely compensating for weaker export demand for thinner foil.
Technical Applications Lead End-User Strength Technical applications, particularly in automotive and building sectors, recorded strong growth of almost 7% in the second quarter. Packaging applications remained broadly stable, though household foil demand continued to decline. Signs of easing pressure emerged in product categories such as coffee and chocolate, which had recently been affected by elevated price levels. However, consumer spending sustainability remains uncertain given ongoing economic uncertainties and geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.
First-Half Performance and Outlook Total aluminium foil deliveries for the first half of 2026 reached approximately 463,000 tonnes, still 3.0% below the same period last year. The second quarter improvement, particularly June's performance, noticeably reduced the shortfall accumulated during the opening months. "Following the difficult start to the year, we are seeing an encouraging stabilisation in the second quarter, with significantly more positive signals emerging towards the end of the period," says Göksal Güngör, Chair of the EAFA Roller Group. "The development in June gives us grounds for cautious optimism for the second half of the year. However, given the continuing economic and geopolitical uncertainty, we do not expect a sharp recovery, but rather a gradual strengthening of demand."
Why It Matters
For foodservice and packaging operators, the rebound in thicker-gauge foil and stability in packaging applications suggests steady supply conditions ahead, though consumer price sensitivity and macroeconomic headwinds warrant cautious planning for H2 2026.
For more insights and trends in the food and beverage sector, check out more articles in The Food & Beverage Magazine family of publications.
Written by FBM Publications Editors
