METALS DAY 2026

European Parliament, Brussels Sep 29, 2026 8:00 am (CET) CONFERENCE METALS DAY 2026 On 29 September 2026 , European Metals will bring together representatives from across its membership, European institutions, civil society and the media for the 2026 edition of the Metals Day, hosted for the first time at the European Parliament offices in Brussels . Throughout the day, three panel discussions organised around breakfast, lunch and dinner will focus on key EU policy priorities and the challenges facing Europe’s metals value chains. The event sessions will be hosted by MEPs Radan Kanev ,  Yannis Maniatis , Hildegard Bentele , and Bruno Tobback . Metals Day will provide members with a valuable opportunity to engage directly with European policymakers, exchange perspectives and contribute to the discussions shaping the future of Europe’s metals industry. Please note that Metals Day 2026 is an invitation-only eve nt, reserved exclusively for European Metals members and invited guests. Programme + 08:00 (30') Networking breakfast 08:30 (60') PANEL 1 (Breakfast) – Made in EU for EU MEP Yannis Maniatis , Vice-Chair of S&D, ITRE, Greece MEP Christophe Grudler , Renew Europe, ITRE Committee, France Marian Năstase , Chairman, ALRO Lisa Allen , Director of Regulatory Affairs, ILA Véronique Steukers , President, Nickel Institute 12:30 (60' ) PANEL 2 (Lunch) – Critical Energy policy for critical Raw Materials MEP Radan Kanev , EPP, ENVI, Bulgaria MEP Hildegard Bentele , EPP, ITRE, Germany Anna-Maria Karjalainen , Head of EU Regulatory Affairs and Deputy Director General, International Copper Association Europe Paul Voss , Director General, European Aluminium Hanne Simensen , Executive Vice President for Aluminium Metal, Norsk Hydro Remigiusz Paszkiewicz , President and CEO, KGHM Polska Miedź S.A. 18:30 (60') Networking cocktail 19:30 (60') PANEL 3 (Dinner) – Sustainable Raw Materials in the Circular Economy Act MEP Bruno Tobback , S&D, ITRE, Belgium MEP Sarah Matthieu , Greens/EFA, ITRE, Belgium Representative, International Zinc Association Ruth Lambrechts , President, European Precious Metals Federation (EPMF) Roland Chavasse , Secretary General, International Lithium Association Ioannis Mytilineos , Senior Director of the Copper Metal Purchases Department, ElvalHalcor MEP Radan Kanev MEP for Bulgaria | Member of the EPP Group | Member of the ENVI Committee European Parliament Radan Kanev has been a Member of the European Parliament since 2019 and sits in the European People’s Party (EPP) group. On national level, he comes from Democrats for a Strong Bulgaria (DSB), a party he was amongst the founders of in 2004, and which he led from 2013 to 2017, being a Bulgarian MP from 2014 to 2017. He is an active member of the Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) as well as the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) where actively contributes to the green transition and industrial transformation legislation. He was the EP rapporteur on the Industrial Emissions Directive and currently works on the financing of the industrial transformation and defence in Europe with the aim of bringing efficiency into the EU funding rules so that funding benefits a competitive EU industry. Recently, MEP Kanev has been appointed EPP shadow on the Environmental Omnibus, with a special focus on speeding up of environmental assessments. By education, Mr Kanev is a lawyer, having practised the profession for over 20 years. MEP Yannis Maniatis MEP for Greece | Vice-Chair of the S&D Group Member of the ITRE Committee European Parliament Prof. Yannis Maniatis, Member of the European Parliament, Vice President of the Group of Socialists & Democrats (S&D), f. Minister of Environment, Energy and Climate Change Dr. Eng. Yannis Maniatis, Member of the European Parliament, Vice President of the Group of Socialists & Democrats (S&D) in Foreign Affairs, Defence, International Energy Security and Cooperation. He is Head of the Greek Delegation. He is an Honorary Doctor of the School of Rural, Surveying and Geoinformatics Engineering of the National Technical University of Athens. He is Professor at the University of Piraeus in the Department of Digital Systems. He is a Rural and Surveying Engineer from the National Technical University of Athens, Visiting Professor at the Institute of Economic Geography in the University of Bonn. Founder of the MSc “Climate Crisis and Information and Communication Technologies”. He was elected as a Member of the Greek Parliament during the 5 elections of the period 2004-2019. He was appointed: – Minister and Deputy Minister of Environment, Energy and Climate Change (2009-2015) – Secretary General of the Ministry of Transport and Communications (1998-2001) – Chairman of the 4 Boards of the Athens Urban Transport Organizations (2001-2003). His main academic fields include: Geographic Information Systems (G.I.S.) and Remote Sensing, Energy and Transportation Policies and Systems, Environmental Management and Climate Change, Natural Resources and Sustainable Development, EU Structural Policies and Land Uses, Innovation, Management and Digital Entrepreneurship, Systems and Policies of Smart Energy, Digital Agriculture, Smart Cities. MEP Hildegard Bentele MEP for Germany | Member of the EPP Group | Member of the ITRE Committee European Parliament Hildegard Bentele (DE, EPP) She is the Vice-Chair of the Committee on Development (DEVE). She is a member of the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE), and of the Delegation for relations with Israel (D-IL). She is a substitute member of the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI), and of the Delegation to the EU-Montenegro Stabilisation and Association Parliamentary Committee (D-ME).   MEP Bruno Tobback MEP for Belgium | S&D Group Member of the ITRE Committee European Parliament Bruno Tobback is a Belgian politician and member of the European Parliament for Vooruit. He is a member of the Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament. He began his career as a lawyer after obtaining a Master of Law and a Master of Social and Economic Law. His political career started as a provincial councilor. Since then, he has held important positions at both the Flemish and federal levels, such as parliamentary group leader in the Flemish Parliament, federal minister of Environment and Pensions and president of the social Democratic Party in Flanders (Vooruit). Currently, he is also a member of the city council of his hometown, Leuven. MEP Sarah Matthieu MEP for Belgium | Greens/EFA Group Member of the ITRE Committee European Parliament Sara Matthieu is a Belgian member of the European Parliament for Groen, the Flemish green party in Belgium. She aims to speed up the just transition to a circular and climate neutral economy as coordinator for the Greens/EFA in the environment committee, as well as in the committee on industry, research and energy and the employment social affairs committee. Marian Nastase Chairman ALRO Marian Nastase – President and non-executive member of ALRO’s Board of Directors Marian Nastase graduated from the Academy of Economic Studies in Bucharest where he majored in foreign trade. Mr. Nastase has extensive experience in financial consulting and auditing. He has worked at Deloitte & Touche in Romania, amongst other accountancy firms. In 2002, Marian Nastase joined ALRO as the Executive Director in charge of all financial affairs of the Company. Mr. Nastase was subsequently appointed as Vimetco Country Manager Romania and his current mandate covers all Vimetco Group operations in aluminium, natural gas and electric power in the country. Lisa Allen Director of Regulatory Affairs ILA Lead Lisa Allen joined ILA in 2016. Previously, she managed regulatory support services at REACHReady Ltd, a subsidiary of the UK Chemical Industries Association. Lisa studied Natural Sciences at the University of Cambridge and holds an MA and an MSci in inorganic and physical chemistry. Véronique Steukers President Nickel Institute Veronique is responsible for steering the strategic direction of the Nickel Institute in its mission to promote the responsible supply of nickel and sustainable development of the nickel industry. She became President of the Nickel Institute in 2025. Veronique joined the Nickel Institute in 2012 and served as Director Public Policy & Sustainability, focussing on ensuring that global regulation and legislation on nickel and nickel compounds is science-based, justified and takes account of the socio-economic importance and the life cycle perspective of nickel.; She has more than 25 years experience in regulatory and government affairs, including over a decade in the corporate metal and chemicals sector. Veronique holds a PhD in Organic Chemistry from the University of Exeter Paul Voss Director General European Aluminium Paul joined European Aluminium after eight years as Managing Director of Euroheat & Power, the association representing the European district energy sector. He brings almost two decades of experience in public affairs and government relations, with a strong focus on Brussels and the energy sector. Paul studied in Canada, France and Belgium, and holds a Master’s degree in European Public Policy. Roland Chavasse Secretary General International Lithium Association Roland Chavasse is the Secretary General of the International Lithium Association (ILiA), the global industry body representing the lithium value chain, which he co-founded with Anand Sheth in 2021.  In his role, Roland is responsible for overseeing the operations of the Association, representing the interests of its members, and promoting the sustainable development of the lithium industry globally. His work involves engaging with various stakeholders, including industry leaders, policymakers, and researchers, to address challenges and opportunities within the lithium supply chain. His leadership at ILiA focuses on fostering collaboration, driving innovation, and advocating for best practices in the production and use of lithium, particularly in the context of its critical role in battery technology and the transition to renewable energy sources. Ioannis Mytilineos Senior Director, Copper Metal Purchases Department ElvalHalcor   Senior Director of Raw Materials Purchasing at ElvalHalcor Copper Segment, with over two decades of experience in non-ferrous metals, and recycling industries. Specialized in strategic sourcing of both primary and secondary raw materials, international metals trading, and industrial recycling. Extensive leadership experience across European manufacturing operations, with a strong focus on supply chain optimization, sustainable sourcing, and circular economy development. Remigiusz Paszkiewicz President & CEO KGHM Polska Miedź S.A. *]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(--scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(--thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" data-turn-id="request-WEB:9a3c6fcb-a481-4970-b0cd-7fe5dd83ac0c-139" data-turn-id-container="request-WEB:9a3c6fcb-a481-4970-b0cd-7fe5dd83ac0c-139" data-testid="conversation-turn-64" data-turn="assistant"> Experienced executive and industrial transformation expert, specialising in restructuring large organisations in the infrastructure, rail and logistics sectors. He has led major structural and organisational reforms, including the separation of infrastructure and transport activities at Ukrainian Railways in line with EU requirements, and the largest railway modernisation programme undertaken at the time by PKP Polskie Linie Kolejowe. Since August 2025, he has served as President of the Management Board of Grupa Przemysłowa Baltic Sp. z o.o., where he leads the Group’s development and industrial transformation, positioning it as a Tier 1 partner for strategic energy projects in Poland, including onshore and offshore wind, shipbuilding and nuclear energy. Previously, he held senior management positions at Slovenske Železnice – Tovorni Promet, ANWIL S.A. and PKP Polskie Linie Kolejowe, and advised on logistics and infrastructure development projects. He has extensive experience in major investment programmes, international financing and modern management systems. A graduate of Warsaw University of Technology, the National School of Public Administration and the College of Europe in Natolin, he also completed a programme at Harvard Kennedy School. Anna-Maria Karjalainen Head of EU Regulatory Affairs and Deputy Director General International Copper Association Europe Anna-Maria is Deputy Director General and Head of EU Regulatory Affairs at the International Copper Association Europe, where she serves as the association’s primary interface with the European institutions, representing the copper sector in high-level EU policy and regulatory discussions. She leads ICA Europe’s science and regulatory affairs work, working with a strong team of experts across energy and climate, environment and chemicals, and circularity and waste, to deliver robust, evidence-based advocacy that supports the sector’s contribution to Europe’s industrial, climate and circular economy objectives. She has more than 15 years of experience in EU policymaking and advocacy, including nearly a decade in public affairs consultancy, and previously worked at the European Commission. She holds an MA from the College of Europe in Bruges and a BA from Royal Holloway, University of London.   Hanne Simensen Executive Vice President for Aluminium Metal Norsk Hydro Simensen joined Hydro in 1994 and has held several positions across the company. From 2021 to 2024, she was Senior Vice President and Head of Aluminium Metal Commercial, following her role as Senior Vice President and Director of Global Business Services from 2018 to 2021. She previously held the position of Executive Vice President for People & HSE (2015–2017) and served as Vice President and Head of Energy Markets in Hydro Productions AS from 2013 to 2015. Between 2004 and 2013, she held several senior positions within Hydro’s energy business External directorships: Deputy chair of Qatalum Board member in Norsk Industri Member of Representantskapet NHO Education: Master of management from BI Norwegian Business School, Oslo, Norway Ruth Lambrechts President European Precious Metals Federation (EPMF) Ruth Lambrechts is President of the European Precious Metals Federation (EPMF), the European association representing promoting and supporting the interests of the European precious metals industry, including the refining, recycling, trading, and fabrication of gold, silver, platinum, and palladium. As Director of Government Affairs at Umicore, a global leader in circular materials technology, she also chairs of the European Metals Trade Committee. In these roles, she engages on EU policy issues related to climate, trade, industrial competitiveness, sustainability, and the circular economy. Prior to joining Umicore, she was an Energy and Climate Policy Expert at Agoria, the Belgian federation for the technology industry and non-ferrous metals sector.