How does the EU CBAM classify aluminium production routes?

Under Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/2621, aluminium is demarcated into Route K (Primary Electrolytic Smelter using alumina and carbon anodes) and Route L (Secondary Recycled Aluminium using process scrap and post-consumer scrap).

Are indirect electricity emissions included in aluminium CBAM?

Yes. Aluminium is a Scope 1 and Scope 2 covered good under Annex II. For primary smelting (Route K), electricity grid emission factors or direct power purchase agreements (PPAs) heavily dictate total embedded liability.

Annex I Sector Guide

EU CBAM Compliance for Aluminium Exporters

Master the official EU route taxonomy (Routes K & L), Scope 2 electricity accounting, precursor rules, and statutory default mark-ups (+10% in 2026, +20% in 2027, +30% in 2028) under Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/2621.

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Aluminium Production Route TaxonomyIR 2025/2621

Route K (Primary Smelter): Hall-Héroult electrolytic reduction of alumina. High electrical energy consumption with PFC (CF4 / C2F6) perfluorocarbon direct emissions.
Route L (Secondary Scrap): Melting and refining recycled aluminium scrap. Consumes ~95% less energy than primary smelting with massive carbon savings.

Electricity & Precursor BoundariesAnnex III §3.3

Aluminium manufacturers must report direct emissions (Scope 1) plus indirect electricity emissions (Scope 2). Upstream precursor requirements include:

CN 7601 (Unwrought Aluminium Ingot)CN 2818 20 00 (Calcined Alumina)Anode Pitch & Petroleum Coke

Commercial Advantage: Recycled Route L secondary producers can eliminate up to 85% of EU CBAM liability by proving verified primary scrap mass balances.

Covered Aluminium Combined Nomenclature (CN) LinesTariff Directory

Select any CN code below to inspect its dedicated regulatory reference dossier with statutory gazette values and country comparison benchmarks.

CN Code	Commodity Description	Applicable EU Routes	2026 Statutory Default	Dossier Link
CN 7601	Unwrought Aluminium (Ingots, Billets, Slabs & Sows)	Route K (Primary Smelter) / Route L (Secondary Scrap)	7.744 tCO₂e/t	View Dossier →
CN 7603	Aluminium Powders & Flakes	Route K / Route L	8.140 tCO₂e/t	View Dossier →
CN 7604	Aluminium Bars, Rods & Profiles (Extrusions)	Route K / Route L	8.382 tCO₂e/t	View Dossier →
CN 7605	Aluminium Wire	Route K / Route L	8.008 tCO₂e/t	View Dossier →
CN 7606	Aluminium Plates, Sheets & Strip (> 0.2mm Thickness)	Route K / Route L	8.558 tCO₂e/t	View Dossier →
CN 7607	Aluminium Foil (<= 0.2mm Thickness)	Route K / Route L	8.932 tCO₂e/t	View Dossier →
CN 7608	Aluminium Tubes & Pipes	Route K / Route L	8.712 tCO₂e/t	View Dossier →
CN 7610	Aluminium Structures & Parts of Structures	Route K / Route L	8.844 tCO₂e/t	View Dossier →

Exporting aluminium to the European Union?

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