Elval, the aluminium rolling division of ElvalHalcor, participated in the European Combat Vessel (ECV) Industry Workshop, in San Fernando, Cádiz, Spain. The workshop was organised by the European Defence Agency, with the support of SEA Europe (Shipyards’ & Maritime Equipment Association of Europe), and brought together EU Member States, leading European shipyards, maritime stakeholders and defence industry companies across the value chain.
The European Combat Vessel programme is one of Europe’s most ambitious collaborative defence initiatives. It is designed not as a single vessel, but as a family of next-generation naval vessels built around shared technologies, modular architecture and advanced operational capabilities. Within this context, the programme is closely aligned with Europe’s wider defence priorities, including industrial cooperation, standardisation, maritime security and strategic autonomy.
Elval’s presence at the workshop underlines the company’s growing relevance in demanding, high-value applications where material performance, certification, sustainability and industrial reliability are critical. During the workshop, Elval presented the capabilities of aluminium rolled products as a mature and sustainable solution for advanced naval shipbuilding applications, with particular relevance to Work Package 5 (WP5), which focuses on hull and superstructure design, as well as construction materials.
The company highlighted the role of aluminium in supporting key requirements of next-generation naval platforms, including modular construction, weight reduction, lifecycle optimisation, corrosion resistance and energy efficiency. These characteristics are increasingly important for naval and defence applications, where performance, operational efficiency and long-term durability are central considerations.
The presentation was followed by a technical Q&A session, during which discussions focused on interoperability, industrial capability and the increasing role of aluminium solutions in future naval platforms. This engagement further demonstrates Elval’s ability to participate in specialised European industrial ecosystems and to position its product portfolio in markets supported by long-term structural demand.
Elval’s participation in the ECV Industry Workshop reflects the strategic direction of ElvalHalcor towards higher value-added applications, diversification across resilient end markets and stronger alignment with Europe’s industrial and defence priorities. As aluminium continues to gain importance as an enabling material for lighter, more efficient and sustainable manufacturing, Elval is well positioned to contribute to the future of European shipbuilding and defence technologies, while reinforcing the role of Greek industry in Europe’s strategic industrial autonomy.