Metalproduction and processin

However, the proportion of export sales to total sales in
this sector was lower at 41. 8% compared to 49. 5%. The alumin-
ium industry, which generates 47. 7% of its sales abroad, sold
goods worth EUR 1. 3bn – or 14. 4% of its exports – to the UK. De-
liveries to the UK were just as important for the precious metal
industry.

Although they accounted for a smaller proportion of ex-
ports to the UK (10. 9%) , they represent a higher ratio of foreign
sales (59. 1%) . However, British exports were much less significant
for the steel industry and foundries than for the sector as a whole.

As in the aluminiumindustry, the indirect level dependence is not
negligible. For the most important global customer is the auto-
mobile industry, and the corresponding German industry gener-
ated a good 8% of its sales in the UK. On the other hand, the re-
ported export ratios in the metal sector overstate the direct
dependence. As a supplier of intermediate products, exports to the
UK will not always be directly dependent on British demand.

To some extent, products undergo further processing there and are
then exported to another country, whose demand will not be weak-
ened by Brexit.