The mechanisms of microstructure evolution during Aluminium sheet production, i.e. hot and cold rolling and subsequent annealing processes are quantitatively described for large scale industrially produced Al-alloys. Their application in simulation models is discussed, as used for the prediction of metallurgical effects and microstructure evolution (deformation and recrystallization structure and texture) and the resulting properties (strength, formability, anisotropy). It is shown how simulation models of the different processes can handle the various then-no-mechanical parameters and how they are applied in practice for process control, new material development and novel process optimization strategies.