Metef 2014 leveraged to raise UAE's profile as one of world's top aluminium producers
United Arab Emirates: The UAE's reputation as an emerging giant in the global aluminium industry, and a key supplier to European markets, has been enhanced by the attendance of Emirates Global Aluminium PJSC ("EGA") at the 10th Metef International Aluminium Exhibition ("Metef 2014"), which was held in Verona, Italy from 11 to 13 June.
A jointly-owned aluminium conglomerate formed by Mubadala Development Corporation of Abu Dhabi and Investment Corporation of Dubai through combining their aluminium industry assets, EGA's core operating subsidiaries are Dubai Aluminium PJSC ("DUBAL") and Emirates Aluminium PJSC ("EMAL"). EGA's presence at the biannual Metef exhibition for the first time as a single entity drew interest from a range of industry stakeholders looking for insight into the new business entity and how its state-of-the-art facilities, sustainable practices, quality product portfolio and advanced technologies could add value to the growing European market.
According to Walid Al Attar (Chief Marketing Officer at EGA) building brand awareness in the European market is a vital part of EGA's growth strategy, as the European Union needs to import approximately 60 per cent of its primary aluminium requirements. In 2013, EGA shipped nearly a quarter of its production to the region, and this is set to grow in the coming years.
"Our products are used extensively by the EU's automotive and aerospace industries, and demand is on the rise. With EMAL Phase II having been fully commissioned since mid-June this year, our total production capacity has increased to 2.4 million tonnes per year, which not only puts us among the top five aluminium producers in the world outside China, but gives us the ability to service this growing market," said Al Attar.
EGA also used its exhibition stand at Metef 2014 to highlight its ideal location to serve Europe and its specialised portfolio, much of which comprises value-added products. EGA already has dedicated offices in Zurich and Milan, and supports this presence with a comprehensive infrastructure of discharge port facilities and warehouses that enable timely deliveries to aluminium end-users across Europe. "By promoting our facilities and our product portfolio, we were able to demonstrate our ability to meet the growing demand for high-quality aluminium products in Europe," said Al Attar.
About EGA, DUBAL and EMAL
Emirates Global Aluminium ("EGA") is a jointly-held, equal-ownership company formed by Mubadala Development Company of Abu Dhabi and the Investment Corporation of Dubai by combining their respective aluminium industry interests. EGA's core operating entities are Dubai Aluminium ("DUBAL") and Emirates Aluminium ("EMAL"), whose combined annual production capacity reached 2.4 million tonnes per annum ("tpa") mid-2014, which makes EGA the fifth largest aluminium producer in the world. The UAE-based EGA also owns Guinea Alumina Corporation ("GAC"), a strategic bauxite mine and alumina refinery development project in Guinea (West Africa). In addition, EGA has plans for significant local growth and international expansion.
DUBAL, where commissioning began in 1979, operates one of the world's largest single-site primary aluminium smelters. The DUBAL complex, built on a 4.75 square kilometre site in Jebel Ali, Dubai, comprises a 1 million tpa smelter, a 2,350 MW power station (at 30˚C), a large carbon plant, extensive casting operations (more than 1.2 million tpa), a water desalination plant, dock and other facilities. A quality-focused, customer-centred and innovation-drive organization, DUBAL holds ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO/TS 16949, ISO/IEC 20000-1, ISO/IEC 27001, ISO 29990, ISO 50001 and OHSAS 18001 certification.
EMAL is designed to become another of the world's largest single-site primary aluminium smelters. The EMAL complex, housed on a 6 square kilometre site in Al Taweelah, Abu Dhabi, has been built in two phases. Phase I, which was fully commissioned by the end of 2010, is the world's largest greenfield smelter development and currently has a smelter capacity of 800,000 tpa. Commissioning of Phase II, comprising the world's single-longest potline (444 cells) with a design capacity of 520,000 tpa, began mid-September 2013. Full ramp-up was achieved mid-2014, giving EMAL an annual hot metal production capacity of 1.3 million tpa. EMAL holds ISO 9001 accreditation and Nebosh certification in Occupational Health and Safety.
The combined DUBAL-EMAL portfolio comprises high quality aluminium products in four main forms: foundry alloy (automotive applications); billet (construction, industrial, transportation and automotive forging); high purity aluminium (electronics and aerospace); and sheet ingot (packaging, lithographic sheets and the automotive industry). Busbars and anode bars are also made for the electrolytic process used to produce primary aluminium from alumina ore. Over 350 customers are served in at least 64 countries, predominantly in Asia, Europe, MENA region and the Americas.
For further details please contact:
Yasser Fathy- Arabia PR
Tel: + 971 4 342 35 84
Fax: + 971 4 342 35 83
yasser@arabiapr.com
www.arabiapr.com
© Press Release 2014
