MANAMA (ALBH): Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C. (Alba), one of the world’s largest aluminium smelters, has inked an Associate Centre Partnership Agreement under the Advanced Manufacturing Industries Cluster with the World Economic Forum (WEF), in a signing ceremony led by Alba’s Chief Executive Officer Ali Al Baqali and WEF’s Head of Global Partner Development and Member of the Executive Committee, Alexandre Raffoul, on 04 March 2024 at Alba premises.

The signing ceremony was also attended by key representatives from both parties: Chief Supply Officer Waleed Tamimi and Operational Excellence Manager Ahmed Bahar from Alba in addition to the Regional Manager - Business engagement, Middle East and Africa, Joanna Lahham, and Community Curator, Advanced Manufacturing and Supply Chains, Ian Cronin, from WEF.

This three-year partnership offers significant opportunities for Alba to facilitate collaboration with industry leaders, policymakers, and experts within the Advanced Manufacturing ecosystem; access best practices and insights from global leaders in sustainability, technology, and industry trends; foster an environment for creating innovative solutions to address critical industry challenges, as well as gain valuable knowledge and insights to inform strategic decisions regarding sustainability, technology, and global trends.

Commenting on this partnership, Alba’s CEO Ali Al Baqali emphasised the Company’s commitment to positive change through leadership and collaboration:  

“As a corporate global citizen, Alba is committed to driving positive change through leadership and global cooperation. We are excited to partner with the World Economic Forum, a platform for exchanging expertise and best practices in key domains like Artificial Intelligence, Sustainability, and Supply Chain.

This partnership will further strengthen our position as a global leader and accelerate our digital transformation journey, potentially leading to inclusion in the prestigious Global Lighthouse Network, a leading platform for collaboration and learning related to advanced Industry 4.0 technologies.”

Alexandre Raffoul, Head of Global Partner Development and Member of the Executive Committee at the Forum, said:

“We are delighted to welcome Alba as a partner of the World Economic Forum, this collaboration aims to support Alba and the Kingdom of Bahrain in anticipating global trends and accelerating digital transformation. This partnership aligns with the Forum’s mission for shaping the future of advanced manufacturing and supply chains, focusing on Industry 4.0 applications, fostering the realization of net-zero industries, and driving responsible growth.”

WEF’s Global Lighthouse Network is a platform for manufacturers to use fourth industrial revolution technologies to transform factories, value chains and business models for better productivity and sustainability gains.

About Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C. (Alba)

[Ticker: ALBH]

At plus-1.62 million metric tonnes per annum (mtpa) (2023), Alba is one of the largest smelters in the world with more than 50 years of excellence in Operations, Safety, Environment and Socio-Economic Development.

A blue-chip asset of the Kingdom of Bahrain, Alba produces high-quality Aluminium products in the form of Standard and Value-Added Products (VAP)s, which are exported to more than 240 global customers through its sales offices in Europe (Zurich), Asia (Singapore) and subsidiary office in the U.S. Alba is dual listed on Bahrain Bourse and London Stock Exchange and its shareholders are Bahrain Mumtalakat Holding Company B.S.C. © (69.38%), SABIC Industrial Investments Company (SIIC) (20.62%) and General Public (10%). Alba holds globally-recognised certifications such as ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 27001, ISO 45001, IATF 16949:2016, ISO 22301:2012 Business Continuity Management System (BCMS) and ASI Performance Standard Certification and Ecovadis Certification.

As the first aluminium smelter in the Middle East, Alba sits at the heart of a thriving aluminium downstream sector in Bahrain, which accounts for approximately 12% of the Kingdom's GDP. As one of the biggest national companies, it has ensured not only the employment of Bahrain nationals (85% in 2022) but also the enhancement of their capabilities through education, training, and development initiatives at every stage of their career.

Alba is recognised as one of the top industrial companies in the world with high standards in Environment practices, Social contribution and Corporate Governance. Launched in February 2022, the Company’s ESG Roadmap outlines 6 priority areas - (1) Decarbonisation, (2) Green Energy & Aluminium, (3) Circular Economy & Secondary Aluminium, (4) Employee Welfare, (5) Collaboration & Partnership and (6) Transparency, Communications & Due Diligence. Since its inception, Alba has invested into numerous environment, sustainable and socio-economic development projects that have had a positive impact on the society. Alba’s first-of-its-kind US$37.5 million zero-waste Spent Pot Lining Treatment Plant, the upcoming 5-7 MW Solar Farm Project and the Power Station 5 Block 4 Project are tangible efforts to meet the goals of the Net Zero Carbon targets by 2060 led by HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Bahrain. Alba will also play a crucial role in the upcoming Aluminium Downstream Park, which will increase the contribution of non-oil sectors to the GDP of Bahrain.

Alba’s motto ‘Safety First, Safety Always’ has ensured that the Safety and well-being of its employees and contractors’ workforce remain a top priority. The Company broke all previous records in Safety and topped 30 million Safe working-hours without Lost Time Injury (LTI) on 01 September 2022 for the first-time in its history. The Company has been recognised internationally for its excellent Safety and Health track record with awards such as the RoSPA Gold Medal Award (9 years in a row) and International Safety Award with Merit from British Safety Council, as well as six major National Safety Council (NSC) USA awards for 2021. Alba has also been recognised for its initiatives to produce Aluminium responsibly through awards such as Top ESG performer in Bahrain by ESG Invest, Safeguard Label from Bureau Veritas and Best Corporate Governance Award by Ethical Boardroom.

Alba Power Station 5 Block 4 Expansion Project

Alba Power Station 5 (PS5) Block 4 is a Combined Cycle Power Plant that is an expansion of the existing PS5.

PS5 Block 4 Project is the addition of a fourth Block of similar 1:1:1 configuration with J-class gas turbine technology and with minimum nominal ISO rating of a 680.9 MW and includes tie into the existing 220kV Substation. The efficiency of this combined cycle power plant is much higher than the combined cycle power plants of PS3 and PS4. On completion of PS5 Block 4 Expansion Project, the nameplate capacity of PS5 will increase from 1,800 MW to 2,481 MW.

Mitsubishi Power & SEPCOIII consortium will be responsible to design, engineer, procure, construct and commission Block 4. PS5 Block 4 commercial operations are expected to begin in Q4 2024.

Alba Stakeholder Engagement Plan

Alba’s ‘Stakeholder Engagement Plan’ outlines the Company’s communication with all its stakeholders including the community, the Environment and Social impacts as well as mitigation controls for its operations in addition to its external Grievance Mechanism through the Code of Conduct, for any stakeholder(s) or the public to raise any concerns or issues.

Alba’s External Grievance Mechanism

Alba Integrity Line is an independently operated confidential reporting hotline for all stakeholders, employees, contractors and commercial partners, and broader community, to report on a confidential basis, any potential breaches of Alba’s Code of Conduct, as well as Environment and Social (E&S) Impacts. Alba Integrity Line is available in multiple languages - via a toll-free phone system or via the intranet and the Company’s website www.albasmelter.com 24 hours a day.

For further details, please contact:
Eline Hilal
Director, Investor Relations, Insurance & Corporate Secretary
Investor Relations Department
E-mail:   eline.hilal@alba.com.bh
Website: www.albasmelter.com
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