Construction of world's largest single-site aluminium production facility signifies shift to the UAE for global aluminium production

Within the first 12 months, the Dhs18b partnership has signed the largest deal of its kind in the aluminium industry, received various industry awards - including EMEA Industrial Deal of the Year and the Middle East Manufacturing Deal of the Year - employed more than 1,000 people and is operating on budget and on schedule.

More than Dhs9bn worth of contracts have been signed, including a Dhs1.8b contract with General Electric, a Dhs500m contract with Fuji Electric and a Dhs700m contract with Alstom for the facility’s gas treatment centres (GTCs) - the largest contract of its kind for the supply of GTCs in the aluminium industry.

Explaining how the project will diversify the UAE economy, Duncan Hedditch, EMAL CEO said that the facility is expected to generate export revenues for the UAE of around Dhs9bn ($2.5bn) annually and annual aluminium production is predicted to be 1.4 million tonnes by the end of phase two.

“The aluminium production facility being built by EMAL signifies a shift to the Middle East as the hub for world aluminium production. The facility will create the potential for downstream opportunities beyond oil and gas and add to the industrial base of the UAE.'

“EMAL is also creating significant diversified employment opportunities. Since the groundbreaking took place in May 2007, more than 1,000 jobs have been created and this figure will peak to 14,000 during our peak production period in phase two of construction.” Hedditch added that the operational workforce will provide direct employment for 2,000 people.

Within its first year, EMAL has already demonstrated its commitment to environmental stewardship. Hedditch explained that the Alstom contract reflects not only EMAL’s commitment to enhancing the UAE’s economy but to raising global aluminium production facility standards.

“EMAL adheres to strict environmental guidelines set by the Abu Dhabi Environment Agency and the Alstom contract represents a significant step towards ongoing environmentally sound aluminium production – throughout both construction and operation of the facility. Our environmental strategy also includes ongoing protection of local species, some of which have already been successfully relocated,” Hedditch added.