UAE primary aluminium sector highlighted at 27th International Aluminium Conference

This will be achieved on two fronts: in addition to a combined stand in the exhibition component alongside the conference, DUBAL and EMAL are the joint Platinum Sponsors of the overall event and the MBI 2012 Registration Desk. Yousuf Bastaki, EMAL's Vice President: Projects, is also among the line-up of speakers.

Touted as the premier international forum for understanding industry dynamics and uncovering market potential, the annual MBI events attract 500-plus key industry decision-makers from around the world — thus offering excellent opportunities for networking and deal-making. Aiming to maximize the exposure offered by the forum, the joint DUBAL-EMAL exhibition stand will showcase the two companies and promote their product portfolios. DUBAL produces billets for construction, industrial, transportation and forging purposes in automotive industries; high-purity aluminium ingots for use in the electronics and aerospace industries; and foundry alloy ingots, which are absorbed primarily by the automotive sector. EMAL's product portfolio also includes extrusion billets for construction and transportation applications; foundry ingots, used in the automotive sector; and sheet ingots, which are primarily destined for the packaging industry, lithographic sheets and the automotive industry.

An entirely state-owned enterprise, DUBAL owns and operates a one million metric tonne per annum primary aluminium smelter at Jebel Ali, Dubai — one of the largest single-site operations of its kind in the world — and in 2011 produced 1,014,795 metric tonnes of hot metal.

The company is renowned internationally for its premium purity, high quality products and services; as well as its commitment to sustainable development through conscious efforts to maximise the health and safety people, reduce the impact of its operations on the environment, and invest in the social and economic development of the community. Dedicated programmes support the Emiratization goals of the UAE, including targeted recruitment, skills development, management training and strategic career planning. Approximately 92% of DUBAL's annual production is exported to more than 50 countries in over 300 countries across the globe, the company's key markets being Asia, Europe, the Middle East North Africa ("MENA") region and The Americas.

A green-field development, EMAL is being built in two phases at Al Taweelah, Abu Dhabi, and is owned in equal shareholding by DUBAL and Mubadala Development Company. Energizing of the 756 reduction cells in EMAL Phase I, with a total capacity of 750,000 metric tonnes per annum, took place between 1 December 2009 and 31 December 2010 — with full production being reached four months ahead of schedule, yet within budget. EMAL's high quality products are currently supplied to more than 200 customers in 36 countries around the world.

EMAL Phase II was announced in July 2011. A new 444-cell potline is being built which, together with a technology upgrade of the existing cells, will increase EMAL's annual production capacity to 1.3 million metric tonnes by 2014.

EMAL enjoys a strong reputation for sound safety management, wellbeing programmes for its employees and adopting global best practices to minimize its environmental footprint — the latter entrenched through the implementation of DUBAL's in-house developed DX Reduction Technology, which offers enhanced energy efficiency and productivity levels yet lower environmental emissions than comparative technologies. These attributes are complemented by initiatives to harness Emirati talent through job-creation, engaging the community in corporate activities and celebrating the national and cultural heritage of the UAE.

Confirming the contribution of the region to the global industry, the combined 1.8 million metric tonnes of primary aluminium products manufactured in the UAE in 2011 represents almost 4% of the estimated 45.5 million metric tonnes of annual global production. It's also 50% of the 3.6 million metric tonnes produced in the greater Gulf region (itself equivalent to 7.9% of global production in 2011).