EGA aims to modernise the future of aluminium production with SAP's S/4HANA software

Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA), the largest industrial company in the United Arab Emirates outside of the oil and gas sector, has recently inked a significant deal with SAP. This partnership aims to modernise EGA's core enterprise resource planning (ERP) system by transitioning to SAP's cutting-edge S/4HANA software.

Abdulnasser Bin Kalban, Chief Executive Officer of Emirates Global Aluminium, said, "Our digital transformation is a core part of achieving EGA's bold aspiration to innovate the future of aluminium production. Leading our sector in the application of Industry 4.0 requires advanced computing and software capabilities to generate real-time data analytics and insights. The opportunities of Industry 4.0 are not just in our operations, but also in the functions through which we manage our business." 

EGA & SAP software

EGA relies heavily on SAP software solutions to oversee crucial functions such as marketing and sales, supply chain management, finance, human capital management, production planning and scheduling, and plant maintenance across its expansive global operations. EGA currently processes an impressive volume of over 150,000 business transactions every month.

By adopting SAP's S/4HANA, EGA anticipates a substantial boost in its data processing capabilities, projecting an impressive 30-fold increase in processing speeds. This upgrade not only serves to fortify EGA's current computing infrastructure but also lays the foundation for future digital advancements.

Abdulnasser Bin Kalban, Chief Executive Officer of Emirates Global Aluminium, added, "Our digital transformation is a core part of achieving EGA's bold aspiration to innovate the future of aluminium production. Leading our sector in the application of Industry 4.0 requires advanced computing and software capabilities to generate real-time data analytics and insights. The opportunities of Industry 4.0 are not just in our operations, but also in the functions through which we manage our business." 

About S/4HANA

The enhanced processing power of S/4HANA will allow EGA to explore innovative technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced real-time data analytics, thereby unlocking new potentials and efficiencies across its operations. This strategic move underscores EGA's commitment to staying at the forefront of technological progress within the industrial landscape.

Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) has chosen to host its new SAP S/4HANA system in a private cloud within the Microsoft Azure environment. This strategic decision ensures that EGA's ERP solution will receive continuous updates and advancements as SAP technologies evolve. The migration process to this new system will be facilitated through SAP RISE, streamlining the transition for EGA's operations.

EGA initiated an ambitious digital transformation initiative in 2021 to improve every facet of its business operations. This comprehensive transformation is designed to elevate the experiences of both customers and employees while also laying the groundwork for creating new revenue streams.

Manos Raptopoulos, President of SAP's Europe, Middle East and Africa region, stated, "Emirates Global Aluminium is a highly progressive company, with a vision to leverage Industry 4.0 capabilities to boost its competitiveness, improve operations, and benefit its people. With SAP S/4HANA on RISE, EGA will increase its resiliency and future-proof its computing for key business functions. EGA will also gain improved visibility, flexibility, reduced total cost of ownership, and enhanced user experience."

EGA positioning itself at the forefront of technological innovation 

By embracing advanced digital solutions and leveraging the capabilities of SAP S/4HANA on the Microsoft Azure cloud, EGA is positioning itself at the forefront of technological innovation within the industrial sector. This move underscores EGA's commitment to driving efficiency, enhancing user experiences, and fostering growth opportunities across its operations.

Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) has successfully deployed more than 60 Industry 4.0 use cases as part of its expansive digital transformation efforts. These initiatives span a wide spectrum, including the application of artificial intelligence vision technology to conduct real-time quality checks on carbon anode production. Additionally, EGA has developed predictive tools to forecast market movements for key commodities, enhancing its strategic decision-making processes.

Thus far, nearly 2,000 EGA employees have undergone upskilling programs focused on digital capabilities and new working methods. The impact of this transformation has been substantial, delivering approximately $90 million in financial benefits. EGA's commitment to embracing cutting-edge technologies and fostering a culture of innovation is evident in these achievements, positioning the company for continued success and growth in the ever-evolving industrial landscape.

Carlo K Nizam, Chief Digital Officer of Emirates Global Aluminium, said, “S/4HANA is part of our new digital foundations and brings with it a significantly enhanced employee experience that is real time, mobile friendly and integrates seamlessly to our state-of-the-art data platform which enables a wide range of Industry 4.0 capabilities.”