Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA), the world’s largest producer of premium aluminium, and Emirates Nuclear Energy Company (ENEC) have announced the UAE’s first delivery of aluminium manufactured using electricity generated from the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant in Abu Dhabi’s Al Dhafra region.
Image Source: EGA
The breakthrough product, branded MinimAL, marks a significant step forward in the decarbonisation of heavy industry in the UAE and globally.
The first batch of this low-carbon aluminium will be supplied to CANEX Aluminum, Egypt’s leading aluminium downstream producer, for use in infrastructure, solar energy, transportation, and architectural applications.
Decarbonising aluminium through nuclear power
Electricity generation accounts for around 60 per cent of the global aluminium industry’s greenhouse gas emissions. EGA’s adoption of clean, 24/7 nuclear energy from Barakah enables the company to drastically reduce the carbon footprint of its aluminium production and expand its portfolio of sustainable metals for both local and global markets.
Emirates Global Aluminium Chief Executive Officer Abdulnasser Bin Kalban said, “Global demand for low carbon aluminium is expected to triple by 2040, and EGA aims to play an important role in this growth. MinimAL is our latest low-carbon product, made possible through the UAE’s investment in nuclear power generation. We are glad to be working with ENEC to supply more low carbon aluminium to the world.”
His Excellency Mohamed Al Hammadi, Managing Director and CEO of ENEC, highlighted the strategic national significance of this milestone, “This milestone shows how nuclear energy is boosting national energy security and enabling the UAE’s industrial decarbonisation in parallel, reliably powering energy-intensive sectors like aluminium production with clean electricity 24/7. Through the abundant electricity generated at Barakah, we have unlocked the significant, proven and long-term benefits of nuclear energy to power the UAE’s low-carbon economy for decades to come.”
Industry collaboration for cleaner supply chains
CANEX Aluminum is the first customer to integrate MinimAL into its operations, aligning with its sustainability-driven manufacturing model.
Mutassem Daaboul, Managing Director of CANEX Aluminum, said, “At CANEX, we believe true sustainability is built into every layer of production—from the raw material to the final product. Our upcycling model already transforms waste into value-added products. Now, with MinimAL, we are taking another step forward by reducing embedded emissions at the very beginning of our process. This partnership with EGA reflects our shared commitment to responsible innovation.”
The clean electricity used to produce MinimAL is certified through the UAE’s Clean Energy Certification programme, adhering to the International REC Standard (I-REC) to ensure full traceability and credibility. The electricity is delivered via the national grid through Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC).
The Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant generates 40 terawatt-hours of clean electricity annually, meeting about 25 per cent of the UAE’s total electricity needs equivalent to the annual power demand of Switzerland. The plant avoids 22.4 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions per year, comparable to removing 4.8 million cars from the road.
Part of a broader low-carbon portfolio
EGA is already a global leader in green aluminium production. It was the first company worldwide to produce aluminium using solar power, with 80,000 tonnes of its CelestiAL product made in 2024. The company also markets RevivAL, its recycled aluminium product manufactured at its plants in the US and Germany.
In the UAE, EGA is currently building the country’s largest aluminium recycling facility at Al Taweelah, expected to begin production in the first half of 2026, further strengthening its commitment to circular and low-carbon production.
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