EGA supplies molten metal to Ducab Aluminium at Kizad via dedicated hot metal channel

First time in the UAE industrial history one industrial site is linked to separate industrial sites through a dedicated channel. Emirates Global Aluminium’s (EGA) Al Taweelah smelter is all set to start delivering molten aluminium to its customers in Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi (Kizad) via a dedicated hot metal channel.  This is a part of EGA’s project that was initiated as a means of cutting cost and in order to develop a competitive aluminium value added segment in UAE.

The first customer to avail this hot metal supply service from EGA is Ducab Aluminium Company which will produce aluminium electrical cables from this aluminium. One of the most economic methods of sourcing aluminium is to receive it as molten metal as it eliminates the need for re-melting it before application. So, firms like Ducab Aluminium Company can save on machinery cost as well as save the amount of energy needed for remelting.  This is both environmental friendly and cost effective and will contribute towards the competitiveness of the growing UAE aluminium downstream sector.



For this purpose, EGA has developed a state-of-the-art liquid metal transfer facility, which can operate constantly for 24 hours. The facility transfers molten metal via an overhead crane to preheated 14.5 tonne crucibles which are designed to keep aluminium in liquid state for up to 18 hours at around 780 degrees Celsius. The crucibles are mounted on highly secured trailers and they are then driven to customers to deliver the molten metal.

Ducab Aluminium Company is a jointly owned Ducab, a top manufacturer of high-quality cables and cabling products, and Senaat, a leading industrial investment and holding company in the UAE.

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Commenting on the new project, Dr Feras Allan, Senior VP, Product & Casting Operations at EGA said, “For our customers and those businesses planning to establish their operations in KIZAD, receiving molten metal offers substantial operating and environmental advantages.”

“This means that the Hot Metal Road is an important boost to the development of the broader aluminium industry here, creating jobs, economic opportunities and wealth for the nation,” he added.

Hassan Omar, CEO, Ducab also indicated the cost effectiveness and environmental benefits of the project that can boost the downstream aluminium industries: “The close proximity of the new Ducab Aluminium Company plant to the world’s largest single-site aluminium smelter introduces additional efficiencies into our operations. The Hot Metal Road will significantly reduce re-melting costs and save energy, in line with Ducab’s environmentally-responsible production policies, and allow us to develop a complementary downstream industry in both aluminium rod and conductors.”
 
EGA will be able to deliver up to 250 thousand tonnes of liquid aluminium per year once all the aluminium downstream industries at Kizad start operating.