EMAL uses World Future Energy Summit to lead way on global sustainability

One of the key outcomes from the sixth World Future Energy Summit (WFES) in Abu Dhabi last month was the contribution of leading UAE companies towards sustainable development. One local company investing significant efforts in sustainability is Emirates Aluminium (EMAL).

EMAL has been committed to sustainable development since its inception, and this on-going obligation led to EMAL signing up as an Associate Sponsor of the World Future Energy Summit.

Saaed Fadhel Al Mazrooei, President and CEO of EMAL, explains that sustainability is in the company's DNA.

"EMAL has invested in the most advanced technologies available to ensure minimal environmental impact. As a result, EMAL does not only meet the minimum regulatory requirements, but tries to push beyond what is required and achieve benchmark setting standards in the industry," said Al Mazrooei.

As the world searches for solutions to the increasing demand for power and more efficient ways to use the current energy supply, EMAL is the first facility to license the highly efficient DUBAL-developed DX and the DX+ Reduction Cell Technologies.

"These cutting-edge technologies significantly reduce energy costs and increase efficiency, whilst significantly increasing aluminium production. DX+ is similar to DX, but will further enable EMAL to produce more aluminium using even less energy than DX, thus making the process much more efficient," said Al Mazrooei.

EMAL has also invested in state-of-the-art gas turbines and cooling towers technologies. The turbines are equipped with advanced emission control technologies that help reduce the smelter's emissions, whilst advanced cooling towers reduce the temperature of water used during the energy production process, ensuring it is returned to the sea within a one degree Celsius temperature range.

In addition, a natural gas pipeline directly connected to EMAL provides a clean, reliable and uninterrupted natural gas supply to power the plant, reducing CO2 emissions by up to 70% in comparison with the coal-fired alternatives used in many other aluminium smelters across the world.

Almost 30,000 people attended the sixth World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi last month. WFES 2013, hosted by Masdar, Abu Dhabi's multi-faceted renewable energy company, again provided a global platform for discussion on the future of clean energy and energy efficiency, and gave the opportunity for 650 exhibitors from 40 countries to showcase their latest technologies.

EMAL's groundbreaking work on developing sustainable solutions to provide clean energy is being noticed globally and is clearly putting UAE companies on the global sustainability map.

"Our success in the field of sustainability has been recognised by a number of independent assessors. Fluoride emissions are below the international standards set by the IPPC and roof vent emissions are below the EIA range," said Al Mazrooei.

"Independent environmental impact studies confirm our success, and we are proud to have also recently become a member of the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Group," he added.

"EMAL was honoured to support World Future Energy Summit 2013, the sixth annual gathering of future energy's world leaders, as we continue to advance as a beacon for the sustainable economic diversification of the UAE," he concluded.

The commitment of EMAL, as shown in their achievements and their sponsorship of the World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi, is leading the way for UAE companies to reach international standards in sustainable development and fulfil the wise vision of the country's past and present leaders in making the UAE a key global player in the growing sustainability sector.