An interview with Abdelzaher Abdelsattar Hassan Abdou, Chairman & CEO, Egyptalum; the oldest aluminium producer in the MENA region

Egyptalum (Egyptian Aluminium Company) is the largest aluminium producer in Egypt and the oldest in the MENA region. It is also one of the largest in North Africa having a total annual production of around 320,000 tonnes. It produces primary aluminium and rolling and extrusion products. Abdelzaher Abdelsattar Hassan Abdou is the Chairman and CEO of Egyptalum who brings more than 37 years of experience to the aluminium production process in Egyptalum. The company has significantly transformed under his leadership to reach an annual production capacity of 320,000 tonnes by the end of 2010.

AlCircle had the opportunity to meet Abdelzaher Abdelsattar Hassan Abdou and discuss about his company’s current projects and future plans on the third day of the Arab International Aluminium Conference (ARABAL), the premium platform for the aluminium industry that took place in Kuwait city from 11-13 November, 2018.

Here is an excerpt from the interview:

AlCircle: Tell us in brief about the history of aluminium industry in Egypt?

Abdelzaher Abdelsattar Hassan: Egypt Aluminum Factory or Egyptalum started as old as in 1969, with a smelter, casthouse, rodding shop, rolling plant and extrusion plant. No other Gulf aluminium companies existed at the time when we started operating and Egyptalum was the first company to start aluminium production in the Middle East region. Now the aluminium production capacity stands at 320,000 tonnes, which we are planning to expand it to 570,000 tonnes by 2022. Currently, Egyptalum exports 60% of its production to Europe and the U.S. and 40% of sales take place in the local market in Egypt.

 

AlCircle: Egyptalum is expected to increase its annual aluminium production from 320,000 tonnes to 570,000 tons by 2022. How is the company working towards it?

Abdelzaher Abdelsattar Hassan: We are on track to achieve this target. We will start construction of the expansion project in January 2019. We expect to complete the project and start operating in three years. We would complete the first phase in two years and the second phase will be completed in three years. 

AlCircle: Please brief us on the YoY financial growth of Egyptalum in the last financial term.

Abdelzaher Abdelsattar Hassan: Our profitability depends on alumina and LME aluminium prices. This year, both alumina and aluminium prices are higher in comparison to last year due to higher LME aluminium prices. This has benefitted Egyptalum and we have seen improved performance in the latest financial results.

AlCircle: Please brief us on the rolling and foundry segments of Egyptalum.

Abdelzaher Abdelsattar Hassan: We have both rolling and extrusion operations. We produce aluminium slabs, billets, rolling sheets, plates, coil and strips. The production is expected to reach 108,000 tons per year of hot rolled products. All our extrusion and rolling products are exported to Europe and the U.S. and some are shipped to local market.

AlCircle: What is your outlook on the aluminium industry growth in the Middle East region?

Abdelzaher Abdelsattar Hassan: The aluminium industry in the Middle East has been growing significantly in last 10 -20 years. There have been project expansions in Saudi Arabia and UAE and almost in every Gulf country including Egypt. All the countries put together produce about six million tonnes of aluminium in the Middle east and export globally.

AlCircle: As a noted speaker and active participant in the ARABAL conference, the leading aluminium event in the Middle East aluminium sector, what are your expectations from it?

Abdelzaher Abdelsattar Hassan: ARABAL is growing with the expansion of the Middle East aluminium industry. ARABAL is an event that offers a platform for producers/suppliers to meet their customers and potential customers. It also boosts co-operation among the Gulf countries as well with other Asian and European countries.  

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