The UAE’s largest industrial firm, Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA), announced the commencement of hot metal production at pilot reduction cells for EX, its next-generation aluminium smelting technology. With this, EGA has taken a pioneering step towards the goal that demands industrial innovation to be aligned with decarbonisation objectives. This development is noteworthy – not only for its technical advancement over DX+ Ultra but also for its long-term strategic goal of building the most self-sufficient, energy-efficient, and low-carbon aluminium smelter in the world by 2028.
Image source: EGA
EX is the tenth-generation smelting technology of EGA and is a daring combination of automation powered by AI, sustainability, and productivity.
Abdulnasser Bin Kalban, CEO of EGA, said on this occasion, “The first hot metal from these EX Technology reduction cells is a key milestone for both our technology leadership and future growth at EGA. Our goal is to expand our primary aluminium production with the most advanced and smart aluminium smelting technology, to build the smelter of the future and to create further value for EGA through smelting technology partnerships around the world.”
The blueprint for reinventing the production of aluminium is found in the pilot reduction cells at Al Taweelah, where EGA started producing hot metal in June 2025. These cells are much more than just technological advancements.
From pilot to powerhouse: a timeline of transformation
The progression of EX has been slow but persistent. EGA began with the design phase in 2024, followed by construction commencing in the latter half of 2024. Commissioning of the 10 pilot-scale reduction cells happened in June 2025; it showcased a methodical, repeatable R&D to commercialisation pipeline.
These pilot cells contain a variety of IoT sensors and the benefit of AI-based machine learning models, which allows them to adjust dynamically in real-time for both energy efficiency and yield.
With the implementation of EX, EGA’s production capacity will rise by 22% while GHG emissions per tonne will plummet by as much as 12% in its low-energy variant. The high-productivity variant will also achieve a 5% emissions reduction, which is truly an odd combination of increasing output while reducing emissions.
“First hot metal from these EX Technology reduction cells is a key milestone for both our technology leadership and future growth,” Kalban noted. “We aim to build the smelter of the future,” he said.
Industry 4.0 in action: digitalising aluminium smelting
Talking about the most radical characteristic of EX, it would perhaps be the integration of Industry 4.0 systems, from autonomous cranes to predictive-maintenance algorithms. Now, EGA plans to integrate over 80 digital solutions, which have been developed since its digital transformation initiative in 2021, many of which have already created over $100 million in value.
In January 2025, EGA’s designation by the World Economic Forum as an Industry 4.0 Global Lighthouse emphasises the global significance of its model. For heavy industries and smelters, in particular, this level of digital maturity is rarely achieved.
Versatility for a carbon-constrained world
The dual-variant EX model – maximum production and low emissions – addresses the dual dilemma facing the global aluminium industry, growing to meet demand while reducing carbon footprints.
Kalban emphasised, “EX technology will enable the production of more aluminium with less energy and lower emissions, unlocking opportunities for EGA’s growth and helping us to meet the increasing global demand for the low carbon primary aluminium required to reach net zero by 2050.”
The forward-compatible, flexible nature of EX enables EGA to use EX not just as technology but as a platform, allowing for licensing opportunities, generation of scale and market and sustainability variations.
Strategic impact and global relevance
EGA’s technology independence enables the UAE to be a provider and not just a consumer of vital green technologies. EGA’s 2016 technology licensing agreement with Aluminium Bahrain marked this transition—and EX underpins it
As the UAE has technological resources for its industrial strategy to diversify away from oil, EGA’s adaptation is a case study. And, since aluminium is anticipated to be a key metal in electric vehicles, renewable energy, and construction, EX could serve a geopolitical role in clean technology supply chains.
EX pots at Al Taweelah demonstrate industrial reinvention, focusing on vision, resilience, and systems thinking, enhancing industrial autonomy, climate accountability, and data-driven productivity.
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