“The adoption of digital technology across the aluminium manufacturing chain is imperative on a global level, not just in the Middle East,” Nadine Bloxsome, Editor, Aluminium International Today

The Middle East aluminium industry plays a crucial role in the global production of aluminium is what Nadine Bloxsome, editor of Aluminium International Today, believes. Aluminium International Today, popularly known as AIT, is a leading publication for the aluminium manufacturing industry that delivers global news and detailed technical articles to the readers on the latest developments and challenges in aluminium production and processing.

So, let’s hear it from the editor of the publication about the current aluminium market in the Middle East how it is planning to contribute to the global metal industry. She has also talked about the Future Aluminium Forum 2020 to be held in Quebec as AIT is the official media partner of the event.

What according to you is the significance of Middle East aluminium industry in the global aluminium sector?

Nadine Bloxsome: The Middle East aluminium industry plays a crucial role in the global production of aluminium. We are seeing huge investments across the sector, not least from Alba who are on course to become the largest single-site smelter in the world. More recently, we have also seen a growth in the number of downstream industries in the region, who are supplying local and international market profiles for construction, automobile parts, cable, rolling products, and packaging.

Do you agree Middle East smelters are some of the most technically advanced and environmentally cleanest smelters in the world?

Nadine Bloxsome: Yes, because the majority of the smelters, especially in the GCC are relatively new. The older ones are also getting extensively modernised. A combination of factors, such as the price of gas, efficiency of power generation, and extensive human resources development, results in the GCC smelters being some of the lowest cost, modern, and most environmentally friendly smelters in the world.

How important is the implication of digital technology in developing an efficient and highly productive aluminium industry in a region?

Nadine Bloxsome: The adoption of digital technology across the aluminium manufacturing chain is imperative on a global level, not just in this region.

Aluminium International Today is the official media partner for Future Aluminium Forum 2020 to be held in Quebec. What is the significance of the event for the global aluminium sector?

Nadine Bloxsome: The 2020 Future Aluminium Forum will be the third time we have hosted the event and this time we are moving out of Europe to Québec City, which is at the heart of innovation in the aluminium manufacturing sector.

Originally developed to assist manufacturers and processors in adopting digital technologies and overcoming the challenges associated with implementation, the Forum has become the annual meeting place to share case studies and discuss how Industry 4.0 can aid and optimise the

aluminium manufacturing process through machine learning, robotics, automation and augmented reality across the value chain.

There are still a lot of questions and challenges when it comes to integrating digital manufacturing and the Future Aluminium Forum is the only dedicated industry event that offers advice and a platform for manufacturers and solutions providers to discuss how best to work towards a smarter supply chain.

What is your view on the participation of Middle East aluminium industry in the Future Aluminium Forum? How best can they motivate an event like this?

Nadine Bloxsome: We welcome the Middle East aluminium industry to the Future Aluminium Forum and would be very interested to present any case studies to delegates. At the 2019 edition in May this year, the Vice President of Technology Development & Transfer from Emirates Global Aluminium presented on the company’s road map for Industry 4.0, which was very well received.

I am keen to involve more from the major players in this region to present the technology investments and highlight the work already being done to harness the potential of Industry 4.0. In particular, a recent article from Sohar Aluminium in Aluminium International Today presented the company’s efforts to position itself as a ‘Smelter of the Future’, which will be a session focus at the Forum.

Why do you think aluminium players should attend the Future Aluminium Forum 2020?

Nadine Bloxsome: The 'Industry 4.0 Revolution' is already here and I want to help aluminium manufacturers and processors know exactly what this could entail - the benefits and the challenges. The Future Aluminium Forum 2020 will look at ‘from pilot to everyday’ projects and what these mean for the industry as a whole.

The Forum’s key audience consists of those with a leading role in process technology excellence, industrial innovation, research and development, digital transformation and value acceleration, process simulation and engineering education and development.

It is the ideal environment to discuss a collaborative approach to adopting digital technologies, with ample networking opportunities, detailed presentations and a dedicated cyber-security seminar.

What will be the highlights of the Industry 4.0 Conference during the event?

Nadine Bloxsome: The two-day conference will feature sessions on the smelter of the future, automation in the casthouse, data capturing and handling, implementation and challenges in robotics, Industry 4.0 maintenance/asset management and additive manufacturing.

There will also be a dedicated seminar to address the cyber resilience of the sector, which will help delegates to work on cyber crisis management.

Do you think sustainability and environmental concerns will drive the aluminium industry in near future? How is the industry moving towards this cause?

Nadine Bloxsome: In short, yes! We are seeing huge leaps being made in sustainable technology such as ELYSIS and greener aluminium products entering the market, which shows the industry’s  dedication in this area.

The Future Aluminium Forum will highlight technologies such as sorting, recycling, traceability and wastewater treatment, which are working towards a greener aluminium value chain.