The profile of UAE aluminium sector will be presented by Dubal and Emal at Aluminium 2012

In support of the region's strategic ambitions to grow product sales in Europe, the UAE's primary aluminium industry will be well represented at the 9th World Trade Fair and Conference (Aluminium 2012), which takes place at Messe Düsseldorf, Germany, from 9 to 11 October this year.

This will be achieved through the joint participation of Dubai Aluminium (Dubal) and Emirates Aluminium (Emal) at Aluminium 2012 - an event which the organizers say unites producers, processors, technology suppliers and consumers along the entire aluminium value chain.

This makes Aluminium 2012 a world-leading business-to-business platform for the aluminium industry and its main applications, and thus an excellent forum for increasing the volumes of Dubal and Emal's products sold in Europe and farther afield.

With this in mind, the combined Dubal-Emal exhibition stand at Aluminium 2012 will promote the two companies' key attributes, specifically the extensive range of made-to-order, world-class, premium quality primary aluminium products of the highest purity being produced in the UAE and shipped across the globe; the smelters' adherence to the highest standards in environmental protection; and their foundation on sustainability principles.

Already well known in the region, Dubal and Emal's foundry products are used extensively by the European Union's automotive industry - comprising all the major carmakers - to manufacture wheels, engine components, plus the shiny rims and trims on high-end automobiles. The two companies' products are also widely used to manufacture aeroplane sheet and plates for the European Union's aerospace industry.

An entirely state-owned enterprise, Dubal owns and operates a one million metric tonne per annum primary aluminium smelter at Jebel Ali, Dubai — one of the largest single-site operations of its kind in the world. The company is renowned internationally for its premium purity, high quality products and services; as well as its commitment to sustainable development through conscious efforts to maximise the health and safety people, reduce the impact of its operations on the environment, and invest in the social and economic development of the community. Approximately 92% of Dubal's annual production is exported globally, the company's key markets being Asia, Europe, the Middle East North Africa (MENA) region and the Americas.

Emal, a 50:50 joint venture between Dubal and Mubadala, was established in February 2007 to construct the world's largest single-site aluminium smelter complex. The project is being built in two Phases. Commissioning of Emal Phase I, with a total capacity of 750,000 metric tonnes per annum, took place between 1 December 2009 and 31 December 2010. The company already enjoys a strong reputation for sound safety management, wellbeing programmes for its employees and adopting global best practices to minimize its environmental footprint — the latter entrenched through the implementation of Dubal DX Reduction Technology, which offers enhanced energy efficiency and productivity levels yet lower environmental emissions than comparative technologies. These attributes are complemented by initiatives to harness Emirati talent through job-creation, engaging the community in corporate activities and celebrating the national and cultural heritage of the UAE.

Emal Phase II was announced in July 2011. A new 444-cell potline is being built which, together with a technology upgrade of the existing cells, will increase Emal's annual production capacity to around 1.3 million metric tonnes by the end of 2014. The new generation, enhanced Dubal DX+ Technology has been licensed for Emal Phase II. The Dubal Marketing & Sales department is responsible for marketing the metal produced by Emal.

"In 2012, we expect that over 27% of the 1,795,000 metric tonnes joint cast production of Dubal and Emal will be shipped to Europe," says Mohammed Al Mutawa (Dubal's General Manager Marketing & Sales: Europe & The Americas and Emal's General Manager Marketing & Sales).

Al Mutawa adds that Dubal has been an active player in the European market since 1996, shipping substantial product volumes each year to Germany, the Netherlands, Italy, Czech Republic, Poland, France and Greece. The company has enjoyed good market share growth over the years, and this trend is set to continue.