UAE primary aluminium industry to be showcased at trade fair in Italy

In line with the region's ambitions to grow product sales in Europe, the potential contribution of the UAE's primary aluminium industry to the European market will again be highlighted at the 9th Metef International Aluminium Exhibition (Metef 2012), thanks to the joint participation of Dubai Aluminium (DUBAL) and Emirates Aluminium (EMAL) at this high profile event.

Held from 18 to 21 April this year in Verona, Italy, the biennial series of Metef exhibitions ranks among the major events in the region, thus providing an excellent platform for increasing the volumes of DUBAL and EMAL's products sold in Europe and farther a field.

By design, the combined DUBAL-EMAL exhibition stand at Metef 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 — and in 2011 produced 1,014,795 metric tonnes of hot metal.

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.

Dedicated programmes support the Emiratization goals of the UAE, including targeted recruitment, skills development, management training and strategic career planning. Approximately 92% of DUBAL's annual production is exported globally, the company's key markets being Asia, Europe, the Middle East North Africa region and the Americas.

EMAL, a 50:50 joint venture between DUBAL and Mubadala, was established in February 2007 to construct what will become the world's largest single-site aluminium smelter complex. The project is being built in two Phases. Energizing of the 756 reduction cells in EMAL Phase I, with a total capacity of 750,000 metric tonnes per annum, took place between 1 December 2009 and 31 December 2010 — with full production being reached four months ahead of schedule, yet within budget. 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 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 will be 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. DUBAL DX Technology has been licensed to and installed at EMAL Phase I; while the new generation, enhanced DUBAL DX+ Technology has been licensed for EMAL Phase II.

DUBAL is responsible for marketing the metal produced by EMAL. This amounted to 288,568 metric tonnes of cast aluminium in 2010, and 748,000 metric tonnes in 2011; in addition to DUBAL's own sales, which exceeded one million tonnes in both years. "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 Sultan Al Sabri (General Manager Marketing & Sales: Europe & The Americas).

"The major proportion of this will, as in prior years, comprise billet and foundry re-melt products."

Al Sabri adds that DUBAL has been an active player in the European market since 1996, shipping substantial volume of product 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.

"Given that the European Union as a whole needs to import approximately 60% of its primary aluminium requirements, we foresee excellent opportunities to grow the market share of DUBAL and EMAL in the region," he says.

"This, together with the stringent standards to which we adhere so as to minimize our operations impact on the environment and ensure longer-term sustainability, creates confidence that demand for our products will continue to increase."