Emirates Global Aluminium PJSC (EGA) announced this week that it has begun the second phase of the expansion of its aluminium smelter at Al Taweelah ahead of schedule.
EGA said in a press release that the second phase will add 26 new reduction cells to Potline 2, increasing the line’s output by over 30 thousand metric tons per annum as a result. Both of the other potlines will see additional reduction cells added during the second phase as well.
The firm expects the additional reduction cells on Potline 3 to commence production by year’s end. Altogether the second phase will see 66 new reduction cells that will boost the Al Taweelah aluminium smelter’s yearly output by 78 thousand metric tons.
EGA says the global coronavirus pandemic has done little to slow the pace of the expansion project, as it is currently ahead of schedule and about 80 percent complete.
EGA Chief Executive Officer Abdulnasser Bin Kalban said that safety continues to be the firm’s top priority during this project.
“We have been working throughout COVID-19 on this expansion to Al Taweelah smelter, which is now starting production as the world increasingly needs aluminium to build back better. As always, our first priority is the safety of each person working on this project and I congratulate the team on their safety performance. We look forward to the start-up of the remaining reduction cells later this year.”
Based in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Emirates Global Aluminium is an aluminium conglomerate created by the merger between Dubai Aluminium (DUBAL) and Emirates Aluminium (EMAL) in 2013. EGA had an estimated enterprise value of US$15 billion at the time the merger took place. The firm is owned equally by Mubadala Development Company of Abu Dhabi and Investment Corporation of Dubai. Emirates Global Aluminium holds interests in bauxite/alumina and primary aluminium smelting.