Alba takes another leap towards net-zero carbon emission, signs contract with MHI Group for CO2 capture application

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) Group and its engineering company Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Engineering, Ltd. (MHIENG) have entered into an agreement with Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C (Alba), a major Bahrain-based aluminium producer, to capture carbon dioxide (CO2) emitted from the smelting process at one of its plants. As per the report, MHI Group and its engineering company have undertaken a feasibility study for applying CO2 Capture Technology at Alba's plant, following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on Monday, March 28.

This collaboration is highly significant as this will mark the world’s first application of CO2 capture technology in the aluminium industry, enhance MHI Group’s presence in the Middle East, and advance Bahrain’s decarbonisation efforts.

One of the signatories of the agreement was Shaikj Daij bn Salman bin Daij Al Khalifa, chairman of Alba. At the signing ceremony, he said: “This MoU will play a fundamental role as we want to be accelerators and embed sustainability considerations in our operations to be more environmentally responsible and inclusive.”

Various carbon capture initiatives have already been undertaken across the various manufacturing industries worldwide, such as cement, transport, and the steel industry, to reduce the environmental impact.

The aluminium industry’s initiative to reduce its carbon footprint is symbolic, given that it is responsible for 1.1 billion tonnes of CO2 emissions, or 2 per cent of the world’s total.