The Middle East is now a name that we closely associate with low-carbon aluminium production, cutting-edge smelting technology, digital innovations, and sustainability initiatives. The region has evolved from an oil-dependent economy to a burgeoning hub for aluminium manufacturing, supported by abundant energy resources and sustainable production practices. While leading companies like Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA), Aluminium Bahrain (Alba), and Ma’aden Aluminium are steering the growth, numerous organisations from outside the region are playing a key role in advancing the industry. Such is the company INNOVAL Technology, which is helping to propel the expansion of the aluminium sector in the Middle East through its essential services.
From knowledge sharing to materials design & development – vital services in support
Behind the growth of the aluminium industry in the Middle East, technology, equipment, and service providers play a notable role. Providing end-to-end support to the Middle East aluminium industry, INNOVAL claims many aluminium companies in the Middle East have benefitted by accessing their extensive knowledge of the global aluminium industry.
INNOVAL provides services in three areas - materials design & development, sustainability & knowledge transfer, and advanced manufacturing processes. It also offers strategic support for capital investment, plant expansion, new plant design, and due diligence projects, including pre-feasibility and feasibility studies. Their technical expertise, equipment specifications, and plant layout options have proven valuable to the region's both primary and downstream aluminium companies.
Professor Michael Clinch, Managing Director of INNOVAL Technology, highlights that the Middle East is becoming a key hub for aluminium production, presenting exciting growth opportunities for allied industries, including technology. The contributions of these industries are vital to the ongoing expansion of the region's aluminium sector.
Primary roles of primary aluminium producers
With the backing of technology, equipment companies, and other allied industries, primary aluminium producers have transformed the aluminium industry landscape in the Middle East. Companies like Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) have harnessed cutting-edge technologies to become global leaders in aluminium production. EGA’s strategic vision, coupled with a strong commitment to technological innovation, has been key to its growth and success over the years.
In just over four years since launching its digital transformation strategy, EGA became the first aluminium company worldwide and the first industrial firm in the UAE to be designated as an Industry 4.0 global lighthouse by the World Economic Forum. The company’s constant zeal towards technological innovation for the sake of more efficient aluminium production has also propelled the company to design the next generation of smelting technology, EX, tailored to produce more aluminium with less energy and lower greenhouse gas emissions.
While technology is one pillar of growth for EGA, the other is sustainability, wherein renewable energy and recycling play a pivotal role hand-in-hand. To address the growing demand for sustainable and recycled aluminium products, EGA has started developing its recycling business. Alongside acquiring recycling companies in various parts of the world, it has progressed in constructing the UAE’s largest aluminium recycling facility in Al Taweelah, with a production capacity of 170,000 tonnes of secondary billet per year.
Sustainability – a preferred choice in the Middle East aluminium industry
Sustainability has taken centre stage in the Middle East as aluminium producers have shifted their focus on producing low-carbon aluminium. Whether by boosting recycling, increasing the use of recycled metal as raw material, deploying renewable energy sources, or enhancing smelting technology to reduce carbon emissions, the Middle East aluminium industry is constantly upping the game of sustainability and leading the world by example. In recognition of these efforts, the world is increasingly acknowledging the Middle East as a leader in sustainability. One of the most notable recognitions has been earned by Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C. (Alba), the first aluminium smelter in the Middle East, by acquiring a prestigious Platinum rating from EcoVadis for its sustainability moves like launching a low-carbon aluminium product line EternAL, introducing an electric, battery-powered aluminium fluoride feeding vehicle at the smelter, and partnership with Daiki Aluminium to establish a sustainable dross processing facility. Other Middle Eastern companies, such as Ma’aden, Qatalum, and Egyptalum, have also been recognised for their sustainability moves by the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative.
To gain a deeper understanding of how technology and sustainability are driving the growth of the Middle East aluminium industry, explore these exclusive articles in our e-Magazine, Aluminium Middle East: Focus 2025.
Emirates Global Aluminium: Advancing the industry on a global scale
Driving growth and production in the Middle East - INNOVAL
Bringing a circular future: Major green initiatives shaping the aluminium industry in Middle East
The Middle East aluminium industry thus truly represents technology and sustainability. Yes, it does!
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