Aluminum wire rod is produced by several different processes namely extrusion, rolling and coiling, or drawn directly from molten aluminium. It is also produced through continuous casting technique. The aluminium wire rods are then used as raw material for making aluminium cables and overhead conductors that yield excellent mechanical and electrical cable properties. The Middle East Aluminium sector was mainly known for its primary aluminium companies. The seven major aluminium producers of the region namely Emirates Global Aluminium (the UAE), Aluminium Bahrain (Bahrain), Ma’aden Aluminium (KSA), Qatalum (Qatar), Sohar Aluminium (Oman), Iran Aluminium Company, and Egypt Aluminium have positioned themselves to capture the aluminium growth and produced about 5.3 million tonnes of primary metal in 2017. The domestic demand for aluminium has been also increasing consistently on a year-on-year basis. By the end of first quarter of 2017, Middle East aluminium demand had touched 6% YoY. Owing to the faster growth of the building and construction sector, electrical applications have grown over the years driving demand for aluminium products like wire rod, wire, cable and overhead conductor.
We are lusting below five aluminium wire rod and conductor manufacturers in the Middle East based on their product categories, capacities and market reach. The listing is not necssarily in descending order and is subjected to change in market dynamics.
1. Midal Cables
Midal Cables Limited was established in 1977 conceived between Intersteel, Bahrain and Olex Cables, Australia to manufacture Alumimium Rod and Overhead Electrical Transmission Cables, Conductors. At present, Bahrain has the most developed downstream sector in the GCC, largely due to its longevity. The basic model of having the smelter with the downstream industries in close proximity started in Bahrain with Alba supplying liquid metal in crucibles to Midal Cables. The liquid Aluminium is highly pure which allows Midal to cast Rod and manufacture wires and cables with high conductivity. Midal Cables’ has a current combined capacity of about 500,000 MTPA in its facilities in Bahrain and Turkey and Saudi Arabia.
Midal's EC grade and 6201 Alloy Rod are sold around the world as well as being used in-house to manufacture a full range of Overhead Electrical Conductors and Aluminum Wires. Exporting its Award winning products not only throughout the Middle East but also across the globe, Midal has built up a reputation of quality and reliability in the marketplace worldwide. The fact that Bahrain is the leading exporter of aluminium wire in the world is driven by Midal’s expertise and reach.
“Midal Cables and Alba have grown as a daughter and as a mother,” said Hamid Rashid Al Zayani, managing director of Midal Cables, “Midal Cables takes roughly 25% to 30% of Alba’s product.”
2. Ducab Aluminium Company
Ducab Aluminium Company (DAC) is a joint venture between Senaat and its portfolio company Ducab. DAC, which will manufacture aluminium / aluminium alloy rods, wires, and bare overhead conductors, aims to capitalize on the growing market demand in the MENA region and expand globally.
Environment-friendly processes will be employed within the mill, and liquid aluminium will be supplied from the EMAL smelter in KIZAD, Abu Dhabi. DAC products are one of the best in quality with technically advanced processes. The Aluminium rods are manufactured with continuous casting and rolling. The EC rods manufactured are with 99.7% minimum purity and conform the requirements of ASTM B233-97.
Ducab’s factory that manufactures aluminium rod and overhead conductors, was officially inaugurated in the Khalifa Industrial Zone of Abu Dhabi (KIZAD) in February 2018. The company will manufacture 50,000 tonnes of high quality electrical grade aluminium rod and overhead conductor per annum once it reaches its full capacity supplying to both local and international customers.
The activities at DAC will complement Ducab’s existing portfolio, which includes a total of five manufacturing facilities in the UAE with the capabilities to develop, design, manufacture, and distribute copper and aluminium wire and cable products.
3. Oman Aluminium Processing Industries LLC
Oman Aluminium Processing Industries LLC (OAPIL) is Oman's leading aluminium rod and overhead line conductor manufacturer. Oman Aluminium Processing Industries LLC (OAPIL) is Oman’s leading aluminium rod and overhead line conductor manufacturer. The company was established in 2008 as a joint venture between two of Oman’s prestigious business groups, Oman Cables Industries (SAOG) and Takamul Investments Co (SAOC) OAPIL is fulfilling its role as an important player in the Sultanate’s Aluminium and Electrical Transmission sector by contributing to Oman’s industrialisation and creating an incomparable and skilled international workforce within the organisation.
OAPIL announced its very first commercial production in the month of July 2010 and since then has been instrumental in shaping the Power Transmission Industries not only in Oman but also in other GCC countries and in select international markets.
4. Trans Gulf Aluminium Industries Co. L.L.C
Trans Gulf Aluminium Industries Co. L.L.C was formed in 1998 for the manufacture of EC Grade Aluminium Wire Rods & Aluminium Alloy Ingots & other allied products.
Situated in Jebel Ali Industrial Area in Dubai, UAE, next to one of the largest ports in world, Trans Gulf Aluminium Industries Co has a strategic advantage of proximity to major port and also to major Aluminium Smelters like ALBA, EGA, Iralco and SOHAR ALUMINIUM etc.
Wire rod manufacturing unit has been set up to cater to the Raw Material needs of Cable and Conductor Industries in Middle East, Africa and Indian sub-continent. The wire rod mill is first of its kind in the country and it has an annual production capacity of 30,000 tonnes. They produce both EC grade and Alloy wire rods. The facility is equipped to produce rods to confirm to any other International Quality Standard as per customer's requirement.
5. Alumtek
Alumtek in Iran started commercial operation in 1968. It was started with the objectives for manufacturing Aluminum products including Aluminium Conductors Steel Reinforced (ACSR) and Aluminium Profiles.
The company has been supplying the highest quality of ACSR to be used in implementing power transmission line projects locally and internationally. During past 30 years of progress, the company has invested in the most modern and unique state of art facilities and have explored the latest technology.
They develop EC & Alloy Wire Rods after a highly evolved and developed continuous casting and rolling process. These Alloy Wire Rods are manufactured from high purity ingots and the most updated technology. Then they use them as raw material for producing aluminium conductors used in distribution and transmission lines.
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