Emal creates 2,000 jobs as it plans capacity expansion

Abu Dhabi: Emirates Aluminium (Emal) has created 2,000 jobs that serves a growing clientele base of 280 customers in 36 countries worldwide as it plans to expand production capacity, a top official told Gulf News.

Emal uses DX reduction cell technology to produce 750,000 tonnes of aluminium annually with future potential to double output, making it the largest smelter in the world.

Saeed Fadhel Al Mazrooei, President and CEO of Emal, said that the $5.7 billion joint venture between Dubai Aluminium and Mubadala Investment Company makes Emal one of the largest industrial projects in the UAE outside oil and gas and one of the key projects leading the diversification of the UAE's economy.

Emal supplies 280 customers in 36 countries with high quality aluminium which is available as sow, standard ingots, sheet ingots and extrusion billets. ISO9000-certified sow is traded on the London Metals Exchange, said Al Mazrooei.

An advanced infrastructure at the Al Taweelah site provides customers with guaranteed, reliable and sustainable production and distribution. The site includes a 2,000 MW power plant, carbon plant and flexible casthouse with a wide variety of world class products.

A purpose-built wharf at Khalifa Port shortens the supply chain of raw materials direct from sea to smelter.

Focus markets

He added that Emal uses the most sustainable technologies available worldwide to reduce emissions in line with Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi requirements to minimise its carbon footprint.

Emal has created 2,000 jobs with emiratisation at the core of its employment strategy.

The company has also introduced scholarship programmes to provide technical training for local graduates with guaranteed job opportunities.

Emal's community engagement includes open days for the local community and support for social, sports and cultural organisations.

Speaking to Gulf News about the purchasers of the Emal products, Al Mazrooei said that Emal supplies the world with high-quality metal.

"Emal has established a global customer base that currently includes 280 customers in 36 countries with high quality aluminium, which we plan to double upon completion of Phase 2," added Al Mazrooei.

"Although we supply markets globally, Emal has current focus markets on Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and North America," he continued.

With regard to phase II of the project, Al Mazrooei said that Emal is currently in the advanced stages of conducting feasibility studies. "Most recently we have awarded Feed for our Phase Two expansion, " he said.

He explained: "These studies will determine the amount of investment required for the construction of Phase Two, which has the potential to double Emal's production to 1.3 million tonnes of aluminium per annum."