Emirates Aluminium, a leading single site aluminium smelter complex, recently held a symbolic ground breaking of its Phase II development in the USD 4.5 billion expansion.

The ceremony marked the start of construction of the Al Taweelah smelter’s Phase II with completion and full production planned to be reached in little more than two years. This will boost Emal’s total production capacity to around 1.3 million tonnes by the end of 2014.

Phase I was completed ahead of time and to budget, and has been making its mark as both a cornerstone project of the UAE’s 2030 Vision and a major new force in the global aluminium market supplying 280 customers in 36 countries with high quality aluminium. Emal Phase II will include the addition of a new potline and will result in the world’s longest ever single smelting line.

Mr Saeed Fadhel Al Mazrooei president and CEO of Emal said that “As an equal joint venture between Mubadala and Dubal, Emal embodies the united stance of the Emirates to diversify the UAE’s economy away from a dependence on oil and gas for the benefit of present and future generations of the Emirati people.”

Mr Al Mazrooei said that “When complete, Emal will take its place as the largest and most advanced single site producers of primary aluminium in the world and one of the leading contributors to deliver a stable and prosperous Emirati future. We have achieved our successes through the dedication of our shareholders, employees, suppliers and contractors which has delivered the confidence to continue our endeavor with the construction of Phase II.”

He said that the lessons, experience, locally developed technologies and exceptional achievements that have characterized this landmark project will ensure that we meet the increased international demand for aluminium by reaching full production of Phase II by 2014.

(Sourced from Trade Arabia)