19 February 2015
Corporate sponsorship leveraged to strengthen partnership-based relationships

United Arab Emirates: Customers of Emirates Global Aluminium ("EGA") from around the world visited Dubai recently to attend a series of events that coincident with the 2015 Omega Dubai Desert Classic ("the Omega DDC"). A sponsor of the Omega DDC since 1992, EGA leverages the tournament each year to solidify and build on relationships with key global partners by hosting guests at the golf, offering an entertaining social programme (including the annual EGA Golf Day), conducting tours of its Jebel Ali and Al Taweelah sites, and holding numerous business-related meetings.

The latter included the annual EGA Customer Meeting, held on 1 February at Madinat Jumeirah. The keynote address was given by Abdulla Kalban (MD & CEO: EGA), who reflected on the successes of the past and looked to the future as he presented EGA's five-year strategic plan. Information was also shared by other members of EGA's senior management on topics of interest to customers - notably advancements implemented at EGA's casting operations and the process control measures in place to ensure the highest purity and quality standards are maintained; a progress report on the advanced reduction cell technologies developed in-house at EGA; an update on the major projects completed in 2014 and planned for 2015; as well as an exposition on market trends and forecasts.

The 2015 Omega DDC - which took place from 29 January to 1 February - saw top names from the international golfing community compete on the championship golf course, ultimately concluding in a triumphant second-time victory for Rory Mcllroy. "We were again impressed with how professionally the 2015 Omega Dubai Desert Classic was organised and were pleased to be part of another extremely successful event," said Khalid Buhumaid (Senior Vice President, Communications & Government Relations: EGA). "It is encouraging to see how EGA's involvement has contributed to the tournament's evolution into an internationally recognized event. The high standards set by the organisers play an important role in drawing international golfing champions to the event, which in turn, raises the profile of Dubai - and the UAE - across the world."

About EGA
Emirates Global Aluminium ("EGA") is a jointly-held, equal-ownership company formed by Mubadala Development Company of Abu Dhabi and the Investment Corporation of Dubai by combining their respective aluminium industry interests. EGA's core operating assets are Dubai Aluminium ("DUBAL", also known as EGA Jebel Ali) and Emirates Aluminium ("EMAL", also known as EGA Al Taweelah), whose combined annual production capacity of 2.4 million tonnes per annum ("tpa") places EGA among the top five primary aluminium producers in the world, by volume. The UAE-based EGA also owns Guinea Alumina Corporation ("GAC"), a strategic bauxite mine and alumina refinery development project in West Africa. In addition, EGA has plans for significant local growth and international expansion.

DUBAL, where commissioning began in 1979, operates one of the world's largest single-site primary aluminium smelters. The DUBAL complex, built on a 4.75 square kilometre site in Jebel Ali, Dubai, comprises a 1 million tpa smelter, a 2,350 MW power station, a large carbon plant, extensive casting operations (more than 1.2 million tpa), a water desalination plant, dock and other facilities. DUBAL holds ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO/TS 16949, ISO/IEC 20000-1, ISO/IEC 27001, ISO 29990, ISO 50001 and OHSAS 18001 certification.  

EMAL, where commissioning began at the end of 2009, is the world's largest single-site primary aluminium smelter. The EMAL complex, housed on a 6 square kilometre site in Al Taweelah, Abu Dhabi, comprises a 1.3 million tpa smelter, a 3,100 MW power station, a large carbon plant, extensive casting operations (more than 1.8 million tpa), a water desalination plant, dock and other facilities. EMAL holds ISO 9001 accreditation and Nebosh certification in Occupational Health and Safety. 

The combined DUBAL-EMAL portfolio comprises high quality primary aluminium products in three main categories: high purity and foundry re-melt products (for electronics and aerospace and automotive applications respectively); rolled products (for packaging, lithographic sheets and the automotive industry); and billets for extrusion and forging (for construction, industrial, transportation and automotive purposes). Busbars and anode bars are also made for the electrolytic process used to produce primary aluminium from alumina ore. Over 350 customers are served in at least 68 countries, predominantly in Asia, Europe, the MENA region and the Americas. 

© Press Release 2015