Tuesday, Aug 16, 2011
Gulf News
Dubai Emirates Aluminium (Emal) has awarded more than $700 million in contracts as work begins on the expansion of the Al Taweelah smelter
Phase Two will almost double production capacity to 1.3 million metric tonnes. It will involve building the worlds longest ever smelting line covering 1.7km and make Emal one of the worlds largest single-site aluminium producers.
Ambitious plan
Saaed Fadhel Al Mazroui, President and CEO of Emal, said in a statement: The award of these contracts is an important step forward. The range of global suppliers applying to work with us shows that Emal is a major player in the industry. We have secured world-leading suppliers to ensure that Emal moves forward in line with our ambitious business plan.
Al Mazroui earlier told Gulf News 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 UAEs economy.
He said Emal currently supplies 280 customers in 36 countries and has created 2,000 jobs, with Emiratisation at the core of its employment strategy, which will rise to 3,000 upon completion of Phase Two.
The most significant contract has been signed with SLII (SNC Lavalin) to carry out engineering, procurement and construction management (EPCM) at the plant which is essential if Emal is to meet its target of achieving first hot metal in the first quarter of 2014.
The contract extends Emals relationship with SLII (SNC Lavalin) which provided the same support and services during Phase One of the smelters development.
The award of the contracts for long lead items packages is vital for Emal to meet the challenging timetable for Phase Two it recently announced.
Al Mazroui said the companys target is to achieve full production by 2014 depends on the successful execution of these contracts. We are confident that we have engaged the best partners with the best technology and will get the best outcome. The other successful companies in this round of contract awards are: Sojitz/Fuji, Transformers-Rectifiers Groups, Sojitz/Hyundai, 400 KV Intertie Transformer, ABB Switzerland, 220 KV GIS, Alstom Norway, Gas and Fume treatment centres, Outotec, Green Carbon Plant, Butts Crushing, Anode Rodding shop and Hot Bath Removal and Rio Tinto Alcan Pechiney, Anode Baking Furnace Technology.
New markets
Dr Mohammad Amerah, an Abu Dhabi-based economist, told Gulf News the expansion is good for the UAE economy.
The expansion of the facility means Emal would be able to penetrate new markets, in addition to being in a position to increase supplies to its existing markets. This would help increase its export revenues, which would flow back into the UAE economy, he said.
Staff Report
Gulf News 2011. All rights reserved.
