In a landmark collaboration to strengthen Bahrain’s industrial ecosystem, Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C. (Alba), the world’s largest aluminium smelter on one site, has signed a 2-year agreement with Gulf Aluminium Rolling Mill Company (GARMCO), one of the largest downstream aluminium facilities in the region, to boost the technical capabilities of GARMCO’s Bahraini employees.

Under this agreement, a select group of GARMCO technical staff will join Alba on part-time secondment, where they will gain hands-on, practical training at Alba’s world-class facilities as well as on-the-job exposure across its operations. This collaboration will equip them with essential skills in hydraulic and pneumatic systems, reinforcing their technical foundation and accelerating their career development at GARMCO.

What makes this collaboration truly special is its “Bahrainis training Bahrainis” approach -- a testament to Alba’s commitment to nurturing local talent and fostering knowledge-sharing within the Kingdom. By leveraging Alba’s decades of expertise, this partnership ensures that Bahrainis remain at the forefront of innovation and technical excellence.

Commenting on the agreement, Alba’s Chief Executive Officer, Ali Al Baqali, said:

“Knowledge-sharing is the foundation of progress. By opening our facilities and training GARMCO’s employees, we are fostering a culture of learning that benefits the entire aluminium industry in Bahrain. This is Bahrainis supporting Bahrainis for a stronger tomorrow."

Commenting on this collaboration, GARMCO Chief Executive Officer, Mohammed Rafea, stated:

“At GARMCO, we believe investing in our people is key to sustainable growth. This collaboration with Alba gives our technical staff valuable hands-on experience and sharpens their technical skills. Together, we are committed to developing a highly skilled, future-ready Bahraini workforce.”

This strategic collaboration between Alba and GARMCO is a national effort to empower Bahrainis, strengthen industrial ties and ensure long-term sustainability through human capital development. 

About Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C. (Alba)

[Ticker: ALBH]

A Global Aluminium Leader: At plus-1.62 million metric tonnes per annum (mtpa) (2024), Alba is a world-leading aluminium smelter with a proud 50-year legacy in operational excellence, safety, environmental responsibility, and community development.

Trusted Partner: A cornerstone of the Bahrain’s economy, Alba produces high-quality aluminium, including standard and value-added products, which are exported to over 280 customers globally. With sales’ offices in Europe (Zurich), Asia (Singapore), and a subsidiary in the U.S., Alba is a reliable partner on the world stage. Alba is dually listed on Bahrain Bourse and London Stock Exchange and its shareholders are Bahrain Mumtalakat Holding Company B.S.C. © (69.38%), Saudi Arabian Mining Company (Ma'aden) (20.62%) and General Public (10%). Alba prioritises the highest quality standards, reflected in its certifications: ISO 9001 (quality), ISO 14001 (environment), ISO 27001 (information security), ISO 45001 (occupational health and safety), and ISO 18788 (security operations management). Additionally, Alba demonstrates its commitment to responsible manufacturing through certifications like IATF 16949 (automotive quality), ISO 22301 (business continuity management), ASI Performance and Chain of Custody Standards, and a top 1% Platinum sustainability rating from EcoVadis.

Pioneering Sustainability: As the first aluminium smelter in the Middle East, Alba is central to Bahrain's thriving downstream aluminium sector, contributing significantly to the Kingdom's GDP. Committed to social responsibility, Alba employs a workforce that is 87% Bahrainis (2024) and invests heavily in employee training and development. Alba also plays a crucial role in the Aluminium Downstream Park, therefore increasing the contribution of non-oil sectors to the GDP of Bahrain. Alba has been recognised for its initiatives to produce Aluminium responsibly through awards such as Top ESG performer in Bahrain by ESG Invest, Safeguard Label from Bureau Veritas and Best Corporate Governance Award by Ethical Boardroom.

Recognised for its environmental practices, social contributions, and corporate governance, Alba launched a comprehensive ESG Roadmap in 2022 focusing on 6 priority areas: (1) Decarbonisation, (2) Green Energy & Aluminium, (3) Circular Economy & Secondary Aluminium, (4) Employee Welfare, (5) Collaboration & Partnership and (6) Transparency, Communications & Due Diligence. Since its inception, Alba has invested into numerous environment, sustainable and socio-economic development projects that have had a positive impact on the society. Alba’s first-of-its-kind US$37.5 million zero-waste Spent Pot Lining Treatment Plant, Power Station 5 Block 4 Project, and the upcoming +6 MW Solar Farm Project are tangible initiatives aligned with Bahrain’s Net Zero Carbon Targets by 2060 led by HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Bahrain. Specifically, Alba's PS5 Block 4 is a new 680.9-megawatt (MW) combined-cycle power plant that expands the existing PS5 facility. Block 4 has increased the nameplate capacity of PS5 Complex from 1,800 MW to 2,481 MW and is reducing the Company’s overall GHG emissions intensity ratio by 0.5 tonnes of CO2 per 1 tonne of aluminium produced.

In a significant step towards its ESG goals, particularly its commitment to a circular economy and secondary aluminium, Alba introduced EternAlTM, its new line of low-carbon aluminium products. Launched in May 2024, EternAl offers two product series with multiple variations to meet diverse customer needs: one featuring recycled content, and the other integrating verified in-house carbon offsets.

Safety First, Always: Guided by the motto "Safety First, Safety Always," Alba prioritises the well-being of its employees and contractors. The Company achieved a record-breaking 41 million safe working hours without a lost-time injury in November 2025. The Company has been recognised internationally for its excellent Safety and Health track record with awards such as the RoSPA’s Lifetime President and President Awards (10+ Gold Medal Awards), the British Safety Council’s International Safety Award with Merit along with 5-Star Audit Rating, as well as numerous awards from the National Safety Council (NSC).

Alba Stakeholder Engagement Plan

Alba prioritises open communication with all its stakeholders, including the community, environmental and social groups. Through its Stakeholder Engagement Plan, the Company proactively addresses environmental and social impacts of its operations, outlining clear mitigation controls. Alba also maintains an external Grievance Mechanism accessible through the Code of Conduct, allowing stakeholders and the public to voice concerns and raise issues.

Alba’s External Grievance Mechanism

Alba prioritises ethical conduct and environmental responsibility. Stakeholders, employees, contractors, and the community can confidentially report any potential breaches of Alba's Code of Conduct or raise concerns about environmental and social impacts through the Alba Integrity Line. This independent, multilingual hotline operates 24/7 and is accessible via a toll-free phone number, the company intranet, or the website at www.albasmelter.com.

For further details, please contact:
Eline Hilal
Director Investor Relations and Insurance
E-mail:     eline.hilal@alba.com.bh
Website: www.albasmelter.com

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About Gulf Aluminium Rolling Mill (GARMCO)

GARMCO was formed in 1981 as the first fully dedicated downstream aluminium facility in the Middle East. Today, it ranks as one of the prominent manufacturers of flat-rolled aluminium products and is recognised for being one of the leading proponents of eco-friendly processes and praised for its consistent commitment to sustainability.

With its headquarters and manufacturing plant based in Bahrain, GARMCO serves the needs of over 2,000 customers in more than 45 countries through a network of offices located in Europe Singapore, Thailand, USA and Vietnam, GARMCO's global presence 15 further facilitated by being based in a country like Bahrain, which offers easy connectivity by air, land and sea to markets in Asia, Africa, Australia, Europe and North America.

The company boasts a production capacity of 165,000 tonnes per annum. GARMCO manufactures five different types of products with their own set of specifications and uses. The product range includes coils and sheets in 1xxx, 3xxx, 5xxx and 8xxx series alloys for applications available in a range of alloys and tempers perfectly suited to customer preferences and to the satisfaction of their end user.

GARMCO maintains the highest quality standards keeping in mind product excellence, operational safety and environmental regulations. Having earned global recognition for processes that adhere to best practices, as well as praised for the relentless pursuit of quality at all operational levels, GARMCO has succeeded in exceeding customer expectations through intentional industrial standards such as AA, ASTM, EN, AUST and many others.

More details: https://www.garmco.com