French Ambassador attends ceremony to witness installation of first pot tending machine

Abu Dhabi, 2 April, 2013: Emirates Aluminium (EMAL) and ECL France joined together and celebrated the installation of the first Pot Tending Machine (PTM) for the project's Phase II expansion.  The PTM is one of fifteen such machines that will operate on the new potline at EMAL, which, once completed, will be the longest single potline in the world at 1.7 km.

This momentous occasion was attended by the French Ambassador to the UAE, S.E. Alain Azouaou, which was hosted at EMAL site by the company's President and CEO, Saeed Fadhel Al Mazrooei and VPP Mr. Yousuf Bastaki accompanied by ECL's President and CEO, Frédéric Mey. At the ceremony, they witnessed the first PTM installed in Phase II expansion. The PTM is designed to increase performance in terms of; safety, productivity and reliability as well as reducing environmental impact. The machine also has complete wireless controls that allow the operators to handle almost 100% of the crane function in the pot room such as; Anode changing, dressing, and beam rising as well as metal tapping amongst other potroom activities.

Commenting on this occasion, Al Mazrooei said: "This ceremony represents another milestone achievement and another step closer in the expansion programme. It reflects our commitment to invest in the latest technologies and ECL has proven the professionalism required by EMAL in this regards; today's ceremony is a celebration of success."

Commenting on this occasion, S.E. Alain Azouaou said: "Both France and the UAE create some of the best and brightest collaborations. Together, we are sharing a passion to create the future and work with those who are creating the future. French-UAE partnership is very solid and is growing stronger every year, as they both share a strong common commitment to research and innovation"

Commenting on the ceremony, Mr Mey said: "ECL is honoured to be part of this major milestone in EMAL's expansion plan.  We share a commitment to delivering high quality and enhanced efficiency and have built a strong partnership with EMAL, which we aim to strengthen by continuing to provide them with the best solutions and service."

As part of the Phase II development, ECL has supplied EMAL with equipment for the potroom comprising of 15 PTMs, 2 transfer Gantries, 1 cathode transport crane, 2 lifting beams, 16200 anode clamps and pair of J-hooks for activities connected with the operation of reduction cell.  

EMAL's Vice President - Projects, Yousuf Bastaki, said: "Our partnership with ECL started with Phase I development and has been an example of successful partnership. ECL has been a key supplier since our establishment and contributed to our achievements through both their equipment and dedicated service team.  We look forward to this relationship continuing as EMAL develops in the future. We continue to leverage on such relationship to build and develop local talents, which on this occasion has seen one of our lady local engineers (Ms Inaam Al Marzouqi) manage all the coordination work."

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About ECL France:
ECL is a global provider of aluminium smelter technology. Apart from designing, manufacturing and installing equipment in smelters for the aluminium industry, ECL also delivers solutions to assist its customers at every step of the project and at every milestone in the equipment's life cycle. The company has equipped more than 150 plants with ECL machines across 6 continents in 60 years.

EMAL is a state-of-the-art aluminium smelter complex supplying the world with high quality metal. The advanced smelter in Al Taweelah currently uses DX Reduction Cell Technology to produce 800,000 tonnes of aluminium annually. This will increase to 1.3 metric million tonnes by the end of 2014 upon completion of Phase II and the installation of the new generation DX+ Reduction Cell Technology to an additional 444 reduction cells, making it one of the largest single site smelters in the world. Early works on the estimated US$4.5 billion Phase II expansion began in early 2011, making EMAL one of the largest industrial projects in the UAE outside oil and gas and one of the key projects leading to the diversification of the UAE's economy.

EMAL currently supplies over 150 customers around the globe with high quality ISO9001 certified aluminium which is available as sow, standard ingots, sheet ingots, foundry ingots and extrusion billets. Sow and standard ingots are traded on the London Metal Exchange. An advanced infrastructure at the Al Taweelah site provides customers with reliable and sustainable production and distribution. The site currently includes a 2,000 MW power plant, which will increase to approximately 3,000 MW by 2014, a carbon plant and a flexible cast house with the capacity to produce 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.

EMAL has created 2,000 jobs with Emiratization at the core of its employment strategy, which will rise to approximately 3,000 upon completion of Phase II. The company has introduced extensive programs such as Scholarships, Graduate training and Pre-employment courses to provide opportunities for Emiratis and prepare them to hold prominent position.

EMAL uses sustainable technologies to reduce emissions in line with Environment Agency Abu Dhabi requirements to minimise its carbon footprint and is consistently engaged with its surrounding community through providing social, sports and cultural support.

For further Information, please contact:
Sahar Farhat- Emirates Aluminium
Tel: 050 12 13 420
Email: s.farhat@emal.ae

Nick Langmead, Impact Porter Novelli
Tel: 050 884 7964
Email: n.langmead@ipn.ae

© Press Release 2013