Emirates Aluminium (Emal), a leading single site aluminium smelter complex, recently held a symbolic ground breaking of its Phase Two development in the $4.5 billion expansion.

The ceremony marked the start of construction of the Al Taweelah smelter’s second phase, 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 metric tonnes by the end of 2014.

Phase One 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 Two will include the addition of a new potline and will result in the world’s longest ever single smelting line.

“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,” said Saeed Fadhel Al Mazrooei, president and CEO of Emal.

“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 endeavour with the construction of Phase Two,” Al Mazrooei continued.

“The lessons, experience, locally developed technologies, and exceptional achievements that have characterised this landmark project will ensure that we meet the increased international demand for aluminium by reaching full production of Phase Two by 2014,” he concluded. – TradeArabia News Service