Today's Edition
BATOOL GHAITH (ABU DHABI)
With companies now more conscious of their environmental impact, green metals are gaining traction - and Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) is well positioned to capture the demand.
EGA is the first company in the world to produce aluminium using solar power, manufacturing around 150,000 tonnes of its CelestiAL product every year, said Najm Alawadhi, Senior Director of Supplier Development, In-Country Value (ICV) and Responsible Sourcing.
The product is already finding its way into global supply chains. Automaker BMW, for example, now uses the metal in vehicle manufacturing, Alawadhi told Aletihad on the sidelines of this year's Make it in the Emirates in Abu Dhabi.
"Green metal is becoming more in demand as companies aim to reduce their carbon footprint," he said, adding that EGA is also exploring nuclear-powered energy and expanding its use of recycled aluminium to further cut emissions.
Recycling is also emerging as a key lever in scaling low-carbon aluminium supply. Alawadhi said the company sources aluminium scrap locally, and turns it into new material for industrial use.
Supporting this push, EGA has commissioned the UAE's largest aluminium recycling plant at its Al Taweelah facility, with capacity to process up to 185,000 tonnes of scrap annually.
"Recycling uses 95% less energy compared to conventional production, making it highly attractive to clients looking to reduce emissions," Alawadhi said.
The company is also expanding its recycling footprint internationally, with acquisitions in Germany, the US and Italy, as part of efforts to grow its portfolio of low-carbon aluminium.
Supporting the Local Economy
EGA is one of the first heavy industries in the UAE, which started as Dubai Aluminium in 1979, producing only a few hundred thousand tonnes of metal. Today, it manufactures about 2.7 million tonnes of primary aluminium annually.
Alawadhi said that growth has translated into clear economic impact - seen in both its output and local supply chain spending.
In 2025, EGA's combined direct, indirect, and induced economic impact exceeded $6.9 billion, supported more than 56,000 jobs, and made up about 1.3% of UAE GDP, according to the company.
"We contribute to the local economy by supplying metal to the UAE market and supporting industries such as construction, automotive and others, and also by procuring materials, services and equipment from local suppliers," Alawadhi said.
While the majority of EGA's production is exported, around 2.4 to 2.5 million tonnes annually, the company remains a key supplier to domestic industries.
"About 8 to 10% of our production is supplied locally, while the rest is exported to Southeast Asia, the US, Europe, and the Middle East," he added.
Beyond production, the EGA supports the UAE's industrialisation push through the In-Country Value (ICV) programme. Working closely with the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology, the company prioritises suppliers with higher ICV scores when it comes to procurement.
"We allocate a certain percentage in our evaluation to suppliers with ICV scores to support local businesses and increase local content," he said, noting that EGA channels around Dh2.7 billion into local procurement spending, roughly 40% of the total.
EGA sources several materials domestically, including aluminium fluoride and calcined petroleum coke. It also works with smaller UAE-based suppliers providing components such as valves and pumps.
Alongside supply chain localisation, EGA invested approximately $3 billion in an alumina refinery to secure 40% of its raw material requirements, one of the largest industrial investments in the sector, Alawadhi said.
"This refinery is now operational and, in the future, we may expand it further," he added.
