Dubai Aluminium Company DUBAL, the seventh largest producer of premium quality aluminium in the world, hosted the 71st meeting of the International Aluminium Institute (IAI) Board of Directors, comprising CEOs of the world's major primary aluminium producers and worldwide aluminium association officials. The meeting was held for the first time in Dubai and the entire Middle East.
While on the first day of the three-day event, the IAI board of directors, global aluminium industry association leaders and senior officials had an extensive tour of the sprawling DUBAL smelter complex, on the remaining two days the meeting was held at the Al Qasr Hotel in Madinat Jumeirah in Dubai, focusing on the global industry growth, 'Aluminium for Future Generations' Sustainability Programme, PFC emissions, recycling and fuel efficiency.
Some of the global aluminium majors which sent their CEOs and senior executives to the event in Dubai include Organization of European Aluminium Refiners and Remelters (OEA), Aluminium Bahrain ALBA, Russian Aluminium JSC (Rusal-SUAL), Alcoa Inc, Alcan Inc, BHP Billiton Aluminium SA Ltd., Rio Tinto Aluminium, Aluminium Corporation of China (Chinalco), Elkem A/S, Glencore International AG, Mitsubishi Corporation, Mitsui & Co Ltd, Sumitomo Chemical Co Ltd., and aluminium associations from various countries.
'The choice of Dubai as the venue for the meeting of global heads in the aluminium industry is an affirmation of the leading status of the emirate and DUBAL's success seen in the past 27 years. In addition, the worldwide recognition of GCC region as a key location for future growth of the global aluminium sector,' said Mr. Abdulla Kalban, CEO of DUBAL.
According to IAI, the region's share of world aluminium production is expected to double over the next five years to 12 per cent. The region already has two major producers - Aluminium Bahrain BSC (ALBA) and DUBAL. Together, ALBA and DUBAL produce in excess of 1.6 million tonnes of metal per annum while at least four more plants are under construction or planned.
The Middle East has emerged as the most favored destination for aluminum producers seeking refuge from the higher energy costs rampant in Europe and North America. In the UAE alone two more major multi-billion dollar aluminium projects - Emirates Aluminium (EMAL) and Abu Dhabi Aluminium Company (AAC) - are coming up.
These are besides the major projects being planed in the region including Sohar Aluminium (325.000 TPA) and Qatalum (570,000 TPA) in Doha. Saudi Arabia recently approved construction of a US$3.8-billion 623,000-TPA smelter to be developed by state-owned mining company Maaden.
Moreover other global players are looking at the region for setting up projects or joint ventures. Canadian aluminium producer Alcan Primary Metal Group is prepared to spend US$3 billion in the short term to set up smelters. In the GCC region it is eyeing a 700,000 TPA plant in Saudi Arabia.
'Such major investments in the region by global majors will play a key role in greatly facilitating employment generation, leading to overall social development,' remarked Mr. Kalban.
Demand for world aluminium increased from 28 million tonnes in 1990 to over 40 million tonnes in 2006 and is estimated to rise to 65 million tonnes by 2020. Primary production grew by eight per cent in 2006 and in February 2007 global production reached the milestone of 100,000 tonnes per day for the first time.
The demand for aluminium products is growing because of their positive contribution to modern living. Some of the product areas where aluminium helps in operational efficiently include air, road and sea transport; food and medicine; packaging; construction; electronics and electrical power transmission.
Role of the IAI
The international Aluminium Institute Member companies collectively produce about 80 per cent of the world's primary aluminium. The meeting in Dubai provided the forum for the industry's leaders to
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