Alumina production is expected to ramp-up to 50 per cent of plant capacity within days.

EGA expects to have the technical capability to ramp-up to full alumina production by the end of this year. The timing of further production ramp-up at Al Taweelah alumina refinery will be based on supply chain dynamics and the optimisation of EGA’s alumina sourcing strategy. The ramp-up of aluminium production at Al Taweelah smelter does not depend on full ramp-up at Al Taweelah alumina refinery.

Al Taweelah alumina refinery produced 2.4 million tonnes of alumina in 2025, and met 46 per cent of EGA’s alumina needs. Alumina is the feedstock for aluminium smelters.

Abdulnasser Bin Kalban, Chief Executive Officer of Emirates Global Aluminium, said: “First alumina production from Al Taweelah alumina refinery is another big milestone in our journey to restore EGA’s Al Taweelah site to its position as one of the most important aluminium production complexes in the world. The dedication and agility of the team at Al Taweelah alumina refinery has enabled us to reach this milestone safely and quickly.”

Production at Al Taweelah alumina refinery was suspended on 28 March after Iranian attacks on Khalifa Economic Zone Abu Dhabi. Al Taweelah alumina refinery began producing hydrate, the precursor product of alumina, on 24 June.

Al Taweelah alumina refinery is located next to Al Taweelah smelter. Alumina is transferred to storage and then into the smelter by a system of conveyor belts. Al Taweelah alumina refinery originally began production in 2019.

INOLA, OKLAHOMA, February. 24, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) – Local firm U.S. Aluminum Company has signed an agreement with EGA and Century Aluminum, the companies behind the planned primary aluminum production plant in Inola, Oklahoma, to explore the development of an aluminum fabrication plant near the new smelter. Click here to download photos of leaders from the three companies commemorating the agreement.

The project, named Oklahoma Primary Aluminum, is expected to double U.S. primary aluminum production and make Oklahoma a national center of aluminum-related manufacturing. U.S. Aluminum Company is the first downstream firm to sign an agreement with the project developers.

U.S. Aluminum Company’s goal is to build a plant near the smelter to turn liquid aluminum into products for the electrical, defense, aerospace, automotive and machinery industries. U.S. Aluminum Company was founded by the Plotkin Family of Oklahoma City, owners of leading aluminum fabrication company M-D Building Products, which has been a national leader in the hardware industry stretching back more than a century.

Ryan Plotkin, President and CEO of U.S. Aluminum Company, said: “The development of America’s largest and most advanced primary aluminum production plant right here in Oklahoma is a transformative industrial opportunity for our state and country. U.S. Aluminum Company intends to leverage the availability of Oklahoma-made metal to be the cornerstone aluminum processing facility in Inola, creating additional jobs and making strategic products for the many downstream industries we expect will grow around the new smelter as well as customers throughout America”

Abdulnasser Bin Kalban, Chief Executive Officer of EGA, said: “This project will help make Oklahoma – especially Inola – one of the top places in America to manufacture aluminum products, while creating thousands of new jobs for Oklahomans. We’re proud to sign our first downstream exploratory agreement before the smelter is even built, and even prouder that our first partner is an Oklahoma-based company. This is a strong signal that Oklahoma is ready to lead the future of aluminum manufacturing.”

Jesse Gary, Chief Executive Officer of Century Aluminum said: “By establishing an aluminum hub in Oklahoma, we are strengthening and shortening the supply chain for a critical metal that supports American industries. Today’s announcement highlights the multiplier effect of revitalizing domestic production—attracting new infrastructure investment and creating jobs in adjacent industries.”

Construction of Oklahoma Primary Aluminum is expected to begin by the end of 2026, with first primary aluminum production by the end of the decade. EGA and Century are developing the project in partnership, with EGA holding 60 percent and Century 40 percent. The plant will use EGA’s latest state-of-the-art EX technology, the most advanced ever installed in the United States.

EGA’s aluminium is the largest made-in-the-UAE export after oil and gas and is shipped to more than 50 countries. EGA produces around one in every 25 tonnes of aluminium made worldwide.

EGA began production as a small regional smelter in Jebel Ali in 1979, with an annual production capacity of just 135 thousand tonnes per year. EGA Jebel Ali has been expanded eight separate times since then. It took almost 30 years to produce the first 10 million tonnes of cast metal.

EGA’s Al Taweelah smelter in Abu Dhabi began production in 2009, and was the largest in the world when built.

EGA sold 2.74 million tonnes of cast metal in 2024.

Aluminium is an essential material for modern life, and EGA’s metal is used by billions of people worldwide everyday as part of everything from skyscrapers to smartphones. Aluminium is infinitely recyclable, meaning that metal produced today by EGA is likely to be in use for many generations to come.

Abdulnasser Bin Kalban, Chief Executive Officer of Emirates Global Aluminium, said today: “Together at EGA, we have innovated aluminium to make modern life possible since 1979. Reaching 50 million tonnes of cast metal production is a proud milestone, and an opportunity for us to reflect on the immense contribution this important UAE product has made to people’s lives worldwide.”

EGA is building the UAE’s largest aluminium recycling plant at Al Taweelah, with a capacity of 170,000 tonnes per year. The plant is expected to begin production during the first quarter of 2026.

EGA is also progressing plans to develop the first new primary aluminium production plant in the United States since 1980. The plant in Oklahoma will almost double American primary aluminium production, and is expected to reach first hot metal by the end of the decade.

The project installed a third ball mill at the alumina refinery, enhancing operational resilience and enabling future production growth at the UAE’s only alumina refinery.

Ball mills grind bauxite ore into fine particles that are then chemically processed into alumina. The new mill adds to two existing units already in operation at Al Taweelah, significantly reducing the risk of unplanned outages, improving the overall availability and supporting overall throughput.

The project was completed entirely by EGA in-house teams, from engineering design and project management through to construction and commissioning.  The construction phase was completed in under two and half years with more than 650,000 hours of work without a single Lost Time Injury.

Abdulnasser Bin Kalban, Chief Executive Officer of Emirates Global Aluminium, said: “This expansion is a key step forward for Al Taweelah alumina refinery, unlocking additional production capacity as we reorient our bauxite supply chain beyond Guinea. It further strengthens our operational resilience and unlocks capacity growth. I thank every member of the team who contributed to this success.”

Al Taweelah alumina refinery has consistently exceeded its nameplate capacity of 2 million tonnes of alumina per annum every year since its 2019 startup. Last year, Al Taweelah alumina refinery met 49 per cent of EGA’s total alumina requirements.

This initiative will create gallium extraction and refining capabilities at EGA’s alumina refinery in Abu Dhabi and make the UAE the world’s second largest producer of gallium.

Gallium has applications across many different sectors, including in the production of semiconductors, electric vehicles, medical devices and telecom infrastructure. For the defence industry, the supply of gallium is critical as it is a key component of defence products including advanced radars. This new agreement would secure access to this critical mineral for companies including RTX.

Tawazun Council is spearheading efforts through its Tawazun Economic Programme, a strategic initiative focused on attracting cutting-edge technologies, accelerating knowledge transfer, and building robust national industrial capabilities. This approach is vital to reinforcing the UAE’s industrial security posture, ensuring the country’s defence sector remains resilient and competitive amid global challenges.

H.E Dr. Nasser Humaid Al Nuaimi, Secretary-General of Tawazun Council, highlighted that the project aligns seamlessly with the Council’s new strategy 2025–2028, which prioritises building a competitive national industrial base and advancing cutting-edge infrastructure to ensure industrial and technological security. Central to this strategy is attracting high-quality investments, expanding strategic partnerships locally and internationally, and empowering Emirati talent.

He described the project as a pivotal milestone in developing the UAE’s vital industries, positioning the country as a global leader in gallium production — a rare metal essential for sectors including semiconductors, military radar, electric vehicles, medical technology, and telecommunications. Dr. Al Nuaimi emphasised its strategic role in strengthening production and export capacities while establishing an independent national supply base and cementing the UAE’s status as a forward-looking industrial hub globally.

“The aerospace and defence industry relies on stable access to rare earth elements,” said Paolo Dal Cin, senior vice president for operations and supply chain at RTX. “Today’s agreement puts us on a path towards a reliable supply of gallium, needed for production of critical aerospace and defence solutions.”

EGA and RTX anticipate entering into an agreement to conduct a feasibility study for a high purity gallium plant at EGA’s Al Taweelah alumina refinery, which processes bauxite ore into alumina, the feedstock for aluminium smelters. Gallium is found in trace amounts in bauxite. As gallium is an impurity in aluminium, gallium levels must be carefully managed in metal for the most demanding applications.

Abdulnasser Bin Kalban, Chief Executive Officer of Emirates Global Aluminium, said, “Gallium is an important metal for the most advanced electronics systems but remains commercially challenging to produce. This agreement between Tawazun Council, EGA, and RTX makes the development of a new source of gallium in the UAE feasible, creating an additional revenue stream for EGA and a new industrial capability for the UAE in line with our nation’s industrial growth strategy Operation 300bn. We look forward to making progress on this project with our partners.”

The green loan facility enables access to a larger liquidity pool to fund low-carbon projects while optimising the cost of borrowing.

EGA completed the acquisition of 80 per cent of Spectro Alloys in September 2024. Spectro Alloys is a leading secondary foundry alloy producer in Rosemount, Minnesota. The company has a production capacity of around 110 thousand tonnes per year of aluminium ingots.

The acquisition accelerated EGA’s global expansion into aluminium recycling and expanded EGA’s business in the United States, which is already one of EGA’s largest global markets.

Abdulnasser Bin Kalban, Chief Executive Officer of Emirates Global Aluminium, said: “Aluminium demand is expected to grow worldwide by up to 80 per cent by 2050. Recycled and low-carbon primary aluminium are expected to account for around 60 per cent of supply growth between now and 2030. Developing low-carbon projects, including a global business in recycling, is a key strategic priority for EGA to capitalise on market growth opportunities. The green loan facility to fund our acquisition of Spectro Alloys enables us to access a deeper pool of liquidity to finance projects that contribute to the transition to a low-carbon economy.”

Citi, ING and Standard Chartered acted as joint Green Loan Coordinators on the financing.

In June 2024, EGA published its Green Finance Framework to support decarbonisation projects and revealed the first green loan facility to fund the acquisition of European speciality foundry, Leichtmetall.

EGA was among the first in the region to open sustainable corporate bank accounts in 2022, which ensure cash balances are used to finance or refinance sustainability initiatives elsewhere in the economy. Over the past three years, EGA has deposited some $180 million in total in these accounts, maintaining an average cash balance of $25.5 million.

“Over the last several decades, we are proud to have built a long-standing and effective relationship with EGA America. As our agency arrangement concludes, we look forward to their continued success” said Matt Rohm, CEO of MX Holdings. “Concurrently, Metal Exchange is excited to pursue new supply change management opportunities and relationships.”

Jake Skelton, CEO of EGA America, said: “As the aluminum industry continues to evolve, so has our business. In partnership with Metal Exchange, EGA America has become one of the most important suppliers of aluminum billet, primary foundry alloy, purity, and slab in the North American market. We now look forward to developing EGA America much further as a trusted supplier for our great customers.  Our priorities include continued growth with a focus on customer experience from ordering to our metal’s end use, with our high-quality products and through enhanced services.”

-        Coalition members include EGA, Abu Dhabi Waste Management Company (Tadweer), Aujan Coca-Cola Beverages Company, Coca-Cola Al Ahlia Beverages Company, BEEAH Tandeef, Pepsi-bottler Dubai Refreshment, CANPACK, Crown Bevcan EMEA, DULSCO Group and Veolia.

United Arab Emirates, 15 January 2023: Emirates Global Aluminium, the largest industrial company in the United Arab Emirates outside oil and gas, and leading beverage producers, can-makers and waste management companies, today announced the launch of the Aluminium Recycling Coalition, which aims to drive a step-change in aluminium recycling in the UAE.

The coalition was launched at EGA in Al Taweelah in presence of His Excellency Abdullah Bin Touq Al Marri, UAE Minister of Economy, and Her Excellency Mariam bint Mohammed Saeed Hareb Almheiri, UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment.

Members of the coalition include EGA, Abu Dhabi Waste Management Company (Tadweer), Aujan Coca-Cola Beverages Company, Coca-Cola Al Ahlia Beverages Company, BEEAH Tandeef, Pepsi-bottler Dubai Refreshment, CANPACK, Crown Bevcan EMEA, DULSCO Group and Veolia.

Aluminium plays an essential role in the development of a more sustainable society. The metal’s properties are ideal to make everything from packaging to lightweight electric vehicles, and aluminium is infinitely-recyclable.

Around the world, aluminium is the most-recycled material, with more than three-quarters of the aluminium ever made still in use today.

The Aluminium Recycling Coalition aims to promote aluminium recycling by UAE consumers, particularly beverage cans - as millions of individual decisions every day on which bin to use drive collection rates.

As its first project, the coalition intends to support a study by the International Aluminium Institute on aluminium recycling rates and behaviours in the UAE, to fully understand the scale of the opportunity and potential solutions. The International Aluminium Institute is the global trade association for the aluminium industry, and is conducting similar studies around the world.

The coalition also expects to provide support to Government on aluminium recycling regulation and policies, and to work together to further the development of aluminium recycling infrastructure.

His Excellency Abdullah Bin Touq Al Marri, UAE Minister of Economy, said: “The Aluminium Recycling Coalition is led by Emirates Global Aluminium, the biggest ‘premium aluminium’ producer in the world and the heart of the broader aluminium sector in the UAE which generates over $5 billion annually in the national economy. It will enhance the UAE’s position as a global leader in international efforts towards green development, support our 2031 goals on the circular economy, and contribute to building a knowledge-based economy that is more resilient and competitive.”

Her Excellency Mariam bint Mohammed Saeed Hareb Almheiri, UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment, said: “Aluminium demand is expected to grow worldwide by between 50 per cent and 80 per cent by 2050, because of the key role of this infinitely recyclable material in achieving net zero. Cooperation throughout the value chain, such as the Aluminium Recycling Coalition, will speed the decarbonisation of our economy in line with the Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative. I wish EGA and the other members of the Aluminium Recycling Coalition every success in their collective endeavour.”

His Excellency Ali Al Dhaheri, Chief Executive Officer of Abu Dhabi Waste Management Centre (Tadweer), said: “We are delighted to be a partner of the Aluminium Recycling Coalition founded by EGA, and are excited to usher in the next era of aluminium recycling in the UAE through concentrated efforts. Recycling and circular economy are both key pillars of our country’s ambition towards prosperity. For us at Tadweer, this is also part of our commitment to support national platforms that support sustainability and raise awareness on the importance of recycling in the UAE.”

Abdulnasser Bin Kalban, Chief Executive Officer of Emirates Global Aluminium, said: “Recyclability is one reason aluminium is so important for human progress, but every day as a society we throw too much of this valuable metal away.  By championing the Aluminium Recycling Coalition, EGA aims to increase aluminium recycling rates in the UAE to the benefit of our society and economy. I thank all our partners for joining us in this initiative.”

EGA was the first Middle East headquartered company to join the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative, a global body that sets sustainability standards for the industry. EGA is a global aluminium industry leader in the re-use of by-products from its own operations.

Last year, EGA announced a project to build the UAE’s largest aluminium recycling facility.

Jason Schmidt, Chief Executive Officer, Aujan Coca-Cola Beverages Company, said: “At Aujan Coca-Cola Beverages Company, we are committed to our shared goals with The Coca-Cola Partner Company and together we believe that developing a circular economy is the most impactful way to address waste and climate issues created by packaging. That’s why we are championing the established World Without Waste program, our ambitious global sustainable packaging initiative focused on three key areas; Design, Collect and Partner. Our World Without Waste goals require collective action in partnership with a range of stakeholders at a global, regional and local level, and as such we are delighted to join the Aluminium Recycling Coalition. Through this partnership our aim is to work with a diverse group of organisations to strengthen recycling infrastructures, boost collection rates, and take action that supports a circular economy. We see this as a significant, positive initiative and are committed to our joint success. As a company we will weave this into our Value Proposition- drive awareness through our customers, shoppers and consumers and report on the regional wins as we create an active recycling culture in the aluminium space.

Rafael Sanjurjo Lopez, Chief Executive Officer, BEEAH Tandeef, said: “We are proud to collaborate with EGA’s Aluminium Recycling Coalition to accelerate net-zero initiatives for a faster decarbonisation journey. The aluminium industry has a great role to play to promote the circular economy of tomorrow, and we are excited to further leverage our sustainability actions with this programme.”

Malgorzata Podrecka, Group Legal, Sustainability & PR Officer, CANPACK, said: “CANPACK is delighted to join the prestigious Aluminium Recycling Coalition in the UAE as we believe it is only through collaboration that we will be able to achieve a lasting, positive, and meaningful impact on the environment and society.  By working together, we know we will be better able to tackle climate change, promote a circular economy, improve local communities, and ensure that the UAE’s aluminium industry is economically sustainable and here for the long-term. Put simply it is a fantastic opportunity to institute positive change across the country and to lead globally on sustainability-related issues.”

Mohamed Akeel, Chief Executive Officer, Coca-Cola Al Ahlia Beverages Company, said: “Signing today’s MoU and joining the UAE Aluminium Recycling Coalition is a great honour and affirmation of Coca-Cola’ concerted efforts to increase the use of recycled materials in packaging across its beverage portfolio. By joining key decision-makers, industry leaders, and advocates for aluminium recycling, we are confident that our global learnings and expertise will lead to sustainable and impactful change across the UAE, which aligns with our vision of raising awareness by working with local partners.”

Sandrine Duquerroy-Delesalle, Sustainability and External Affairs Director, Crown Bevcan EMEA, said: “We are proud to join in the Aluminium Recycling Coalition in the UAE, where Crown has a historical footprint and a market leader position in the supply of beverage cans in the region. As part of our Twentyby30 program, we are committed to increasing the recycling rates in the regions we operate, to keep our aluminium cans within the circular economy. One of the strongest sustainability credentials of aluminium is that it is infinitely recyclable, so we are excited to collaborate with other partners and develop projects to improve recycling of aluminium beverage cans.”

Tarek El Sakka, Chief Executive Officer, Dubai Refreshment, said: “Joining the UAE Aluminium Recycling Coalition is one of many steps we have taken across several initiatives in DRC to translate our commitment towards sustainability. Being in coalition helps all stakeholders in the industry to focus in solving issues related to waste & act as a catalyst to bring changes & achieve circular economy goals. We expect this coalition to be the link between industries involved & regulatory bodies where will work together to set the right framework that will facilitate achieving sustainability objectives within a business context.”

David Stockton, Chief Executive Officer, DULSCO Group, said: “We heavily prioritise recycling and have worked tirelessly to divert waste away from landfills through our Material Recovery Facility while promoting a local culture of recycling. We are proud to join the Aluminium Recycling Coalition, with the shared goal to encourage the recycling of aluminium - a metal utilised by all routinely in daily life, with the capacity to be recycled infinitely into products such as new car parts, aircraft skin, roofing materials, or back into new aluminium cans. Along with fellow members of the Coalition, we hope to work synergistically through the exchange of knowledge and facilities such as our MRF to accomplish our joint goal of environmental preservation, in line with the vision of the UAE.”

Pascal Grante, Chief Executive Officer, Veolia Near & Middle East, said: “Veolia Environmental Service Emirates are proud of the partnership relationship that has been developed over the last 4 years working with EGA. During this time, we have helped operate, manage, haulage and place over 9.9 million tonnes of Bauxite residue from the Al Taweelah alumina refinery to the engineered storage area. And now, for two years, VEOLIA launched RECAPP which is promoting segregation at the source of metal cans in addition to plastics. Through this new service, we have noticed that the percentage of aluminium cans recovered remains low compared to the sales volume of beverage cans in the UAE. Spreading awareness through education is essential to bridging this gap, and incentive schemes – such as RECAPP’s reward system – are an effective way to promote sustainability in communities. RECAPP and VEOLIA are proud to be part of the Aluminium Recycling Coalition and to work hand-in-hand to explore innovative solutions that can increase the collection and recycling of aluminium in the UAE.”