Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA), the largest industrial company in the United Arab Emirates outside the oil and gas sector, has inaugurated what it says is the UAE’s largest aluminium recycling plant at its Al Taweelah site.

The company, the largest aluminium maker in the Middle East, said the plant has an annual production capacity of 185,000 tonnes, marking a milestone in its expansion of low-carbon aluminium production and supporting the development of the UAE’s circular economy.

The plant processes post-consumer aluminium scrap, together with some pre-consumer scrap, into low-carbon, high-quality aluminium billets and T-bars marketed under the RevivAL brand.

EGA also blends recycled metal with primary aluminium produced using solar power, marketed as CelestiAL-R, and with primary aluminium produced using nuclear power, sold as MinimAL-R.

Abdulnasser Bin Kalban, CEO of Emirates Global Aluminium, said: “The inauguration of Al Taweelah recycling plant is a major milestone in EGA’s development of a global aluminium recycling business. This new plant turns aluminium waste generated in the UAE and elsewhere into new aluminium that makes modern life possible around the world.

“With this project, we have added a new industrial activity to EGA’s operations in the UAE, in line with Make it in the Emirates and the UAE’s Operation 300bn industrial growth strategy.”

The plant began producing recycled aluminium in February. Final commissioning was temporarily paused following the Iranian attack on Khalifa Economic Zone Abu Dhabi on 28 March before resuming in April. Production of recycled cast metal restarted in early May, with full production expected within six months, subject to scrap availability.

The inauguration was attended by Dr Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, Dr Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, Secretary General of the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD), EGA Chairman Homaid Al Shimmari, EGA Vice Chairman Saeed Al Tayer, and members of EGA’s board and senior management team.

Dr Al Dahak said: “Aluminium represents one of our greatest opportunities to drive this transition from linear to circular model of production. It is infinitely recyclable, protecting our ecosystems while fuelling a sustainable, low-carbon economy.

“Recycling aluminium waste requires up to 95% less energy compared to producing new primary aluminium from raw ore, saving significant energy and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.”

With the Al Taweelah plant and a planned acquisition of an aluminium recycling facility in Italy, EGA’s recycling capacity has reached more than 400,000 tonnes per year across the UAE, Europe and the United States. The company is also developing a further 200,000 tonnes of recycling capacity in Europe and the United States.

In April, EGA announced its intention to acquire an 80% stake in Italian aluminium recycling company Eco Green. The acquisition remains subject to regulatory approvals.