Emirates Aluminum Proceeding with $4.5-billion Phase II Expansion
The second phase of development at Emirates Aluminum's complex in Abu Dhabi, shown here, will cost $4.5-bil-lion and will double
the smelter's production capacity.
Emirates Aluminum reports it will proceed with Phase II of its operational development plan following approval by the company's board of directors of the $4.5-billlion investment. The Phase II project will entail construction of a new potline within the Emirates Aluminum complex at Al Taweelah, Abu Dhabi, and will double the smelter's production capacity to 1.3 million mt/y of aluminum metal. The new potline will comprise 444 reduction cells powered. On-site power plant capacity will be increased to 3,000 MW.
Emirates Aluminum is a joint venture between aluminum producer Dubai Aluminum (Dubal) and Mubadala Development Co. New generation DX+ reduction technology developed by Dubal will be incorporated into the new potline. Simultaneously, the technology installed in Phase I will be upgraded, a project that will increase the yield from the existing 756 cells (in two potlines) by 50,000 mt/y to 800,000 mt/y by the end of 2012. This will boost Emirates Aluminum's total production capacity to around 1.3 million mt/y by the end of 2014.
Emirates Aluminum energized the first pot of its existing smelter December 2, 2009. The smelter reached full capacity in early 2011. Products include aluminum sow, standard ingot, billet and sheet ingot.