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Aluminium ‘the key to growth’

01 December 2011

THE challenges facing the aluminium industry in the Middle East were discussed at a conference held in Muscat, Oman, last month (November 14 to 16).

Sheikh Saad ... aluminium focus.

The production of aluminium will be key to sustainable economic growth in the Middle East, Jacynthe Côté, chief executive officer of the world’s biggest aluminium company, Rio Tinto Alcan, said in her keynote address at Arabal 2011.

The annual gathering of aluminium smelter companies in the Arab world was hosted for the first time by Oman-based Sohar Aluminium.

'The Middle East clearly possesses an enviable platform upon which to build a world-class aluminium industry. But going forward we must demonstrate that we also have the vision and the will to capitalise on these strengths by creating the conditions necessary to sustain growth,' she said.

Omani Minister of Commerce and Industry, Sheikh Saad bin Mohammad Al Saadi said: 'There are currently five aluminium smelters in the Gulf region, which alone represent over $30 billion in capital and create 20,000 direct and 30,000 indirect jobs.'

Côté ... increasing production.

Oman’s contribution to the aluminium sector is the result of the sultanate’s strategy to diversify its sources of revenue with Sohar Aluminium being one of the fundamental projects, he said.

Côté also discussed the proposed expansion of the state-of-the-art Sohar Aluminium smelter, in which Rio Tinto Alcan is an equity partner and technology supplier. The smelter uses the firm’s benchmark AP 36 derivative – the most energy-efficient and environment-friendly reduction technology commercially available.

The theme of this year’s Arabal conference was 'Global Challenges for sustainable growth in the aluminium industry and the role of the Gulf smelters' – issues affecting regional and global manufacturers, downstream industries and suppliers. It attracted an estimated 400 delegates from over 30 countries.