TOP Gulf producers Alba and Dubal expressed satisfaction over their participation in the recently concluded Aluminium Middle East show in Dubai, saying it was a key forum to highlight the quality of their products and the markets over which they hold sway.

They also commended the Gulf’s growing competition to global aluminium production and its rising status as a hub for the metal.

The Alba stand was a platform to showcase the company’s portfolio of high-grade aluminium products, network with current and potential trade partners, and interact with industry peers to examine opportunities and challenges facing the industry, a statement from the company said.

Its acting chief finance and supply officer Ali Al Baqali commented: “As a regional pioneer owing to its status as the Middle East’s first ever aluminium smelter, Alba remains firmly committed to supporting any initiative that strengthens the region’s status as a growing hub for aluminium production. We are proud that in a space of just 40 years, the region is now in a position to corner 15 per cent of global production. Events such as Aluminium Middle East 2013 further underline the region’s status as a serious player in the industry and, at the same time, provide opportunity for engaging in negotiations with current and potential trade partners.”

Aluminium Middle East 2013 witnessed participation from over 165 exhibitors from 28 countries with more than 3,000 individuals attending the event held from April 23 to 25.

DUBAL OBJECTIVES
Dubal’s participation achieved the state-owned corporation’s objectives, said Walid Al Attar, executive vice president for marketing and sales. The exhibition provided a forum for showcasing Dubal’s strength as the largest primary aluminium producer in the Middle East. Highlighted was the fact that it is the largest single-site smelter in the world using pre-bake anode technology. The company also put in focus the rapidly-growing aluminium industry in the region to exhibitors and visitors, he added.

Over the course of the three-day event, representatives of Dubal’s marketing and sales, casting operations, smelter operations and supply departments met with existing customers and suppliers as well as potential business partners.

Dubal’s advanced, new generation DX+ Reduction Cell Technology was promoted at the show. Developed in-house, DX+ is well suited to the region’s arid climate. The technology has been extensively tested in a five-cell pilot line at Dubal’s Jebel Ali site since 2010 and its performance capabilities have been independently verified by industry experts. Based on these results, DX+ Technology has been licensed to Emal Phase II (444 cells, currently under construction) and has been selected for Alba’s Line 6 Bankable Feasibility Study.