Alba is optimistic about more German participation in Bahrain’s manufacturing sector especially in the aluminium downstream cluster, the smelter’s Chairman Shaikh Daij bin Salman Al Khalifa has said.

During his keynote address at the 24th Arab-German Business Forum 2021 at the Ritz-Carlton Berlin in Germany, Shaikh Daij, said: “Bahrain is one of the most friendly countries in the Middle East and we look forward to see more German participation in Bahrain’s manufacturing sector especially in our aluminium downstream cluster as Alba’s Line 6 Expansion Project has added 540,000 metric tonnes per annum (mtpa) to Alba’s +1,000,000 mtpa built-in capacity.”

Emphasising the long-standing partnerships between German companies and Alba, the chairman said: “Over the last fifty years throughout Alba’s expansion projects, German companies have been our trusted partners on many fronts due to their renowned technological expertise. We are truly proud of the strong ties that we have developed together with our German associates over the years.”

Alba team poses for a photo at the Arab-German Business Forum

The event saw experts discuss ways to boost digitalisation and also highlighted how Industry 4.0 can drive diversification in the Middle East.

Alba’s Chief Executive Ali Al Baqali and Chief Marketing Officer Khalid Latif were key members of the panel discussions at the forum.

As a panelist on the ‘Digitalisation: How Industry 4.0 can drive Diversification in the Middle East’ discussion, Al Baqali gave a snapshot on Alba’s digital aspirations and referred to the company’s ‘Al Hassalah’ programme which aims to achieve $100 million in savings by end-2022.

“Digital transformation is part of Alba’s five-year strategy. We believe that the various digitisation projects - ongoing and the ones we plan to do in the near future - will progress our transition towards Industry 4.0 - in line with the Bahrain’s Economic Vision 2030,” he added.

Latif, who was part of the Panel Discussion on ‘Logistics and Transport: The Mobility and Connectivity Transition in the Arab World, said: “We know the global logistics issue is a challenge for many, but such challenges are not show-stoppers for us as we are fully committed to finding ways and means to delivering our metal to our clients on time, and wherever they are.”

ESG CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED

Meanwhile, at home, the company launched its second plant-wide Environment, Social, and Governance (ESG) Awareness campaign “Shaping Our Future”, last month.

Al Baqali kick-started this campaign with a virtual keynote that highlighted the company’s progress and adaptability in respect to ESG as well as the integration of Bahrain’s Economic Vision 2030 Objectives and UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into Alba’s five-year strategy.

Speaking on this occasion, Al Baqali said: “To anchor sustainability at the heart of Alba, we have linked ESG in every aspect of our operations; this was also underlined in our Mission on how to remain competitive while charting a path to greater economic and social well-being.

 “This Campaign is a progression of our first campaign ‘Achieving the Balance’ which was held in June 2021 through which we aim to address various topics to be the ESG change we want to see in the world.”

Concluding on November 4, 2021, the campaign will feature more than 20 informative sessions by employees from across the plant, delivered via a hybrid approach – virtual and in person – and touch upon numerous ESG topics, including Carbon Footprint, Cyber Security, Industry 4.0, Safety as a Social Responsibility, and Water Management among many others.

Correspondingly, as part of this campaign, Alba extended its green initiatives beyond its premises to plant more trees on the main roads around the smelter, thus joining the National Initiative for Agricultural Development (NIAD) “Forever Green” campaign being held under the patronage of HRH Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al-Khalifa, Wife of His Majesty the King and President of NIAD Consultative Council.