Aluminium Bahrain (Alba), the Bahrain-based aluminium smelter, said it has started the biggest furnace in its history with the first cold charge of Furnace 3 in its new Casthouse 4.

Part of Alba’s ambitious Line 6 Expansion Project (one of the largest brownfield developments in the region), Casthouse 4 has a total design value-added capacity of 530,000 tonnes per annum.

The first cold charge of Furnace 3 is a significant part of the process of commissioning Casthouse 4, which is set to produce soon, said the statement from Alba.

Alba’s chairman of the board of directors Shaikh Daij bin Salman bin Daij Al Khalifa witnessed the first cold charge at Casthouse 4, which was also attended by Alba deputy CEO Ali Al Baqali, Alba executive management team, Casthouse 4 start-up team, Bechtel and other major contractors.

Speaking on the occasion, Shaikh Daij said: "We are pleased with this milestone, which is another turning point in Alba’s journey towards becoming the largest smelter in the world."

"With this landmark, we are on track to cast final products from CH 4 - another success in the safe start-up of Line 6. I thank all teams for their commitment to achieve this milestone safely and on time," he added.

Alba, one of the largest and modern aluminium smelters in the world, is renowned for its premium grade aluminium products, technological strength and innovative policies, strict environmental guidelines and high track record for safety.

The company’s major shareholders are Bahrain Mumtalakat Holding Company (69.38 per cent), Sabic Industrial Investment Company (20.62 per cent) and the General Public (10 per cent)

Established in 1971 as a 120,000-tonnes-per-annum smelter, Alba today produces more than 981,000 tonnes per annum of the highest grade aluminium, with products including standard and T-ingots, extrusion billets, rolling slab, properzi ingots, and molten aluminium.

It is listed on both the Bahrain Bourse and London Stock Exchange.-TradeArabia News Service