A group of aluminium producers in the Gulf region has unveiled plans to set up an organisation to promote and represent the interests of the growing aluminium smelting industry in the region.

The members of the new Gulf Aluminium Council are Dubai Aluminium Company (Dubal), Aluminium Bahrain (Alba), Emirates Aluminium (Emal), Qatar Aluminium (Qatalum), Saudi Arabian Mining Company (Ma'aden) and Sohar Aluminium.

"The output of primary aluminium from the Gulf states has doubled to 1.8 million tonnes since 2000, and is projected to quadruple to more than 12 per cent of global output by 2020," the Gulf Aluminium Council said in a statement on Friday.

"It is vital that, as our industry expands and becomes a major player on the worldwide stage, that we ensure that the aluminium industry in the Gulf leads the way in every aspect of how we do business," the statement said.

The Gulf Aluminium Council is being set up with the support and assistance of the Aluminium Federation, the UK Trade association for the aluminium industry.