The three-day Aluminium Dubai exhibition which opens tomorrow (March 29), has witnessed a 100 per cent growth over 2007, with 166 companies from 25 countries set to take part this year.

The growth in exhibiting companies and a 150 per cent increase in demand for exhibition space over the 2007 edition, reflect the massive planned increase in the region’s aluminium refining capacity and ongoing investments in the sector, said an organiser.

Organised by Reed Exhibitions Middle East, Aluminium Dubai will take place from March 29 to 31, and will span 6,000 sqm of exhibition space at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre (Dicec).

Over 40 per cent of exhibiting companies this year, will showcase midstream technologies such as aluminium extrusion, casting and heat treatment, while smelting, plant engineering, fabrication and other technologies make up the rest. 

'The aluminium sector is a critical focus area in the diversification drive of the region’s governments,' said Tarek Ali, show manager, Aluminium Dubai.

'However, despite the worldwide financial crisis impacting the overall investment climate, the region continues to demonstrate active interest in the aluminium sector.'

According to industry estimates, the Mena region is poised to emerge as the world’s largest aluminium producing region by 2018. Aluminium production in the region is expected to top 6.1 million tonnes by 2013.
 
The GCC currently accounts for four per cent of global aluminium production but this share is expected to go up to 10 per cent by 2010.
 
Currently, the Gulf's two operating smelters are Dubai Aluminum (Dubal), which produces about 900,000 tonnes of aluminium a year, and Aluminium Bahrain (Alba), with a capacity of 860,000 tonnes. Another 11 smelters are either under construction or in the planning stage in the Gulf.
 
The region currently constitutes 3.5 per cent of the total global demand for aluminium. This demand is expected to grow significantly with extrusion growing by 7.9 per cent per annum by 2020, while rolling products will register a growth of 8.3 per cent per annum with casting is set to grow 4.7 per cent.

Over 3000 visitors from more than 18 countries including Mexico, Canada, the US, Australia, India, the UAE and other Gulf countries are expected to attend the event this year.

Aluminium Dubai will also provide an opportunity for exhibitors to host live demonstrations of their products and technologies for heat-treatment, at a dedicated demo area within the exhibition hall.-TradeArabia News Service