Emirates Aluminium (Emal) will host the Gulf Aluminium Council (GAC) exclusive second annual dinner on April 29 at the Emirates Palace hotel.

The event will provide a networking platform for the world’s top aluminium industry leaders, and help to continue the momentum of the Gulf’s establishment as a major metals hub in the global market, a statement from GAC said.
 
Dr Abdul Lateef Al Zayani, secretary general for GCC, will be the keynote speaker for the event, alongside Dr Klaus Kleinfeld, chairman and CEO of Alcoa; and Saeed Fadhel Al Mazrooei, president and CEO of Emal.

World aluminium demand is increasing by six per cent per annum. Representing 40 million tonnes of aluminium a year, demand is estimated to reach over 70 million tonnes by the year 2020, the statement said.

The ‘big five’ Gulf smelters - Alba, Dubal, Emal, Sohar and Qatalum – recorded significant developments and achievements last year, with 3.6 million tonnes of aluminium produced in 2011.

Gulf production is expected to increase to five million tonnes by the end of 2014, when the Emal Phase II expansion and other smelter projects are completed, it said.

Saeed Fadhel Al Mazrooei, president and CEO of Emal, said: “Almost 80 per cent of the aluminium produced in the Gulf is exported to different parts of the world, firmly placing it in a prominent position to meet both local and world demand. With production expected to increase from the current 750,000 tonnes to 1.3 million tonnes in less than three years, Emal is well placed to meet the growing demand.” – TradeArabia News Service