The region’s future role as the world’s powerhouse in aluminium and issues related to boosting the downstream sector will come to the fore at the fourth edition of Aluminium Middle East 2015 taking place in Dubai, UAE, next month.

Reed Exhibitions Middle East, the organiser of the event, expects a greater turnout than the one witnessed in 2013 with 180 exhibitors from 25 countries projected to participate in the region’s largest gathering of its kind.

Aluminium Middle East will be held from April 14 to 16 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Launched in 2009, Aluminium Middle East has become a must-attend platform for the industry’s international and regional front-runners including producers, manufacturers, processors of raw materials and end products made with aluminium components as well as suppliers of technologies and accessories for aluminium production, processing and refinement.

The event is recognised as an ideal platform for industry professionals to exchange knowledge, share best practice, discover new technologies, network and generate business opportunities.

Daniyal Qureshi, group exhibition director at Reed Exhibitions Middle East, said: “The exhibition plays an outstanding role in paving ways to forge alliances and build partnerships between smelters, energy resources and logistics industries, which in return helps the region to cement its position as a key world player in the aluminium industry. Aluminum Middle East has always demonstrated its ability to attract new comers as well as prove its ability to attract and retain high-profile participants. The participant survey in 2013 indicated that 98 per cent of exhibitors were satisfied with their participation and ROI (return on investment).”

The event promises multiple learning and networking opportunities. One of its features is BusinessConnect, where participants can get VIP access to the pre-event business matchmaking service to discuss business with the world’s leading suppliers and plan their visit to the show. Another key feature is the Innovation Podium, where participants can enrich their knowledge, learn from peers and share their experiences at free seminars conducted by industry experts.

Aluminium Middle East comes at a time of giant strides made by the aluminium industry in the region and when prospects for growth are huge. A Harbor Intelligence study reveals that total Gulf investments in the sector will soar to $55 billion by 2020 compared with $30 billion in 2010, thanks to new aluminum smelters and expansions. GCC governments are active in creating a sustainable business environment and attracting more international investors in the aluminium sector.

Aluminium production in the GCC states is expected to touch five million tonnes by the end of 2015. The Gulf Aluminium Council estimates that the aluminium industry in the region is growing by 8.4 per cent annually compared with an average growth of 3.7 per cent worldwide. The UAE accounts for more than 50 per cent of the Gulf’s aluminium production and continues to reinforce its share.

According to a Frost & Sullivan report, the region’s share in world aluminium output is set to increase to 15 per cent in 2015. As much as nine per cent of total global primary aluminium output will come from the Middle East by 2020 with about 60 per cent of capacity having been built since 2008 and around 57 per cent of new capacity being built through regional investments by global majors.