Mark Cables Power Solutions LLC Abu Dhabi, a joint venture of Platinum Group, is progressing a project to construct an aluminum rod manufacturing plant in the “Aluminium Valley” section of the Khalifa Economic Zone Abu Dhabi (KEZAD). The company recently signed signed a non-binding agreement with Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA), in which EGA will supply the required 35,000 tonnes per year of aluminum to the proposed new plant from its adjacent Al Taweelah smelter.
“We look forward to the construction of Mark Cables Power Solutions’ new plant, and to a new customer for our metal in the UAE,” said Adel Abubakar, chief marketing officer, EGA. “EGA’s aluminum supply has spurred the development of the downstream aluminum sector in the UAE, creating jobs and economic opportunity across the country in line with Make it in the Emirates.”
Aluminum rods are used to make power cables. The new plant is expected to have a production capacity of 36,000 tonnes per year of various grades of aluminum rods, which will be supplied to existing Mark Cables factories in Dubai and Angola, as well as to third party customers in the UAE, Africa, and Europe.
“Regional and global demand for power cables is growing due to the expansion of electricity grids to support the development of renewable power generation and to enable further electrification in developing countries,” said Leoncie Mukundente, managing director of Mark Cables FZE. “Increasingly, aluminum is being substituted for copper in power cables, to lower costs while delivering the performance required. This new plant will help meet this growing global demand, while creating further value in the UAE from our nation’s aluminum production.”