Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C. (Alba), Bahrain, signed a contract with Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) to upgraded the technology for its Line 6 Expansion Project from EGA DX+ to the EGA DX+ Ultra. The upgrade to the DX+ Ultra technology will improve energy efficiency, which in turn will allow Alba to increase its metal production with no increase in overall energy consumption.
“We are very fortunate to have EGA as a partner in the Line 6 Project,” said Shawqi Al Hashimi, Alba director for Line 6 Smelter Project and Engineering. “The upgrade to DX+ Ultra Technology is a game changer that will allow Alba to increase output through the use of low energy consumption technology and further strengthen Alba’s position as a leading, low cost producer.”
The DX+ Ultra technology will enable Alba to boost its production to 540,000 metric tonnes per annum (mtpa), an increase of 26,000 mtpa versus prior projections. This will bring Alba’s total production capacity to approximately 1,500,000 mtpa The signing ceremony for the upgrade was held in Dubai on February 23, 2015 and was attended by Al Hashim, as well as Abdulla Kalban, MD & CEO of EGA; and Dr. Ali Al Zarouni, senior vice president, Jebel Ali Operations, Technology Development & Transfer, EGA
“Research and technology development have been hallmarks of EGA since the inception of our business,” said Al Zarouni. “We have dedicated considerable resources – both human intellect and financial investment – to these activities over the years. DX+ Ultra technology is the result of the latest efforts to develop lower CAPEX and lower energy, high amperage reduction cells.”
One of the biggest industrial projects in the Kingdom of Bahrain, Alba’s $3.5 billion Line 6 Expansion Project will make Alba the largest single site smelter in the world upon its completion. This project is expected to have a big impact on Bahrain’s economy as well as strengthen the Kingdom’s position as the hub for the downstream aluminium industry in the GCC. The project timeline remains on track with first hot metal scheduled for January 1st, 2019.
