Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) collaborated with Emirates Nuclear Energy Company (ENEC) to deliver the UAE’s first batch of low-carbon aluminum using electricity generated at the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant in the Al Dhafra region of Abu Dhabi. EGA is marketing this type of low-carbon aluminum under the product brand MinimAL.
“Global demand for low carbon aluminum is expected to triple by 2040, and EGA aims to play an important role in this growth,” said Abdulnasser Bin Kalban, CEO of EGA. “MinimAL is our latest low-carbon product, made possible through the UAE’s investment in nuclear power generation. We are glad to be working with ENEC to supply more low carbon aluminium to the world.”
The first batch of MinimAL was delivered to CANEX Aluminum, Egypt’s leading aluminum downstream producer. The extruder manufactures profiles for infrastructure, solar energy, transportation, and architectural applications.
“At CANEX, we believe true sustainability is built into every layer of production—from the raw material to the final product,” said Mutassem Daaboul, managing director of CANEX Aluminum. “Our upcycling model already transforms waste into value-added products. Now, with MinimAL, we are taking another step forward by reducing embedded emissions at the very beginning of our process. This partnership with EGA reflects our shared commitment to responsible innovation.”
EGA’s new MinimAL product positions the UAE as a reliable supplier of low-carbon industrial materials to global markets. It also expands the company’s low-carbon metal portfolio for our local and global customers.
Nuclear Energy
Generating the electricity required for aluminum smelting and production accounts for around 60% of the global aluminum industry’s greenhouse gas emissions. ENEC’s Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant provides access to abundant clean electricity from nuclear energy, which is essential for decarbonizing the UAE’s industrial sector.
The Barakah plant generates 40 TW hours of clean electricity annually, which is around 25% of the UAE’s electricity needs, and equivalent to the annual total power demand of Switzerland. Carbon-free electricity from Barakah avoids 22.4 million tons of carbon emissions each year, equivalent to removing 4.8 million cars from the road.
“This milestone shows how nuclear energy is boosting national energy security and enabling the UAE’s industrial decarbonization in parallel, reliably powering energy-intensive sectors like aluminum production with clean electricity 24/7,” noted His Excellency Mohamed Al Hammadi, managing director and CEO of ENEC. “Through the abundant electricity generated at Barakah, we have unlocked the significant, proven and long-term benefits of nuclear energy to power the UAE’s low-carbon economy for decades to come.”
The clean electricity produced at Barakah is certified through the UAE’s Clean Energy Certification program using International REC Standard (I-REC) protocols to ensure traceability and credibility. The power is supplied through Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC) via the national grid.