Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) today announced the conclusion of the design phase for its next generation smelting technology, EX. EGA plans to build ten pilot EX reduction cells at its aluminium smelter in Al Taweelah to conduct performance tests and validations. The goal is for EX to be fully operationalized by 2028.
EX reduction cells are larger than EGA’s recently industrialised DX+ Ultra technology, allowing for higher amperage and improved current efficiency. This upgrade is projected to increase production capacity by up to 22 percent.
EX has been developed in two variants – one prioritising productivity and another aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Anticipated benefits include decreased electricity and net carbon consumption, along with fewer anode effects. This could potentially cut greenhouse gas emissions per tonne of aluminium produced by approximately five percent for the more productive variant and around 12 percent for the lower energy variant.
DX+ Ultra currently stands as one of the most efficient smelting technologies in the global aluminium sector.
Abdulnasser bin Kalban, CEO of EGA, stated, “Technological advancement has been fundamental to our global competitiveness for decades. EX technology will facilitate higher aluminium production with reduced energy usage and emissions, opening avenues for EGA’s expansion and aiding us in meeting the growing global demand for low-carbon primary aluminium essential for achieving net zero by 2050.”
Innovations in EX technology design are expected to enhance pot performance by improving busbars, superstructures, and potshells, resulting in lower ambient temperatures and an improved working environment. EGA’s Technology Development Design team developed the new technology over an 18-month period. The pilot reduction cells are scheduled to commence operation in the first quarter of 2025.
For over 30 years, EGA has pioneered its own aluminium smelting technology in the UAE. The company has integrated this technology into every smelter expansion since the 1990s and has retrofitted all older production lines.
In 2016, EGA became the first UAE industrial firm to internationally license its core process technology. This was achieved through a partnership with Aluminium Bahrain, enabling the latter to utilise the technology in its Potline 6 expansion project.
