Manufacturing

The last recorded cases of heat-related illness at EGA were in 2020. (Image source: EGA)

Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA), the UAE's largest industrial company outside the oil and gas sector, has announced achieving zero heat-related illnesses for the third consecutive summer.

Heat-related illnesses pose a significant risk for anyone working outdoors during the UAE's intense summer heat, with the potential to be life-threatening if not addressed promptly. EGA’s industrial operations, which generate additional heat, run continuously throughout the summer, requiring round-the-clock outdoor work.

EGA's 'Beat the Heat' programme, in place for over a decade, is a comprehensive, summer-long initiative designed to combat occupational heat stress. It focuses on raising awareness among employees about the early signs of heat-related illness and empowering them to take proactive measures to prevent its onset.

Stress prevention

EGA’s ‘Beat the Heat’ campaign incorporates several measures to prevent heat-related illnesses, including hydration tests conducted before and during shifts, regular breaks, and cooling showers. The programme also features cooling booths, drinking stations, icemakers, and portable air conditioning units installed throughout the production areas to ensure that both employees and contractors remain cool and comfortable during their work shifts.

Medical personnel from EGA’s on-site centres play an active role in heat stress prevention, working closely with employees and providing immediate treatment to anyone reporting early symptoms of heat stress.

Since 2022, EGA has partnered with US technology firm Kenzen to trial wearable technology that monitors key physiological indicators such as core body temperature and heart rate. This summer, 300 EGA employees used these devices, which provide real-time feedback to both the wearer and EGA’s safety team, allowing for the detection of early heat stress signs before they are physically felt.

The last recorded cases of heat-related illness at EGA were in 2020 when two employees required treatment. Both individuals received intravenous hydration and fully recovered within hours.

Abdulnasser Bin Kalban, CEO of EGA, said, “Our success in completely preventing heat-related illness on our sites for the third year in a row proves that this key hazard for outdoor workers in region can be overcome. Occupational heat stress remains a serious challenge in our region and beyond, and we believe our experience has important lessons for everyone employing people to work outside.”

TME is excited to announce the addition of MICROTEST products to its catalogue, offering state-of-the-art solutions for testing equipment and circuits.

MICROTEST, a Taiwanese company established in 1993, has earned a strong reputation across multiple markets.

The brand’s devices are tailored for industrial production lines, quality assurance, research and development departments, and measurement laboratories.

This partnership highlights the availability of high-performance LCR meters, impedance analyzers, and safety testers, with plans to expand the product range further.

LCR meters and impedance analysers

LCR meters and impedance analyzers from MICROTEST are available in various versions distinguished primarily by their frequency range, which spans from 10 Hz to 1...50 MHz (depending on the model) with basic accuracy up to ±0.05%.

They are stationary devices designed for professional applications in laboratories and electronic circuit manufacturing.

To support such use, the LCR meters feature several functionalities that enhance their operation: automatic level control (ALC), connectivity to computers and data analysis software (via RS232, GPIB, LAN, or USB interfaces), and the ability to measure resistance and inductance simultaneously.

It can simultaneously test up to four parameters of a component and it’s also worth noting that the measurement time can be as short as less than 3 ms.

The 6632 series impedance analyzers share similar characteristics with built-in DC Bias voltage ±12V. A key feature is the optional Equivalent Circuit Analysis, enabling designers to simulate circuit components before selection.

Their capabilities include testing admittance, Q factor, phase angle θ, conductance, permeability, reactance, susceptance, loss factor D, relative permittivity and, naturally, inductance, impedance, DCR (DC resistance), and equivalent series resistance (ESR).

All these functions are accessible via a user-friendly interface (the units are equipped with 7-inch colour displays). Measurements can be performed in series or parallel, with cable length compensation (0...2 m).

Safety testers

High-voltage safety testers (also known as HiPot Testers) are used to test the insulation of various electrical equipment and circuits by checking the dielectric strength of coatings and other components intended for the protection of users, and in this way making sure that the design of equipment, installations and components is safe.

The MCT-7630/7631 models from MICROTEST are testers designed for industrial and laboratory testing. Depending on the model, they offer 1 or 8 channels, take measurements up to 5000 V AC and 6000 V DC (with measuring voltage range of 10...1000 V DC) and support insulation resistance measurements up to 12 GΩ.

Their functionalities also include True RMS value measurement, arcing detection (transients detection), a number of manual and automated tests with adjustable ramp time (from 0.1 s to 10 s) and measuring time from 0.1 s to 999 s. Similarly to the devices described above, these testers can be operated remotely (via digital interfaces), as well as locally (with an optional control pedal).

The facility aligns with the UAE’s “Make it in the Emirates” initiative. (Image source: Schneider Electric)

Arab Development Establishment (ADE) and Schneider Electric have officially launched their joint venture manufacturing facility, TAQANA Energy Solutions, in Abu Dhabi.

Situated in the Industrial City of Abu Dhabi (ICAD), the new facility was inaugurated by His Excellency Omar Al Suwaidi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology, alongside key officials, including ADE’s Yousef Mohamad Al Nowais, and senior representatives from Schneider Electric. Notable attendees included Walid Sheta, President of Schneider Electric’s MEA Zone, and Mahmoud Nader, CEO of TAQANA Energy Solutions.

The facility aligns with the UAE’s “Make it in the Emirates” initiative and supports the Abu Dhabi Industrial Strategy (ADIS) to position Abu Dhabi as the region’s leading industrial hub. With objectives like doubling the sector's value to US$48bn by 2031, creating over 13,000 skilled jobs, and boosting international trade, this launch reinforces the UAE's drive to strengthen local industries and global partnerships.

Notable statements 

HE Al Suwaidi said, “Public-private-partnerships, especially those that focus on knowledge transfers and technology adoption, are in line with the National Industry and Advanced Technology Strategy, through its contribution to investment across the country. Also, such partnerships solidifies the UAE’s position as a global and regional industrial hub. The collaboration reinforces the country’s status as a competitive and reliable regional and international industrial hub. This project also comes as part of the ongoing cooperation between UAE-based and French companies under the umbrella of the UAE-France Business Council, established to promote business partnerships and launch projects in priority sectors, contributing to sustainable economic development.”

Yousef Mohamed Al Nowais, chairman and managing director, Arab Development Establishment, said, “With the launch of the TAQANA Energy Solutions factory, we are not only supporting the UAE’s industrial sector but also advancing sustainable solutions that are crucial to the future of energy management. Together with Schneider Electric, we are proud to be part of the UAE’s vision for local production, positioning the nation as a leader in the global energy transition.”

Amel Chadli, president of Gulf countries, Schneider Electric, commented, “We are not just manufacturing energy solutions; we are engineering the future of sustainable energy in the UAE and beyond...This milestone highlights Schneider Electric’s unwavering commitment to the UAE, as we support the rapid transformation of the nation’s manufacturing sector and remain dedicated to driving sustainable solutions.”

Mohammed Ali Al Kamali, chief trade and industry officer, ADIO, said, “ By integrating advanced manufacturing technologies and creating high-skilled, knowledge-based jobs, TAQANA is contributing to a robust industrial ecosystem and accelerating our vision of a resilient, diversified economy that sets a new standard for industrial excellence across the region.”

The machine is equipped with a three-ply, heavy-duty fines belt. (Image source: MDS)

MDS, a manufacturer of specialist screening equipment, has introduced the SCRAPMASTER 400, a powerful new machine tailored to the demands of the scrap and metals recycling industry.

This latest model builds on the robust foundation of the successful M412, which was designed for screening a range of materials, from lightweight substances to heavy demolition waste. After extensive research and customer consultations, MDS has refined the platform to create an ideal solution for scrap metal screening.

The SCRAPMASTER 400 is engineered for heavy-duty scrap processing, featuring a durable, wear-resistant push feeder built to handle abrasive materials, a rugged drum frame with customisable screen options from 25 to 150mm (1–6 inches), and an apron-style conveyor on the oversize material output, enhancing durability specifically for scrap applications.

The machine is equipped with a three-ply, heavy-duty fines belt for added strength, along with auto-reverse functionality and adjustable drum rotation speeds to meet varied processing needs.

Conor Hegarty, general manager MDS, said, “Up until now, many customers have had to rely on traditional recycling trommels or scalpers for the scrap and metal recycling segment, which often lacked the durability required for processing metals. MDS identified the need for a machine specifically dedicated to handling the toughest of tasks.

“MDS products excel in the toughest applications, and we have leveraged our existing heavy-duty technology to produce a machine that improves scrap processing efficiency and reliability. The addition of the SCRAPMASTER 400 to the MDS product range underlines our position as leaders in specialty screening applications.”