Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA), the world’s largest producer of premium aluminium, and Sunstone, the world’s largest independent pre-baked anode producer, have announced that construction of a new anode manufacturing plant in the UAE will commence in 2026.
The facility will have an annual production capacity of 300,000 tonnes of anodes, marking a significant step towards the UAE’s industrial ambitions under the Make it in the Emirates and Operation 300bn strategies. Once operational, the plant will replace the majority of EGA’s current anode imports and position the UAE among a select group of countries capable of exporting anodes globally. First anode production is anticipated as early as 2028.
EGA and Sunstone formalised the project through a Joint Venture Agreement, with EGA holding a 45 per cent stake and Sunstone 55 per cent. The partners plan to invest approximately US$300 million, proportionate to their respective shareholdings, to develop the new plant. Sunstone will be responsible for building the facility on behalf of the joint venture, with EGA acting as a financial investor and off-taker.
New UAE facility
Anodes are a critical input in aluminium smelting. EGA currently produces around 1.35 million tonnes of anodes annually at its Jebel Ali and Al Taweelah plants, with the remainder of its requirements sourced through imports. The new UAE-based facility will significantly strengthen EGA’s long-term security of supply while supporting domestic industrial growth and export potential.
Abdulnasser Bin Kalban, Chief Executive Officer of EGA, said, “This project creates additional export opportunities for the UAE, further increases EGA’s local procurement and our contribution to UAE economic growth, and supports EGA’s long-term security of anode supply. We are pleased to partner with Sunstone, combining our decades of anode manufacturing experience to establish their first plant outside China in the UAE. This project is Make it in the Emirates and Operation 300bn in action – leveraging UAE industrial demand to build new manufacturing in the UAE to meet local needs and expand exports.”
Lang Guanghui, Chairman of Sunstone, added, “We are honoured to establish our first overseas foothold in the UAE and partner with a benchmark enterprise like EGA, which carries half a century of industry heritage and a mission to shape the future of aluminium. This collaboration represents a substantive move by both parties to respond to the green transformation of global manufacturing. We will go all out to set new benchmarks in efficiency and lay a solid foundation for future sustainable operations.”
EGA and Sunstone have been collaborating through a series of early-stage agreements during project development, most recently signing a joint development agreement at the Make it in the Emirates Forum in May 2025, underscoring their commitment to advancing the UAE’s industrial and export capabilities.
EGA and Sunstone to build UAE anode plant
