Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA), the world’s largest producer of premium aluminium, has announced that it has reached a major milestone of 50 million tonnes of cast metal produced since operations began in 1979.

Aluminium from EGA is the UAE’s biggest export after oil and gas and is supplied to more than 50 countries. Today, the company produces roughly one in every 25 tonnes of aluminium made worldwide.

EGA’s journey began as a small regional smelter in Jebel Ali, with an annual capacity of just 135 thousand tonnes when production started in 1979. The Jebel Ali site has since undergone eight major expansions. It took nearly three decades for EGA to achieve its first 10 million tonnes of cast metal.

Production scaled significantly with the launch of the Al Taweelah smelter in Abu Dhabi in 2009, which was the largest in the world at the time it was built. In 2024 alone, EGA sold 2.74 million tonnes of cast metal.

Aluminium plays a vital role in modern life, forming part of everything from skyscrapers and transport to consumer electronics. As the metal is infinitely recyclable, much of what EGA produces today will remain in use for generations.

Abdulnasser Bin Kalban, Chief Executive Officer of Emirates Global Aluminium, said, “Together at EGA, we have innovated aluminium to make modern life possible since 1979. Reaching 50 million tonnes of cast metal production is a proud milestone, and an opportunity for us to reflect on the immense contribution this important UAE product has made to people’s lives worldwide.”

Looking ahead, EGA is developing the UAE’s largest aluminium recycling plant at Al Taweelah, which will have the capacity to process 170 thousand tonnes annually when it comes online in the first quarter of 2026.

The company is also moving forward with plans to build the first new primary aluminium production plant in the United States since 1980. The facility, located in Oklahoma, will nearly double American primary aluminium production and is expected to deliver first hot metal by the end of the decade.

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EMSTEEL launches private 5G network. (Image source: EMSTEEL)

EMSTEEL Group has successfully piloted a private 5G network, in collaboration with e& UAE, the flagship telecom arm of global technology group e&.

The initiative represents a major milestone in EMSTEEL’s Industry 4.0 journey and supports the UAE’s national strategy for industry, Operation 300bn, by enhancing operational efficiency, safety, and sustainability across its production facilities.

The private 5G network delivers high-speed, reliable coverage throughout EMSTEEL’s extensive and complex industrial environments, overcoming the limitations of traditional connectivity solutions. With data securely managed on EMSTEEL’s on-premise infrastructure, the network enables the integration of advanced technology projects, including the Asset Insight platform.

The Asset Insight application was the first to be demonstrated on the network. Using industry-grade tablets, workers can scan QR codes on equipment to access real-time documentation, maintenance history, and sensor data. The app also allows staff to generate maintenance requests instantly, helping to minimise downtime and repair costs while improving efficiency and safety.

Eng. Saeed Ghumran Al Remeithi, group CEO of EMSTEEL, said, “Our partnership with e& UAE to launch the World’s first private 5G network in manufacturing represents a landmark achievement in EMSTEEL’s digital transformation journey. It is more than a technological upgrade; it is a fundamental shift in how we operate, innovate, and ensure the safety of our people and assets. The Asset Insight platform is a powerful example of how we are translating Industry 4.0 principles into tangible operational benefits. This pilot launch reinforces our commitment to pioneering sustainable and efficient manufacturing practices, setting a new benchmark for the industrial sector both regionally and globally.”

“This transformative private 5G deployment with EMSTEEL exemplifies our vision of enabling the industries of tomorrow through cutting-edge connectivity. By delivering enterprise-grade network infrastructure tailored for demanding manufacturing environments, we are unlocking possibilities for smart factories, predictive maintenance, and AI-driven operations. At e&, we are committed to partnering with industry leaders like EMSTEEL to co-create solutions that don’t just connect devices, but fundamentally reimagine how industries operate and contribute to a more sustainable future,” added Masood M. Sharif Mahmood, CEO of e& UAE. 

The successful pilot underscores EMSTEEL’s commitment to investing in advanced technologies that enhance operational performance while strengthening its position as a global leader in low-carbon steel production and sustainable building materials. This technology strategy extends beyond manufacturing, with potential applications in commercial operations, customer experience, health and safety, sustainability, data utility, research and development, and more.

At the eighth annual Sharjah Investment Forum – World Investment Conference (SIF–WIC 2025), held in the presence of Her Highness Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq), H.E. Mohamed Alabbar highlighted the central role of manufacturing in shaping the UAE’s next phase of economic growth.

Speaking during a fireside chat titled “Vision, Venture, Value: Shaping the Region Through Leadership,” Alabbar, the founder of Emaar Properties and Noon.com and Chairman of Eagle Hills, noted that manufacturing already accounted for a greater share of the UAE’s GDP than real estate. “If you look at our economy, real estate is only 12% of GDP, but manufacturing is 15%,” he said. He urged investors and entrepreneurs to “look into manufacturing seriously,” adding that starting small and focusing on product quality and integrity could yield significant long-term rewards.

Alabbar described manufacturing as the foundation of real economic development, explaining that his business ventures were designed to stimulate growth through production, job creation, and local industry support. “Every project we do adds 5% to a city’s GDP. We create jobs, we pay taxes, we help small businesses grow, from the window maker to the cake shop owner,” he said.

He called on the next generation of Emirati entrepreneurs to invest in manufacturing innovation and technology, pointing to opportunities in areas such as advanced materials, digital fabrication, and industrial automation. His message reinforced the view that the UAE’s economic diversification strategy depended on building a strong, sustainable manufacturing base that could compete globally.

Organised by the Sharjah FDI Office (Invest in Sharjah) in partnership with the World Association of Investment Promotion Agencies (WAIPA), SIF–WIC 2025 positioned manufacturing as a key pillar of regional economic resilience and sustainable growth, in line with the UAE’s broader development vision.