Manufacturing

The capacity has increased from 55,000tpa to 110,000tpa. (Image source: DMB)

Ducab Metals Business (DMB), part of the Ducab Group, has announced a major expansion, doubling its annual aluminium production capacity from 55,000tpa to 110,000tpa, and increasing its bare copper output to meet growing global demand.

This move strengthens DMB’s competitive edge in the international metals sector while contributing to the UAE’s Operation 300bn strategy, which aims to boost industrial growth and enhance the nation’s role as a leader in advanced manufacturing.

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The expansion was unveiled at the ‘Ducab Metals Business Expansion Forum: Advancing Capacity, Driving Innovation,’ held in collaboration with Middle East Economic Digest (MEED).

The forum brought together leading industry, government, and academic figures to discuss the future of the UAE’s industrial development and explore key strategies for achieving the objectives of Operation 300bn. The event also highlighted DMB’s progress in innovation and sustainability, including its groundbreaking work in green aluminium production.

Among the prominent attendees were Ducab Group CEO Mohammed Almutawa, DMB CEO Mohamed Al Ahmedi, and key representatives from the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology, Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi - KEZAD Group, and the Abu Dhabi Investment Office.

Mohammad Almutawa, CEO of Ducab Group, said, "At Ducab, we are committed to boosting our industrial and production capacities through strategic, forward-looking investments that are perfectly aligned with Operation 300bn. This expansion enhances our ability to meet international demand, elevates the 'Made in the Emirates' brand, and boosts our global competitiveness, all while supporting sustainable business growth and strengthening industrial resilience. These efforts further establish the UAE as a leading hub for future industries and attract greater global investments." 

Mohamed Al Ahmedi, CEO of DMB, said, "Doubling our aluminium production and expanding our copper capabilities reflects our dedication to strengthening the UAE's industrial sector. This move secures our leadership in metal manufacturing, drives innovation, and reinforces our status as a major global producer. By adopting advanced, sustainable technologies and pioneering new industrial solutions, we continue to lead in industrial and technological advancement."

This recent enlargement of DMB's facilities at KEZAD Group, which increased the total space by 51,015 sqm, along with the strategic acquisition of GIC Magnet—a leading global supplier of paper-insulated aluminum strips—underscores DMB’s role as a key manufacturing hub. This development enables DMB to better serve industries such as healthcare, automotive, and packaging, thereby broadening its product range and expanding its global footprint.

Mecc Alte’s V-Type range is the result of a series of discussions where OEMs and end-users highlighted application requirements with Mecc Alte experts.

A key outcome was the need for alternators that could continuously work in harsh environments.

“We call the V-Type our most resilient alternator yet,” says the company’s group marketing director, Jonathan Stokes. “It has been created specifically to deliver reliable power generation when working in harsh environments, for example those with extreme heat or cold, or high levels of rain or dust, often in remote locations.”

Naturally, given the tough environments in which the alternator range is used, the V-Type underwent rigorous testing.

Superior durability is built into the design as standard to guarantee power in locations where it may be challenging to carry out maintenance procedures associated with less resilient models.

V-Type TOTAL+, for example, is an exclusive winding treatment with a specification that’s designed to be more resilient. Reinforced tape is also used around the lower radius of the stator, providing an external covering for the reinforced NDE winding head base.

Other enhancements that add to V-Type range’s exceptional durability and longevity include 30,000 premium bearing hours for increased reliability, taping and VTP treatment for the excitor stator, TOTAL+ reinforcement of the lower lamination slats for insulation protection, and premium paint that includes an anti-rust treatment.

The range also comes with the MAUX Power Boost Auxiliary Winding System as standard across the range. The MAUX system provides high performance over standard shunt systems, thanks to over 300% forced short circuit current for up to 20 seconds.

An extended warranty is also standard as part of the range.

With these enhancements the V-Type is built to last as part of a robust power generator set that is ideally suited to its operating conditions, environment, and specified application.

Mecc Alte is a high-volume manufacturer that produces a diverse range of alternators, including 2-pole and 4-pole alternators, as well as medium and high voltage alternators, spanning 1 – 5000kVA.

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EGA is also a signatory of the United Nations' Women’s Empowerment Principles. (Image source: EGA)

Emirates Global Aluminium announced that over 110 women have joined the company since Emirati Women’s Day 2023, including 67 UAE nationals.

EGA now employs over 550 women in the UAE in total, including more than 195 in operations. The company is aiming for 25 per cent of supervisory roles to be held by women by 2025, up from around 20 per cent today, and 15 per cent of all positions by 2026. EGA marked Emirati Women’s Day with the launch a new initiative dedicated to promoting gender diversity across UAE industry.

EGA's Break the Mould initiative seeks to inspire young women interested in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) to follow the path of trailblazing women who have made notable contributions to the UAE's industrial sector.

The UAE stands out as one of the few countries globally where more women than men graduate in STEM fields. In celebration of Emirati Women’s Day, EGA’s Women’s Network hosted an event for all female employees at EGA, highlighting the progress made in gender diversity and exploring ways to further enhance it.

In 2022, EGA opened its long-standing National Training programmes for industrial operations roles to women for the first time, resulting in women making up 20% of new entrants in the first full year. Additionally, EGA introduced the Challenger Programme last year, which unites leading industrial companies to accelerate gender diversity by tackling common practical challenges.

EGA is also a signatory of the United Nations' Women’s Empowerment Principles and is committed to advancing gender diversity across its operations while advocating for the role of women in both industry and society.

Abdulnasser Bin Kalban, Chief Executive Officer of Emirates Global Aluminium, said: “At EGA and in the UAE industrial sector, pioneering women are making significant contributions and inspire many more women to follow in their footsteps. Emirati Women’s Day is an opportunity to celebrate their achievements in our industry and our nation. We believe that diversity leads to improved business performance, and we are committed to creating more opportunities for women and to inspire the next generation of women leaders and innovators in the UAE.”

The first phase of the industrial park, with an investment of US$360mn, will cover over 450,000 sq m in Al Ghail and Al Hulaila. (Image source: RAKEZ)

His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, UAE Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, presided over the official lease signing ceremony between China's leading Shandong Timber and Wood Products Association (STWPA) and Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ) to establish the Zhong A Shandong Industrial Park in Ras Al Khaimah.

The lease agreement was signed by Yang Yuelu, President of STWPA and Chairman of Zhong A Shandong Industrial Park, and Ramy Jallad, Group CEO of RAKEZ.

The first phase of the industrial park, with an investment of US$360mn, will cover over 450,000 sq m in Al Ghail and Al Hulaila within RAKEZ. The park is set to expand further, ultimately occupying over 1 million m2 in Al Ghail over the next three years. Once completed, the project will introduce more than 60 new companies, particularly in the wood and food and beverage sectors, and generate over 3,500 new jobs in the next five years.

STWPA, which has established similar ventures in China, Indonesia, and Ethiopia, attracts a variety of businesses in sectors such as chemicals, mechanical and electrical, and glass. In Ras Al Khaimah, the industrial park will offer ready-made infrastructure for Chinese investors, with RAKEZ and its partners facilitating their business setup. The park has already attracted F&B and plywood manufacturers.

The UAE holds a pivotal role in China’s global trade strategy, serving as China's largest trade partner in the Arab region and re-exporting around 60% of Chinese trade to over 400 cities across the MENA region. Additionally, the UAE has secured numerous international trade agreements that bolster the country's appeal as a manufacturing hub for global companies. This strategic position has propelled the UAE up the FDI league tables, solidifying its reputation as a prime destination for international investment.

Recognising the significance of Chinese businesses in diversifying Ras Al Khaimah's industrial base, RAKEZ actively engages with Chinese entrepreneurs, government officials, and media representatives through strategic meetings and roadshows across Chinese cities. These efforts to foster a thriving business and investment environment have attracted over 200 Chinese companies to RAKEZ, spanning industries such as recycling, LED lighting, engineering, and packaging, among others.

The agreement was signed by Suraj Thampi, Alutec’s CEO, and Martin Deil, ClearVue Technologies’ global CEO. (Image source: ClearVue)

Smart building materials company, ClearVue Technologies has signed a manufacturing and distribution agreement with Alutec, Qatar’s largest glass processer, façade manufacturer and a group company under Aria Holding

In doing so, the company has extended its business into Indian, Middle East, and North African markets. As per the five-year agreement, Alutec will manufacture and distribute ClearVue Solar Visiion Glass, a product that integrated solar technology into building façades to enhance energy efficiency and sustainability in key markets. This offers environmental benefits and supports governmental sustainability targets.

“This agreement aligns with our growth strategy to partner with key manufacturers in strategic target markets,” commented Martin Deil, global CEO of ClearVue. “For the Middle East, Alutec is a prominent and well-respected leader in design, engineering, manufacturing, and installation for building envelopes.

“ClearVue offers the only high-energy clear solar vision glass on the market easily integrated into window manufacturing lines, helping building owners reduce carbon emissions while improving energy efficiency. We see Alutec as a strategic partner and we will pursue opportunities to collaborate on projects where ClearVue products offer substantial value.”

John Douglas, Alutec pre-construction director, added, “Our region is preparing for the future. Governments across the Middle East are heavily investing in renewable solutions to meet our growing energy needs in the region. India is also a key focus for our expansion plans. We are currently setting up manufacturing and distribution facilities in India, and we see ClearVue as a key part of those plans as we expand into that region.

“ClearVue’s technology uniquely provides our construction sector the technological tools needed to transform each individual building into a mini renewable energy hub – a remarkable achievement and one that will help our clients meet their energy needs and ‘net-zero’ goals. As part of Aria Holding, we bring additional resources and strategic support to this innovative partnership.”

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