Alba and Daiki Aluminium Team Up for Sustainable Aluminium Dross Facility in Bahrain
Aluminium Bahrain (Alba) and Japan’s Daiki Aluminium Industry Company have signed a joint venture (JV) agreement to establish a sustainable aluminium dross processing facility in Bahrain. The planned facility will have an annual production capacity exceeding 25,000 tonnes, aiming to support waste recycling and promote sustainable solutions within the country.
Ali Al Baqali, CEO of Alba, expressed his ambitions for the company during an interview at the Gateway Gulf 24 event in Bahrain. He stated that Alba aims to become one of the largest aluminium smelters globally, with its goals being limitless. The JV with Daiki Aluminium underscores the efficiency of both cost and effort, highlighting Alba’s commitment to environmental protection and responsible operations.
In addition to the agreement with Daiki Aluminium, Alba also signed a partnership with ARRAY Innovation. This collaboration is set to utilize the latest technologies to enhance operational efficiency at Alba's facilities. Al Baqali explained that ARRAY Innovation’s solutions, particularly in artificial intelligence (AI), would help improve production standards and safety in the aluminium sector.
Al Baqali emphasized that Alba is not solely focused on the Asian market. Instead, the company maintains a diverse strategy to mitigate risks by operating in various markets, including the US, Europe, and Asia. He noted that while the local market accounts for approximately 25% of Alba’s sales, the company also targets international markets, with sales contributions ranging between 18% and 22% across these regions.
Recent geopolitical challenges, such as the ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia and tensions in the Red Sea, have impacted Alba's strategy, leading to increased shipping costs and changes in logistics. Despite these challenges, Alba has swiftly adapted its approach to ensure continued success in global markets, with a strong focus on Europe and the US.
Al Baqali further highlighted Alba’s aspirations to strengthen Arab cooperation through the Gulf Aluminium Council and stressed the importance of partnerships within the region, particularly with Egypt, as a part of their technical and training initiatives. He noted that Egypt is a partner in Arabal, a premium trade event for the aluminium industry in the Middle East and the only conference attended by every primary smelter in the region.
