Emirates Aluminium's Phase II expansion project in Abu Dhabi, UAE, produced its first hot metal Sunday, three months head of schedule, Emal said.
At 1.7 km, Emal Phase II has the longest potline in the world, consisting of 444 reduction pots, and will raise total annual production capacity at the company's Al Taweelah smelter to 1.3 million mt from the previous 750,000 mt.
Emal is a joint venture between Dubai government-owned Dubai Aluminium and Abu Dhabi government-owned Mubadala Development.
In June, Mubadala and Investment Corporation of Dubai announced the creation of Emirates Global Aluminium, which will integrate the businesses of Dubal and Emal.
Once the Emal Phase II expansion is complete, Emirates Global Aluminium will be the fifth-largest global aluminum company by production, with an annual capacity of 2.3 million mt.