- UAE’s first alumina refinery resumes operations
- Refinery supplied 46% of EGA’s alumina needs
Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA), the world’s largest producer of premium aluminium, has restarted alumina production at its Al Taweelah alumina refinery in Abu Dhabi following a suspension in March. The company expects production to ramp up to 50% of the refinery’s capacity within days and achieve full technical production capability by the end of 2026. However, the timing of further output increases will depend on supply chain conditions and the optimisation of EGA’s alumina sourcing strategy.
The restart marks a significant milestone in restoring operations at EGA’s Al Taweelah industrial complex after production was halted on 28 March following Iranian attacks on the Khalifa Economic Zone Abu Dhabi (KEZAD). Hydrate, the intermediate product used to produce alumina, resumed production on 24 June, paving the way for the refinery’s restart.
The Al Taweelah alumina refinery produced 2.4 million tonnes of alumina in 2025, meeting approximately 46% of EGA’s total alumina requirements. Alumina is the key raw material used in aluminium smelting and is transported directly from the refinery to the adjacent Al Taweelah smelter through an integrated conveyor belt system. EGA noted that aluminium production at the smelter will continue to ramp up independently and does not rely on the refinery reaching full capacity.
Commenting on the development, EGA Chief Executive Officer Abdulnasser Bin Kalban said the resumption of alumina production represents another major milestone in restoring the Al Taweelah site as one of the world’s leading aluminium production complexes. He added that the dedication and agility of the refinery team enabled the safe and swift restart of operations.
Commissioned in 2019, the Al Taweelah alumina refinery is the first alumina refinery in the UAE and remains a strategic asset in strengthening EGA’s upstream integration and securing its raw material supply chain.
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