Gulf aluminum and the Italian light metal supply chain, a consolidated history of cooperation and synergies

Aluminum from the Gulf is a great reality, it began its journey just over 50 years ago, today the production of primary metal in the area is around 6.3 million tonnes, a figure from last year. We are talking about a complex and advanced system, with five primary producers, a significant number of first processing companies, a downstream for final uses which looks at important application areas such as automotive and construction, a solid organization of the supply chain such as the GAC - GulfAluminiumCouncil , with great confidence in technical and professional training in the area, not only in words but also in deeds.

The Gulf aluminum industry is moving with determination on the hot topics of eco-sustainability and energy costs, focusing on three main objectives:

• Decarbonization of electricity used in production processes;
• Decarbonization of the industrial supply chain;
• Development of recycled aluminium.

Regarding the decarbonisation of electricity, it should be remembered that the Gulf smelters were the first in the world to produce primary metal using solar energy and today they are evaluating the potential of hydrogen, reasoning in terms of collective interests with the aim of creating a circular carbon economy at the level of the entire territory. Great attention is also paid to the recovery and recycling of scrap: many of the large manufacturing companies are building advanced remelting plants with a capacity of up to 150 thousand tonnes/year.

For years, strong collaboration has been in place at all levels between the Italian aluminum supply chain and that of the Gulf. If we consider the growing European need for good primary aluminum at a low level of CO2, added to the solid heritage of experience and knowledge on downstream technologies and uses that we can put on the scale, we understand the mutual interest in close and growing collaboration. For our part, as a communication tool, we believe we are making a useful contribution in this sense by comparing the opinions of operators on both sides.

Source: A&L Aluminium Alloys Pressure Diecasting Foundry Tecniques