EGA Likely to Begin Operations at Bauxite Residue Pilot Plant in 2024

Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) has revealed its plans for the completion of its bauxite residue pilot plant situated in Al Taweelah, Abu Dhabi, slated for realization within the ongoing year. Boasting a projected production capacity of up to 6 tonnes per day, this innovative facility aims to repurpose bauxite residue, an inevitable by-product stemming from alumina refining processes, into what EGA terms as 'Turba,' a manufactured soil, drawing inspiration from the Arabic word for soil. Serving as the core hub for this transformative endeavor, the Al Taweelah alumina refinery stands tall with a nameplate capacity of 2 million tonnes annually, serving the pivotal function of converting bauxite into alumina feedstock, which in turn fuels aluminium smelters, as delineated on EGA's official website.

EGA underscores that the impending launch of the pilot plant will pave the way for large-scale trials designed to evaluate the remarkable plant growth witnessed in laboratory settings, while concurrently curbing water and fertilizer consumption. Remarkably, these trials have yielded promising outcomes, hinting at the potential of Turba to exhibit up to 10 times greater CO2 absorption capabilities in comparison to the native soil indigenous to the UAE.

Given the UAE's inherent scarcity of naturally occurring soil and its notable reliance on imports to support greenery and agricultural initiatives, EGA's ventures carry profound implications for sustainable resource management. Moreover, EGA's dedicated bauxite residue research team remains actively engaged in exploring alternative applications for this residue, including its prospective utilization as a fundamental raw material across various sectors encompassing steel, cement, and construction.

The global production scale of bauxite residue waste escalates to an estimated 150 million tonnes annually, thereby presenting a formidable challenge in terms of waste management. In line with its overarching zero waste to landfill ethos, EGA has spearheaded the formulation of innovative reutilization strategies tailored for diverse waste streams.

Notable examples in this regard encompass the reutilization of spent pot lining, a consequential by-product emerging from aluminium smelting processes, repurposed as an alternative feedstock and fuel within the cement industry. Additionally, EGA has harnessed carbon dust as a viable fuel source in cement manufacturing operations, alongside the implementation of dross processing techniques aimed at the recovery of aluminium, thus substantiating its unwavering commitment to sustainable waste management practices.

Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) maintains equal ownership between two prominent entities: Mubadala Investment Company of Abu Dhabi and Investment Corporation of Dubai. As a conglomerate within the aluminium sector, EGA holds significant stakes in bauxite/alumina production and primary aluminium smelting.