Al Taweelah’s output is expected to take up to a year to return to pre-incident levels.
Dubai: Emirates Global Aluminium has restarted 89 reduction cells at its Al Taweelah facility in Abu Dhabi, marking early progress in restoring one of the world’s largest aluminium production complexes after it suffered significant damage in March.
The company said key early milestones in the restart programme have been achieved ahead of schedule, although hot metal production at Al Taweelah may take up to a year to return to pre-incident levels.
The site was damaged on March 28 after Iranian attacks on the Khalifa Economic Zone in Abu Dhabi prompted an emergency shutdown. Two EGA employees were hospitalised following the incident and have since been discharged to continue their recovery.
Restart work moves ahead
EGA said it has established a dedicated team to ensure a safe and efficient restart of its Al Taweelah facilities.
Repairs to damaged infrastructure have progressed rapidly, with basic utilities now restored across the site. Natural gas and electricity supply are expected to ramp up in line with the restart programme.
Restoring hot metal production requires EGA to progressively restart each of the site’s 1,262 reduction cells. Anode removal has been completed in all cells, bath cleaning is about 90% complete, and frozen metal has been cleared from more than 20% of the cells.
The first restored reduction cell was restarted on May 26, and a total of 89 cells have now been brought back into operation.
“We are rapidly and safely executing a clear, disciplined plan to restore production at Al Taweelah, one of the world’s most important aluminium production complexes,” said Abdulnasser Bin Kalban, Chief Executive Officer of Emirates Global Aluminium. “All opportunities to accelerate the timeline further are being explored, and we aim to emerge stronger than ever. Our people have risen to this challenge, and I commend their continued dedication to EGA’s future.”
Casthouse and recycling resume
Al Taweelah Casthouse produced its first cast metal on May 4. The facility is remelting frozen metal removed from reduction cells during the restoration process to produce finished aluminium products, while also casting hot metal from restored cells.
The Al Taweelah recycling plant had recently entered final commissioning and had begun cast metal production at the time of the incident. Final commissioning resumed in April, and recycled cast metal production restarted in early May.
EGA said ramp-up to full production at the recycling plant is expected to take up to six months, in line with the original timeline, subject to scrap availability.
At the Al Taweelah alumina refinery, first alumina production is expected in early Q3. The company said ramp-up to full production could be rapid, subject to optimisation of bauxite supply chains.
The recovery of hot metal production is not expected to depend on the alumina refinery reaching full ramp-up.
Jebel Ali runs at full capacity
EGA’s Jebel Ali site continues to operate at full production, providing a stable operating base while Al Taweelah is being restored.
The company added that average daily inbound deliveries of key raw materials currently exceed requirements for both Jebel Ali operations and the Al Taweelah recovery programme. Raw material stocks in the UAE are also increasing.
EGA had significant volumes of metal on the water and in overseas warehouses at the start of the conflict, allowing it to continue supplying some customers.
However, outbound logistics were constrained from March, resulting in a temporary suspension of new shipment departures and a build-up of finished metal inventory in the UAE.
Stockpiles begin to ease
EGA said it has made progress in establishing alternative outbound logistics routes through ports outside the Strait of Hormuz.
The company is currently selling more metal than it is producing at its Jebel Ali facility, leading to a gradual reduction in UAE stockpiles. A return to pre-crisis shipment levels is expected, under current conditions, to depend on the reopening of the Strait.
EGA’s recycling plants in the United States and Germany have continued operating throughout 2026, providing additional supply continuity while the UAE restart programme progresses.
