Image: Aerial view of Emirates Global Aluminium’s Al Taweelah complex in Abu Dhabi, UAE. (Photo via ega.ae)
By Open Chronicle Staff with Agencies
ABU DHABI, UAE – Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) has issued a stark warning regarding global metal supplies, revealing that its massive Al Taweelah industrial complex sustained “significant damage” following recent missile and drone strikes on the Khalifa Economic Zone (KIZAD).
The company confirmed today that while emergency measures are in place, a full return to primary aluminum production could take up to 12 months.
Emergency Shutdown and Initial Assessments
Following the attacks, EGA executed a complete evacuation of the Al Taweelah site, initiating an emergency shutdown of its critical infrastructure. The halt affects the entirety of the complex, including:
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The Aluminum Smelter and Foundry
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The Power Plant
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The Al Taweelah Alumina Refinery
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The Al Taweelah Recycling Plant
Initial assessments indicate that restarting the smelter, a facility that produced 1.6 million tons of cast aluminum in 2025, will be a grueling technical challenge. Engineers must repair damaged infrastructure and gradually bring reduction cells back online to avoid further structural failure. While the refinery and recycling plants may resume partial operations sooner, the primary production line remains crippled.
CEO Condemns “Targeting of Employees”
Abdulnasser bin Kalban, CEO of EGA, spoke out against the strikes, which he noted directly targeted a diverse workforce representing more than 40 nationalities.
“The Al Taweelah site is a cornerstone of global supply chains,” Bin Kalban stated. “While we are grateful for the safety of our team and are supporting those injured, the repercussions of this attack will extend to numerous industries worldwide.”
Bin Kalban emphasized that employee safety remains the top priority as the company begins the long process of stabilization.
Market Implications
The Al Taweelah refinery alone produced 2.4 million tons of alumina in 2025, meeting nearly half of the company’s total requirements. Its prolonged absence from the market is expected to send ripples through the automotive, aerospace, and packaging industries.
To mitigate the immediate fallout, EGA reported it is drawing from substantial stockpiles maintained within the UAE and at international distribution hubs. The company remains in direct communication with global customers to manage anticipated delays in orders.