Manama: The importance of the aluminium sector and value-added products will be showcased at the upcoming Gulf Industry Fair 2016, it has emerged.
A statement by Hilal Conferences & Exhibitions (HCE), the organiser of the event, yesterday said it will be held from February 9 to 11 at the Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre.
Led by Alba, one of the world’s leading aluminium smelters, and supported by the Gulf Aluminium Council (GAC), the Aluminium Zone at Gulf Industry Fair 2016 promises to reflect the trends of the global aluminium industry, which continues to drive opportunity for downstream suppliers such as Bahraini companies Balexco, Midal Cables, Ameeri Industries and Turk Mechanical.
Alba’s line 6 Expansion Project, will add approximately 514,000 tonnes to its capacity of 931,000 tonnes as of last year’s end, making the company the largest single site smelter in the world upon completion with around 1.45 million tonnes.
GAC secretary general Mahmood Daylami said Gulf Industry Fair is a key part of the council’s ongoing strategy to highlight the GCC as an aluminium hub.
“The GCC’s importance to the aluminium sector grows year on year with the expansion of smelters in the region and the resulting expansion of the downstream products and services sector.
“The growth of regional smelters such as Alba, Maaden and Qatalum will create business opportunities in the downstream aluminium sector which will be showcased at the Gulf Industry Fair 2016,” he added.
According to Alba’s chief marketing officer Khalid Abdullatif, falling aluminium prices at the London Metal Exchange are imposing many challenges for the aluminium industry globally.
“Alba has to reinvent itself to remain cost competitive through the cost-reduction initiatives. This has already started with Project Titan, which aims to reduce Alba’s cash cost by $150 per tonne by January next year,” he added.
Bahrain-based companies are flexing their muscles on the global aluminium market.
Gulf Industry Fair exhibitors like Midal Cables, for example, started producing aluminium, alloy rods and conductors in Australia last year in joint venture with Australia’s Power Grid Cables.
This complements the 30,000 tonnes per year plant the company recently started in Turkey, producing overhead line transmission and distribution conductors.
Bahrain Aluminium Extrusion Company (Balexco), an exhibitor at Gulf Industry Fair, has an outstanding track record in manufacturing extrusions.
Its current production capacity now exceeds a record 33,000 tonnes.
HCE managing director Jubran Abdulrahman said the aluminium sector is the key industrial growth driver in the region.
“The sector will continue to be an important creator of jobs and business opportunities as the region’s economies look to diversify themselves.
“We consider the aluminium showcase during Gulf Industry Fair as a key promoter of the opportunities for aluminium-based industrial development.
“The strategic support of Alba and the participation of Balexco and Midal Cables, among many other companies, show the value that the Aluminium Village at Gulf Industry Fair is given by the sector,” Mr Abdulrahman added.
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