CANPACK JOINS ALUMINUM RECYCLING COALITION IN UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

a global manufacturer of sustainable packaging solutions, with a major aluminum can manufacturing plant in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), announced that it has joined the Aluminum Recycling Coalition that was launched by Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) in Dubai on September 15.

This coalition of leaders in the aluminum, beverage and waste industry was formed in the UAE with the purpose of increasing recycling rates. This alliance seeks to promote environmental awareness among citizens so that they understand the benefits of the process of recycling used bottles and why it will contribute to regenerating the environment, improving society and stimulating the economy.

Coalition members include EGA, Abu Dhabi Waste Management Company (Tadweer), Aujan Coca-Cola Beverages Company, Coca-Cola Al Ahlia Beverages Company, BEEAH Tandeef, Pepsi-bottler Dubai Refreshment, CANPACK, Crown Bevcan EMEA, DULSCO Group and Veolia.

The Coalition was officially launched in the presence of H.E. Abdullah Bin Touq Al Marri, UAE Minister of Economy, and H.E. Mariam bint Mohammed Saeed Hareb Almheiri, UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment.

Malgorzata Podrecka, CANPACK Group’s Legal, Sustainability and Public Relations Officer, said, “CANPACK is delighted to join the prestigious Aluminum Recycling Coalition in the UAE, as we believe that only through collaboration can we make a lasting, positive and meaningful impact on the environment and society. By working together, we know that we will be able to better address climate change, promote a circular economy, improve local communities and ensure that the UAE’s aluminum industry is economically sustainable and here for the long term. Simply put, this is a fantastic opportunity to institute positive change across the country and lead globally on sustainability-related issues.”

The Aluminum Coalition is conducting as its first project a study to assess the level of aluminum recycling that currently exists in the United Arab Emirates. This research will be conducted by the well-known International Aluminum Institute. In addition, the Coalition will be responsible for providing support and advice to the UAE Government to develop an adequate infrastructure for aluminum recycling and management.

Precisely, almost half a century ago, Emirates Global Aluminium was created as Dubai Aluminium by Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, working ever since to innovate in the area of aluminum as part of improving the quality of life.

Emirates Global Aluminium Group (EGA) is the world’s leading manufacturer of “premium aluminum” and the largest industrial firm in the United Arab Emirates outside the oil and gas industry. For those involved in the industry, it is well known that EGA is a company owned between two Arab investors, the Mubadala Investment Company and the Investment Corporation of Dubai. This makes it one of the main leaders in the UAE’s commercial landscape.

EGA is an integrated aluminum producer, with operations ranging from bauxite mining to primary molten aluminum production. EGA operates aluminum smelters in Jebel Ali and Al Taweelah, an alumina refinery in Al Taweelah and a bauxite mine and associated export facilities in the Republic of Guinea. EGA aluminum is the second largest export made in the UAE after oil and gas. In 2021, EGA sold 2.54 million tons of molten metal. EGA is the sole producer in the United Arab Emirates and makes the UAE the fifth largest aluminum producing nation in the world.

EGA also has more than 400 customers in more than 50 countries. In 2021, value-added products accounted for 84% of EGA’s molten metal sales. EGA’s aluminum is mainly used in the construction, automotive, packaging, aerospace and electronics industries.

Around 10% of the aluminum produced by EGA, a company operating in the United Arab Emirates, is distributed to 26 aluminum processing companies that manufacture and market aluminum products. This helps support the growing aluminum industry in this Arab country by employing more than 60,000 people, among which EGA has hired 7,000 people. Of these, 1.2 thousand are local citizens.

EGA has been focused on technology development for more than 25 years. EGA has used its own technology for each foundry expansion since the 1990s and has modernized all of its older production lines. In 2016, EGA became the first industrial company in the UAE to license its core industrial process technology internationally.

As a corporate citizen of the United Arab Emirates, EGA aspires in all its operations to measure among the world’s leading metals and mining companies in meeting its environmental and social responsibilities. In 2017, EGA became the first Middle East-based company to join the Aluminum Stewardship Initiative, a global program to encourage greater sustainability and transparency in the aluminum industry. In 2019, EGA’s Al Taweelah site became the first in the Middle East to receive ASI certification for its sustainability practices and performance. EGA’s Jebel Ali site was certified in 2021. ASI certification is the aluminum industry’s internationally recognized standard for environmental and social performance and governance.

In 2021, EGA began production of CelestiAL solar aluminum, produced with solar power from the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park outside Dubai. EGA is the first company in the world to manufacture aluminum commercially using the sun’s energy.