Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) has joined Heavy Industry Low-carbon Transition Cooperative Research Centre (HILT CRC), to progress research into the decarbonization of alumina refining.
HILT CRC is an Australian cooperative research center bringing together industry, researchers and government to achieve technological breakthroughs in the decarbonization of the steel, iron, alumina and cement industries. Australia is the world’s second-largest alumina refining country and the largest alumina exporter.
Joining international research and technology providers, EGA is HILT’s first industry partner with operations entirely outside Australia. EGA’s Al Taweelah alumina refinery began production in 2019 and is the only alumina refinery in the UAE.
EGA also operates aluminum smelters in Abu Dhabi and Dubai and a bauxite mine and associated export facilities in the Republic of Guinea. EGA was the first aluminum producer in the Middle East to join the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI), and the first to achieve a site certification to the ASI Performance Standard.
In alumina refining, HILT CRC is focusing on decarbonizing the production of steam for digestion, and calcination. The two processes account for the majority of greenhouse gas emissions from alumina refineries and are the most significant decarbonization challenges at EGA’s Al Taweelah alumina refinery.
EGA is committed to reaching net zero by 2050 in line with the UAE’s Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative, and has a roadmap to decarbonize all its operations.
Abdulnasser bin Kalban CEO – EGA
“Joining HILT CRC enables EGA to participate with the Australian alumina refining industry in finding technological solutions to the toughest decarbonization challenges in alumina refining. EGA has a long history of partnering with others on research and development, and we are continuing this approach as we strive towards net zero by 2050. I look forward to some ground-breaking results from this collaboration.”
Ms. Felicity Lloyd, HILT’s CEO, said that “EGA’s aspirations to be measured amongst the world’s most responsible metals and mining companies and their roadmap to reach net zero emissions by 2050, shows strong alignment with HILT CRC’s mission and strategy. EGA can make an important contribution to decarbonization research including to the benefit of the Australian alumina industry. We look forward to collaborating on new technology developments and solutions to help the alumina industry to fully decarbonize.”
EGA joins 50 other partners across industry, research and government organizations who through HILT CRC will perform collaborative research dedicated to developing and demonstrating low-carbon technologies that will help transition the steel, iron, alumina, and cement industries to decarbonize heavy industry and grow the economy.
