The premier trade event of the UAE’s aluminium industry, the 16th Arab International Aluminium Conference (ARABAL 2012) was held at the Grand Hyatt Doha, Qatar from 20 to 22 November. The conference, taking place under the patronage of Ministry of Energy and Industry, was attended by every single primary aluminium manufacturer from the Middle East. It is also the coveted event for anyone interested in the Middle East aluminium industry. The conference included several topics, panel discussions and outstanding workshops that focus on the aluminum sector at the local and global levels, and hosted some of the most prominent figures including experts and academics addressing the conference and presenting their expertise to participants and audience.
This year the Conference was attended by over 500 participants and 40 exhibitors from more than 50 countries around the world. The Conference kicked off with a virtual tour through a storied corner of the City of London – the London Metal Exchange, a workshop presentation in front of 200 ARABAL delegates by Martin Abbott – CEO of the London Metal Exchange. The workshop was a unique opportunity for delegates to get a deep understanding of one of the most significant links in the chain of the global metals industry.
ARABAL delegates were taken to a visit of the smelter of Qatalum – the host of ARABAL 2012 at Mesaieed Industrial City. The forty-minute tour of the facility gave an opportunity to the delegates to visit the Potline, baking furnace, paste plant and anode rodding plant, before the metal fluxing and casthouse and power plant and zero energy building.
The first full day of ARABAL highlighted regional issues, power generation and technology developments taking place in Qatar in the aluminium sector. Mr. Al Shaibi, Chairman of Qatalum, took the audience through the achievements of Qatalum and steps that the company has taken in Qatar. Hydro Aluminium also gave a comprehensive presentation and spoke of ‘infinite aluminium’ through strong increase in demand and recycling innovations.
The day continued with an extremely senior panel discussion on the “Future Prospects of Aluminium Industry in the GCC”.
The peculiar economics of China’s aluminium industry, and its effect on the global cost curve were highlights of the morning session of the final day of Arab International Aluminium Conference "ARABAL 2012. Mr. Paul Adkins, Director of AZ China Limited and Mr. Eric Zhang, Analyst at SMM, presented on the peculiarities of the Chinese industry and their emphasis on heavy output.
The next panel discussions by the panelists indicated that aluminium majors are pinning hopes on the on the auto industry for the aluminium market. The afternoon session of the final day saw presentations on safety standards, design controls and sustainability.
Each day of the conference was wrapped up with cultural program and dinner to give delegates an opportunity to discuss the connections made, information shared and arguments put forth over three days of the event. The ‘Qatari Night’ was a celebration of the Qatari way of life, culture and traditions with folk music, dance, delicacies and a visit to a Qatari village.
ARABAL 2012 showed the growing strength of the Arab aluminum industry as well as that of Asia. Head of the Preparatory Committee Mr. Ibrahim Jasem Fakhri noted that the tangible increase in the amount of individual and corporate participation is clear evidence of the growing importance of the aluminum industry regionally and globally.
(Alcircle.com was invited to be present at the event as a media partner and exhibitor. AlCircle put up an impressive stall at the media hall for two days and played host to the heavyweights from the global aluminium industry.)