Member nations of the Gulf Corporation Council (GCC) produced 6.11mn mt of aluminium in 2020, up by 6pc from 5.77mn mt in 2019. Production rose despite economic challenges brought about by the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. GCC attributes the increase in aluminum output was driven by full capacity utilization of Alba’s Line 6 and high productivity drive by Ma’aden.
The top aluminum producer was UAE-based EGA, which has aluminum smelters in Jebel Ali and Al Taweelah and an alumina refinery in Al Taweelah. The company’s total aluminum production stood at 2.50mn mt, down by 2.87pc from 2.57mn mt produced in 2019.
Bahrain-based Alba’s aluminum output in 2020 grew by 13pc to 1.54mn mt, a record high, from 1.36mn mt produced in the previous year. The company which began its commercial operations 50 years ago surpassed its production target for the year.
Saudi Arabia’s Ma’aden produced 1.01mn mt of aluminum in 2020, up by 30.31pc from 775,500mt produced in the prior year.
Qatar-based Qatalum’s aluminum production fell by 1pc to 655,300mt compared to 661,900mt produced in the year before, while Oman-based Sohar Aluminium’s aluminum output stood at 396,046mt, up by 1.43pc from 390,449mt produced in 2019.
The GCC nations contributed around 10pc of the world’s aluminum demand and exported 60pc of its output to over 65 countries across the globe.