Emirates Global Aluminium Progresses to 25% Restoration at Al Taweelah Smelter Following Iran Strike

Emirates Global Aluminium has completed 25 per cent of the restoration work at its Al Taweelah plant following significant damage sustained in an Iranian strike in March. Out of 1,262 reduction cells, approximately 315 have been successfully restarted, with the company aiming to achieve full aluminium production by the first quarter of next year.

The complex restoration process involves repairing and restarting each individual reduction cell used in the electrolytic reduction method of aluminium production. Around 1,000 personnel are deployed on the project, backed by a $400 million investment. Meanwhile, the Al Taweelah alumina refinery continues to operate at roughly 50 per cent capacity.

“The restoration of production at Al Taweelah is the biggest challenge we have ever faced at EGA,” stated chief executive Abdulnasser bin Kalban. He expressed confidence that innovative methods and an expert team will drive the plant toward full capacity by Q1 2027.

The critical infrastructure site was targeted when Iran initiated attacks across the Arabian Gulf after the war began on February 28, resulting in a strike on the production unit at Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi on March 28. Basic utilities, including natural gas and electricity, are progressively returning to support the restart schedule.

Financially, Emirates Global Aluminium reported a 34 per cent annual rise in first-half adjusted net profit, reaching Dh2.46 billion ($670 million), though this figure excludes the impact of the incident. Reported net income for January to June stood at $473 million, accounting for a $197 million hit from the attack. Revenue for the first six months of 2026 dropped 10 per cent to Dh13.5 billion due to reduced sales volumes, which were partially balanced by higher global aluminium prices.