Production begins at expansion of EGA Spectro Alloys recycling plant in US - Middle East Business News and Information
The expansion adds 55 thousand tonnes of secondary billet production capacity in the first phase. The ramp-up to full production is expected to be complete in the first quarter of 2026. The expansion takes EGA Spectro Alloys' total production capacity to 165 thousand tonnes per year of recycled aluminium ingots and billets.
Metal from the expansion project will be sold under EGA's recycled aluminium product brand RevivAL.
The completion of the expansion project at EGA Spectro Alloys brings EGA's global aluminium recycling capacity to 195 thousand tonnes per year, with plants in the United States and Germany.
EGA is currently building the UAE's largest aluminium recycling plant in Al Taweelah, which will have a capacity of 170 thousand tonnes per year of aluminium billets. The UAE recycling plant is expected to begin production in the first half of 2026.
Abdulnasser Bin Kalban, Chief Executive Officer of Emirates Global Aluminium , said today: 'Reaching first hot metal at the expansion of EGA Spectro Alloys is another milestone in our drive to build a global aluminium recycling business to meet growing demand for this low carbon metal. It is also a milestone in EGA's growth in the United States, already one of our most important markets and where we are progressing our plans to build a primary aluminium production plant in Oklahoma.'
Demand for recycled aluminium in the United States is expected to reach some 7.6 million tonnes per year by 2033, according to CRU, an independent business intelligence organisation. The United States is currently the world's second biggest recycled aluminium market.
Recycling aluminium requires 95 per cent less electricity than making new metal, and generates a fraction of the greenhouse gas emissions.
In Oklahoma, EGA plans to develop the first new primary aluminium production plant in the United States of America since 1980.
The plant is expected to have a production capacity of 600 thousand tonnes of primary aluminium per year, nearly doubling the United States' current production. Some 85 per cent of the aluminium needs of American industries, from automotive to aviation and construction, are currently met by imports.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
See - Sada Elbalad
10 hours ago
- See - Sada Elbalad
US Corporate Bankruptcies Hit 15-Year High
Taarek Refaat The U.S. economy is showing alarming signs of distress, as a wave of corporate bankruptcies sweeps through major industries at the fastest pace since the 2008 financial crisis. According to S&P Global Market Intelligence, 371 large American companies filed for bankruptcy in the first half of 2025—marking the highest six-month total in 15 years and surpassing last year's figure of 335 filings. The current tally is more than double the number recorded during the same period in 2022. In June 2025 alone, 63 companies declared bankruptcy, continuing a rapid monthly trend that saw 64 filings in May. Industrials and consumer discretionary companies topped the list of affected sectors, with 58 and 49 bankruptcy filings, respectively. The healthcare sector followed with 27 filings, highlighting a broader systemic strain across the U.S. economy. 'We're witnessing critical stress levels in corporate America,' said one analyst familiar with the data. 'This is not a sector-specific phenomenon—it's structural.' What's Behind the Surge in Bankruptcies? The bankruptcy spike reflects a perfect storm of economic challenges, including: Soaring interest rates, which are raising the cost of capital and tightening liquidity for businesses dependent on debt. Persistent supply chain disruptions, which have increased input costs and delayed production timelines. Weak consumer spending, driven by real income stagnation and inflation fatigue. Ongoing tariff-related tensions, stemming from trade disputes initiated under President Donald Trump, which have strained relations not only with China but also with key U.S. allies. While many U.S. companies had weathered the shocks of the COVID-19 pandemic and early inflation surges, the cumulative effect of high borrowing costs and slowing demand is now forcing difficult financial reckonings, especially for highly leveraged firms. One of the most immediate and visible pressures is the Federal Reserve's aggressive interest rate policy, which has not only cooled inflation but also crippled borrowing-dependent businesses. 'Higher interest rates are not just squeezing households—they're suffocating businesses that rely on debt to fund equipment purchases, restock inventory, pay salaries, or expand operations,' explained an economist from a New York-based think tank. The impact is particularly severe for small- and mid-sized enterprises that lack access to cheaper capital or diversified revenue streams. Despite a resilient labor market and headline growth figures that have remained positive, the sharp rise in bankruptcies is sounding alarm bells. Economists warn that the U.S. could be heading into a period of stagflation-lite, where growth slows, but inflation and borrowing costs remain elevated. Some observers believe the crisis may deepen if the Federal Reserve does not pivot toward monetary easing in the coming quarters—though others argue that inflation remains too sticky to justify rate cuts just yet. The rising bankruptcy rate is also contributing to a growing sense of insecurity among American consumers and workers. Despite nominal wage growth, many households feel poorer—a phenomenon some economists are calling the "illusion of wealth". With more companies collapsing, layoffs could increase, potentially undermining one of the few bright spots in the economy: employment. read more CBE: Deposits in Local Currency Hit EGP 5.25 Trillion Morocco Plans to Spend $1 Billion to Mitigate Drought Effect Gov't Approves Final Version of State Ownership Policy Document Egypt's Economy Expected to Grow 5% by the end of 2022/23- Minister Qatar Agrees to Supply Germany with LNG for 15 Years Business Oil Prices Descend amid Anticipation of Additional US Strategic Petroleum Reserves Business Suez Canal Records $704 Million, Historically Highest Monthly Revenue Business Egypt's Stock Exchange Earns EGP 4.9 Billion on Tuesday Business Wheat delivery season commences on April 15 News Israeli-Linked Hadassah Clinic in Moscow Treats Wounded Iranian IRGC Fighters News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Videos & Features Tragedy Overshadows MC Alger Championship Celebration: One Fan Dead, 11 Injured After Stadium Fall Lifestyle Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt Business Fear & Greed Index Plummets to Lowest Level Ever Recorded amid Global Trade War News "Tensions Escalate: Iran Probes Allegations of Indian Tech Collaboration with Israeli Intelligence" News Flights suspended at Port Sudan Airport after Drone Attacks Arts & Culture Hawass Foundation Launches 1st Course to Teach Ancient Egyptian Language Videos & Features Video: Trending Lifestyle TikToker Valeria Márquez Shot Dead during Live Stream
See - Sada Elbalad
a day ago
- See - Sada Elbalad
US State Department to Lay off Over 1,350 Employees
Israa Farhan The United States Department of State is set to begin laying off more than 1,350 employees starting Friday, as part of a sweeping reform plan under President Donald Trump's administration aimed at reshaping the American diplomatic corps. The unprecedented move has drawn strong criticism from former diplomats and analysts who warn it could significantly weaken US foreign policy efforts. According to an internal memo distributed to staff, the layoffs will affect 1,107 civil service employees and 246 members of the domestic diplomatic staff. This marks one of the most significant workforce reductions in the department's recent history. The restructuring comes amid ongoing efforts by the Trump administration to reduce federal spending and streamline government operations. The State Department has faced mounting pressure in recent years to modernize its systems and cut operational costs. Still, many fear the changes could undermine the country's ability to project influence abroad and maintain effective diplomatic engagement. Since taking office, President Trump has pushed for institutional reforms across the federal government, including the Department of State. His approach focuses on reducing workforce numbers and overhauling legacy structures. However, the strategy has provoked concern among foreign policy experts, who argue that such deep staffing cuts risk diminishing America's global diplomatic reach at a time of increasing international complexity. read more Gold prices rise, 21 Karat at EGP 3685 NATO's Role in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict US Expresses 'Strong Opposition' to New Turkish Military Operation in Syria Shoukry Meets Director-General of FAO Lavrov: confrontation bet. nuclear powers must be avoided News Iran Summons French Ambassador over Foreign Minister Remarks News Aboul Gheit Condemns Israeli Escalation in West Bank News Greek PM: Athens Plays Key Role in Improving Energy Security in Region News One Person Injured in Explosion at Ukrainian Embassy in Madrid News Israeli-Linked Hadassah Clinic in Moscow Treats Wounded Iranian IRGC Fighters News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Videos & Features Tragedy Overshadows MC Alger Championship Celebration: One Fan Dead, 11 Injured After Stadium Fall Lifestyle Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt Business Fear & Greed Index Plummets to Lowest Level Ever Recorded amid Global Trade War News "Tensions Escalate: Iran Probes Allegations of Indian Tech Collaboration with Israeli Intelligence" News Flights suspended at Port Sudan Airport after Drone Attacks Arts & Culture Hawass Foundation Launches 1st Course to Teach Ancient Egyptian Language Videos & Features Video: Trending Lifestyle TikToker Valeria Márquez Shot Dead during Live Stream
Mid East Info
2 days ago
- Mid East Info
EGA Chairman starts-up final reduction cell in next generation technology pilot in step towards large-scale industrialisation
United Arab Emirates, July 2025: Emirates Global Aluminium's Chairman Homaid Al Shimmari started-up the final reduction cell in the company's next generation smelting technology pilot project in Al Taweelah. The pilot is a key step in readying EX smelting technology for large-scale industrialisation, making the project an important foundation of EGA's future growth and the further strengthening of EGA's position as the technology provider of choice in the global aluminium industry. EX is EGA's 10th generation smelting technology and produces more aluminium with less energy and lower emissions. Homaid Al Shimmari, Chairman of Emirates Global Aluminium, said: 'EX technology enhances EGA's ability to remain at the forefront of the global aluminium industry. Our aim is to apply this technology in our planned facility in Oklahoma, the first new primary aluminium production plant to be built in the United States since 1980. As part of this effort, we will test the technology using alumina refined from bauxite sourced from multiple locations, to further prove its potential for global deployment.' Abdulnasser Bin Kalban, Chief Executive Officer of Emirates Global Aluminium, said: 'The pilot of our new EX technology is a strategic project for EGA, and is the latest chapter in our long history of industry leadership through technology innovation. The performance of EX reduction cells during start-up and in the first weeks of production has been even better than expected, and I am excited about what this technology will achieve. I thank each colleague who worked so hard to develop this new technology and build the pilot in Al Taweelah.' EGA has developed its own aluminium smelting technology in the UAE for more than 30 years. All EGA smelter expansions since the 1990s have used EGA technology, and the company as retrofitted all its older potlines. EGA's technology development, and earlier work since 1980, has reduced the amount of electricity required to make each tonne of aluminium by 37.5 per cent. EGA was the first UAE industrial company to license its core process technology internationally, in a deal with Aluminium Bahrain in 2016 for the use of EGA's DX+ Ultra technology in the Bahraini company's Potline 6 expansion project. The EX pilot in Al Taweelah will also be used to prove the most advanced Industry 4.0 capabilities in the global aluminium industry. EGA launched its digital transformation in 2021 to boost cost competitiveness, agility, and flexibility, and to improve safety and sustainability. Since then, EGA has implemented more than 80 Industry 4.0 use cases, generating around $100 million in financial impact. In January 2025, EGA became the first industrial company in the UAE and the first aluminium company in the world to be designated an Industry 4.0 global lighthouse by the World Economic Forum. Construction of the 10 pilot pots began in late 2024, and the first reduction cell was energised in mid-June.
