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 the entire primary aluminium manufacturer fraternity from the Middle East and Asia-Pacific region. The conference covered an extensive range of topics, panel discussions and outstanding workshops that focus on the aluminum sector at the local and global levels. Some of the most prominent figures, experts and academics related to global Aluminium industry addressed the conference and presented their expert views to participants.

The Conference was attended by over 500 delegates from more than 50 countries and over 40 exhibitors from around the world. The Organizing Committee noted that this significant increase in the numbers of individuals and corporate participants is a clear evidence of the growing importance of the gulf aluminum industry, both regionally and globally.

Alcircle.com, a premium global aluminium portal had been 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 a large number of prominent conference delegates from the global aluminium industry.

The Conference has started off with a ‘virtual tour’ through a hollowed corner of the City of London – the London Metal Exchange. The workshop presentation in front of 200 ARABAL delegates was conducted by Mr. 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 trade links in the chain of the global metal industry.

ARABAL delegates, including the AlCircle team, were taken to a visit of the smelter of Qatalum . The forty-minute tour of the facility gave an opportunity to the delegates to visit the Potlines, baking furnace, paste plant and anode rodding plant, cast house, power plant and the zero energy building.

The first day of the ARABAL conference highlighted regional industry and economic issues of the gulf region, power generation and technology developments taking place in Qatar. Mr. Al Shaibi, Chairman of Qatalum, took the audience through the steps that the company has taken in Qatar and the achievements realized in the aluminium industry and industrial sector. Hydro Aluminium also gave a comprehensive presentation and spoke of ‘infinite aluminium’ through strong increase in demand and recycling innovations.

The day continued with a panel discussion on the “Future Prospects of Aluminium Industry in the GCC”.

The unique features of the economics of China’s aluminium industry, and its impact on the global cost curve were highlights of the morning session of the final day of the Conference. Mr. Paul Adkins, Director of AZ China Limited and Mr. Eric Zhang, Analyst at SMM, made presentations on the distinguishing features of the Chinese industry and the emerging trends there.

A panel discussion brought out that aluminium majors are primarily pinning hopes on the global auto industry for sustaining and boosting the aluminium market. The afternoon session of the final day saw presentations on safety standards, design controls and sustainability.

ARABAL 2012 presented the growing strength of the Arab aluminum industry as well as that of Asia. The Conference provided AlCircle a significant platform to interact with top industry players from Asia and the world and highlight its features and services to a very valuable and influential audience. AlCircle team had one to one interaction with over 50 company delegates during the event in addition to the significant numbers who visited the AlCircle display stall. Significant from among the conference delegates with whom AlCircle team had very purposeful business discussions were from AZ China, SMM, Metal Bulletin and TMZ Global for possible tie ups in future. New on spot registrations and business interaction with big players from the industry like EMAL and DUBAL opened the door for more international business associations. As a leading global aluminium industry portal and a visible promotional platform, alcircle.com successfully presented its immense potential to the participants of this prestigious industry event.

AlCircle was represented at the event by M/S Amit Surana (Business Head) and Bhanu Prakash Tiwari (Manager –Business Development and Operations).