UAE and Bahrain aluminium plants hit in Iranian attacks

• EGA sustains ‘significant’ damage
• Alba also struck
• Bahrain steel declares force majeure

Two of the GCC’s largest aluminium producers were hit by Iranian strikes on Saturday. 

Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) said its Al Taweelah facility, which is among the largest aluminium smelters in the world, sustained “significant” damage during the missile and drone attacks at Khalifa Economic Zone, Abu Dhabi. Several employees were injured, according to reports.

“We are deeply saddened and are assessing the damage to our facilities,” CEO Abdulnasser Bin Kalban said.

No details were given on whether production has been suspended.  

Last year Al Taweelah produced 1.6 million tonnes of cast metal.

The company held substantial metal stock offshore when the Iran war began last month, as well as in some overseas locations, the statement said. The external stock was intended to meet customer demand.

In February EGA said its net profit rose 16 percent to AED4.9 billion ($1.3 billion) last year, compared with AED4.3 billion in 2024. 

EGA is co-owned by Abu Dhabi’s Mubadala Investment Company and the Investment Corporation of Dubai.

Alba assessing damage

Meanwhile, Aluminium Bahrain (Alba) confirmed that its plant was also struck by an Iranian attack.

Two of Alba’s employees sustained minor injuries, the state-run Bahrain News Agency reported, citing a company statement.

Alba is assessing the extent of damage to its facilities.

The company, which runs one of the world’s largest aluminium smelters, declared force majeure on March 4 after the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz prevented shipments to customers and disrupted inbound alumina supplies, a key feedstock.

Force majeure is a common clause in contracts that essentially frees both parties from liability or obligation when an extraordinary event or circumstance beyond the control of the parties, such as a war, prevents one or both parties from fulfilling their obligations under the contract.

In February Alba said net profit rose to BD218.7 million ($582 million) from BD184.5 million in 2024, as total income jumped 16 percent year on year to BD213.2 million.

Force majeure explained

Bahrain Steel announces force majeure 

Foulath Holding, the parent company of Bahrain Steel and United Steel Company, has also declared force majeure on certain group operations due to the ongoing regional conflict and associated logistics challenges.

“The rapid developments in the region, including airspace restrictions, disruption of certain maritime routes and heightened security risks, have led to circumstances beyond the group’s control,” the Bahrain News Agency reported, quoting a company statement. 

LME aluminium closed 0.8 percent higher at $3,296 percent tonne on Friday. 

Gulf producers account for 9 percent of global supply.

Further reading:

• Gulf aluminium producers feel the heat from Iran war
• Bahrain’s Alba to buy Europe’s largest aluminium smelter
• Alba seeks raw materials as Strait of Hormuz is off limits