DUBAI - Reflecting the massive planned increase in the region's aluminium refining capacity and ongoing investments in the sector, the three-day Aluminium Dubai exhibition which opens tomorrow, has witnessed a record 100 percent growth in exhibiting companies and a 150 percent increase in demand for exhibit space as compared to the 2007 edition. The event will be inaugurated by H E Ahmed Humaid Al Tayer, Vice Chairman DUBAL and Chairman, Emirates NBD Bank.
Organised by Reed Exhibitions Middle East, Aluminium Dubai will take place 29 - 31 March 2009 and play host to 166 companies from 24 countries, occupying 6,000 sq.m of exhibit space at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre (DICEC). Over 40 percent of exhibiting companies this year, will showcase midstream technologies such as aluminium extrusion, casting and heat treatment, while smelting, plant engineering, fabrication and other technologies make up the rest.
"The aluminium sector is a critical focus area in the diversification drive of the region's governments. However, despite the worldwide financial crisis impacting the overall investment climate, the region continues to demonstrate active interest in the aluminium sector. This has translated to Aluminium Dubai receiving impressive feedback from all the key stakeholders, both within the region, and beyond," said Tarek Ali, Show Manager.
The exhibitor portfolio at this year's edition includes products used for building and construction, transportation, electrical and mechanical engineering, factory equipment, packaging, and container construction, as well as those used in design-oriented applications, said Ali.
According to industry estimates, the MENA (Middle East '&' North Africa) region is poised to emerge as the world's largest aluminium producing region by 2018.
Aluminium production in the region is expected to top 6.1 million tonnes by 2013.
The GCC currently accounts for four percent of global aluminium production but this share is expected to go up to 10 per cent by 2010. Currently, the Gulf's two operating smelters are Dubai Aluminum (Dubal), which produces about 900,000 tonnes of aluminium a year, and Aluminium Bahrain (Alba), with a capacity of 860,000 tonnes. Another 11 smelters are either under construction or in the planning stage in the Gulf.
The region currently constitutes 3.5 per cent of the total global demand for aluminium. This demand is expected to grow significantly with extrusion growing by 7.9 per cent per annum by 2020, while rolling products will register a growth of 8.3 per cent per annum with casting is set to grow 4.7 per cent.
Among the key UAE exhibitors at Aluminum Dubai are Dubai Aluminium (DUBAL), Emirates Aluminium (EMAL), Al Jaber Aluminium Extrusions, Alba Tower Aluminium Factory Ltd, ATBIN International, Gulf Extrusion, Inma-Gulf Development and Construction LLC, CIE Environment Dubai and Smartouch, among others. Emirates Extrusion, Flexipack FZE and Everlast Access Technology are part of the Dubai Export Development Company stand, promoting UAE products to international and local buyers.
International exhibitors include SMS Demage, FATA Group, Zenergy Power Pty Ltd, Hydro ASA, RHI AG, Harbin Dongsheng Metal Co. Ltd and, Nanjing Welbow Metals Co. Ltd,, to name a few. Germany and Norway will have national pavilions at the event.
Over 3000 visitors from more than 18 countries including Mexico, Canada, the US, Australia, India, the UAE and other Gulf countries are expected to attend.
Aluminium Dubai will also provide an opportunity for exhibitors to host live demonstrations of their products and technologies for heat-treatment, at a dedicated demo area within the exhibition hall at DICEC. Menphis and Aluitalia will demonstrate new machines for aluminium fabrication while EMAL will display photographs detailing the progress of construction at the EMAL smelter in Taweelah.
Nineteen of Reed Exhibitions' global partners at it other aluminium shows including Aluminium Essen, Aluminium China and Aluminium India are participating at the show.
