“Aluminium Industry Is Spreading Its Wings In Middle East Region”: Sahim Amin Gadawala On Recent Regional Boom | |
Staff Writer |
For years, the Middle East has cultivated a thriving center for scrap metal recycling and trading. While facing typical industry fluctuations, the region has consistently outperformed its global counterparts, due in part to its advantageous location at the intersection of Eastern and Western markets.
Additionally, with major developmental projects taking place across the Middle East and in key markets like India and China, the metals recycling industry shows no signs of slowing down.
Echoing similar sentiments, Sahim Amin Gadawala, CEO & Vice President of Ala Group stated,
“Major investments in new smelters and production facilities have led to a rapid expansion of the aluminium industry in the area in recent years. The UAE is a significant global producer of aluminium thanks to the efforts of businesses like Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA). Continued development and investment are anticipated to benefit the mining and aluminium sectors in the Middle East in the coming years.”
Trusted partner to a range of companies across the recycling industry from processors, refineries, smelters, to manufacturers, the Ala Group head office located in Jabel Ali with yard operation in Sharjah / Ajman & offices in across globe. handles all major categories of scrap and recycled Ferrous & non-ferrous metals along with Plastic scrap, which include aluminium, copper, lead, nickel, and zinc, with substantial interest in other ferrous & non-ferrous metals.
Aluminium Sector Farming Sustainable Goals
Recycling or finding alternative uses for garbage is a pressing problem because of the massive amounts of trash produced daily. Major players such as EGA are very concerned about environmental problems like rising carbon dioxide and nitrogen levels. They see the circular economy as a viable option because their refuse can be recycled by businesses like cement and steel manufacturers.
By taking a circular economy's innovative strategy, they are able to properly classify waste and significantly cut down on it. This novel method is useful for cement and steel producers because they typically have to source 95% of their materials from outside sources. They can make money and help the earth by reusing or recycling EGA waste in this case.
Reduced landfill refuse and gas emissions mean better air quality and less environmental damage from carbon and nitrogen emissions and reduced coal use.
Demand in the environmental sector is rising as a result of the fact that all industries, including building and transit, must actively seek out environmental projects. One needs to be more environmentally responsible with our mining operations, and the building and transportation industries that are helping to make this possible if we want to keep up with the expected rise in demand. Thus, it can be said that the recycling business will be around for the long haul.
“Mining and aluminium are both attempting to position themselves to take advantage of the growing demand for environmentally friendly goods and materials in the market, especially in the construction and transportation sectors,” said Gadawala.
“Furthermore, by creating demand for sustainable mining the whole value chain is enriched and eventually the recycling industry also benefits from both from sustainable products and processes.
“Especially the aluminium industry is expanding rapidly especially with companies like ECA spending on developing their sustainable production facilities, which is really a very significant development in the recycling industry,” he said.
Elaborating further on metal scrap, that is generally exported to other countries, Gadawala opined, “Environmentally responsible recycling of metal scrap creates more employment, reduces pollution, pays dividends to the federal government, and benefits the economy in other ways.”
“Dubai has now become a key aluminum manufacturer and exporter especially in the Middle East. With a bit more infrastructure and more support from the government along with support of some association/organization like BMR, BIR, ISRI & many others we can easily become a world-leader as well,” he said.
Such association can help to guide the govt policy to safeguard our future along with sustainable economy.
Hurdles That Are Hampering The Growth
There are several obstacles that must be overcome before more sustainable solutions can be implemented in the metal industry such as high energy consumption, waste management, water use, and environmental impact.
Stretching further on these obstacles, Gadawala said, “We have been seeing several issues. For example, in many cases recycling is not being handled correctly, particularly those businesses that use furnaces. There is a massive need for education in this segment. Furthermore, there are some examples of theft and mismanagement of material allocated for other pursposes. Such practices have to be stopped.”
The entire Middle East region is pushing sustainable solutions currently. However, given the low battery recycling rates, experts agree that education and awareness are crucial in addressing the problem and minimising the potential damage to human and environmental health from battery waste.
“Only the government, in my opinion, could have provided us with a superior answer. Factory safety procedures and standards must be defined and communicated. The business needs to take precautions, both financially and in terms of worker safety,” further commented Gadawala.
Way Forward
With recycling gaining favour, the region is on its way to becoming a more resource efficient and circular economy. The long-term environmental advantages of can recycling programmes can only be fully realised over time and only if ongoing support and promotion are maintained.
“The government now has machinery which minimises the use of energy while offering more productivity. So I think we should promote their use.
“Saudi Arabia and UAE are coming up with the new awareness campaigns and there are so many companies for waste management also.
“It's also preventing unlawful practices and the growth of nonprofit infrastructure, government SOPs, education and the awareness about climate change and the long-term implementation of these plans.
“I think government is doing a phenomenal work. We also see our kids also learning about garbage separation in their schools.
Gadawala reads up on a wide variety of topics, from plastics to foreign exchange updates and international news. He also enjoys spending quiet moments at home or on his couch in the office, reflecting on the day.