Emirates Global Aluminium reports damage to UAE plant after Iranian strikes

DUBAI: Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) said on Saturday that its Al Taweelah production base in the United Arab Emirates sustained “significant damage” during Iranian missile and drone attacks, marking one of the most serious industrial impacts of the ongoing conflict.

The company said several employees were injured in the attack on the Khalifa Economic Zone in Abu Dhabi, though none of the injuries were life-threatening.

“The safety and security of our people is our top priority at EGA at all times,” Chief Executive Abdulnasser Bin Kalban said in a statement, adding that the company was assessing the extent of the damage.

The incident comes as tensions continue to escalate following the broader conflict between Iran and its adversaries, which has disrupted regional shipping routes and industrial activity.

EGA’s Al Taweelah smelter, one of the largest in the region, produced about 1.6 million metric tons of cast metal in 2025, according to company data. The site also includes an adjacent alumina refinery that produced 2.4 million tons of raw material last year.

The company operates another smelter in Jebel Ali in Dubai and said it had substantial metal stock on the water at the time the conflict began, as well as inventories stored in some overseas locations.

Most aluminium producers in the Gulf, which account for roughly 9 per cent of global supply, have faced disruptions in shipping through traditional routes since the escalation of hostilities, as access to key maritime passages has been affected.

The Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global energy and industrial shipments, has effectively been disrupted amid the ongoing tensions, further complicating exports from the region.

EGA said it remained committed to maintaining operations while assessing the damage and ensuring the safety of its workforce.