Nov 18 2005
Speaking at the Middle East Economic Digest (MEED) Conference this week, Alcan Inc.’s Senior Vice President and President and Chief Executive Officer, Alcan Primary Metal Group, Cynthia Carroll, said that the Company is well positioned for sustainable business growth in the Middle East Gulf region. Ms. Carroll identified Alcan’s participation in the proposed Sohar aluminum smelter project, located in the Sultanate of Oman, and the adoption of the its leading edge aluminum smelting technology package and engineering solutions by others in the region as critical examples.
“The Sohar aluminum smelter project is an important example of how the Middle East Gulf region is strategically turning the challenges of the aluminum industry into sustainable business opportunities,” said Ms. Carroll. “Alcan’s global, full-economic cost leadership, operational know-how and management expertise, and presence in Oman, are an excellent platform from which to build an unsurpassed partnership and business development opportunities in the region,” she added.
In February, Alcan signed a Shareholders’ Agreement for the development of the proposed 350 kt/year smelter project. This project is the first time that proven AP35 Technology will be used in a new smelter. A second potline of similar capacity is planned to be established in the future. The smelter will provide a major economic boost to the Al Battinah Region of Oman.
"Alcan’s proven smelting technology package is the best available in terms of full economic cost, environmental impact, and sustainability for smelter expansion. Aluminum remains the material of choice in an ever widening range of product applications, due to its cost effectiveness and sound environmental record," said Ms. Carroll.
In her remarks to the conference, Carroll outlined three key challenges facing the aluminum industry which the Middle East Gulf region is well suited to address: energy costs, raw material availability, and achieving a sustainable business model that addresses environmental regulations and social expectations.
"These issues are not necessarily new, but taken together they are increasingly challenging and are among the points that Alcan is focusing on as it strives for value maximization," said Ms. Carroll later on in the day to a group of local and international senior executives meeting to further discuss opportunities in Oman and the Middle East Gulf region. "At Alcan, we view globalization as an engine for promoting diversity, helping generate new markets, and stimulating innovation and technology transfer. The Middle East Gulf region and particularly Oman are showing signs of progress that address these realities, and that is why we are here," she concluded.
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