Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
The United Arab Emirates has taken a significant step in aligning its industrial output with global decarbonization goals by dispatching its first shipment of aluminum produced using nuclear energy. The shipment, sent to Egypt, marks a milestone in sustainable industry practices and underscores the UAE’s commitment to transitioning its heavy industries toward cleaner energy sources.
According to a report by the specialized platform Energy News, the aluminum marketed under the brand name “CelestiAL Minimal” by Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) was produced using electricity generated by the UAE’s Barakah nuclear power plant. This is the first time the country has exported aluminum produced with zero-carbon nuclear energy, positioning the UAE at the forefront of low-emission metal production.
A Strategic Partnership: From Barakah to Egypt
The shipment was the result of a collaboration between Emirates Global Aluminium and the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation. The aluminum has been delivered to Egypt’s Kanex, a leading aluminum extrusions company. Kanex will use the metal in the production of high-end infrastructure components, solar energy systems, transportation materials, and architectural applications, making it the first Egyptian client to incorporate Minimal aluminum into its supply chain.
“This milestone highlights the strategic role of nuclear power in ensuring the UAE’s energy security while supporting national and global efforts to decarbonize heavy industry,” said Mohamed Al Hammadi, Managing Director and CEO of Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation.
Abdulnasser Bin Kalban, CEO of Emirates Global Aluminium, echoed this sentiment, noting that demand for low-carbon aluminum is rising rapidly worldwide. “We expect demand to triple by 2040,” he said, adding that clients across various sectors are increasingly seeking greener alternatives in response to regulatory and environmental pressures.
Clean Energy Backbone: Barakah Nuclear Plant
The aluminum was produced using electricity from the Barakah nuclear power plant, which currently generates 40 terawatt-hours of carbon-free electricity annually. That accounts for approximately 25% of the UAE’s electricity needs, roughly equivalent to the total annual electricity consumption of Switzerland.
By operating on nuclear energy, Barakah avoids the emission of 22.4 million tons of carbon dioxide each year, the equivalent of removing 4.6 million cars from the roads. This clean energy contribution is now being translated directly into greener industrial outputs, such as aluminum, steel, and other energy-intensive materials.
Global Industrial Innovation
The UAE’s leadership in sustainable metals extends beyond nuclear energy. Emirates Global Aluminium was also the first company globally to produce aluminum using solar energy. In 2024 alone, the company manufactured 80,000 tonnes of CelestiAL solar aluminum. Additionally, EGA produces recycled aluminum under the brand Revival at its facilities in the U.S. and Germany.
These innovations position the UAE as a trusted global supplier of sustainable, low-carbon industrial materials at a time when industries worldwide are under mounting pressure to reduce emissions and meet climate targets.
Egypt’s Green Manufacturing Push
For Egypt, the arrival of the UAE’s nuclear aluminum fits squarely within its growing green manufacturing ambitions. The aluminum will support development in renewable energy infrastructure, particularly solar power systems, and modern construction, offering both high performance and lower environmental impact.
This partnership between the two Arab nations reflects a broader regional alignment on clean energy goals and sustainable industrial development, opening the door for expanded cooperation in low-carbon technologies and materials.
A New Era of Clean Industry
As the world accelerates its shift toward decarbonization, the UAE’s ability to produce and export aluminum made with nuclear and solar energy sets a powerful precedent. It not only strengthens the country’s reputation as a reliable, forward-looking supplier of industrial materials, but also showcases how emerging economies can lead in innovation for a sustainable future.
The shipment to Egypt is more than just a commercial transaction, it marks the beginning of a new chapter in the story of clean industry in the Middle East.
