The project will add 32 pots to potline 5B and 40 pots to potline 6B, and will increase production capacity by 60,000 tonnes a year (t/y).

Scheduled for completion by the fourth quarter of 2007, the new project, together with expansion work on potlines 7B and 9B, will raise Dubal's overall production capacity to 920,000 t/y from 760,000 t/y (MEED 9:9:06).

Potline 5B will use D20 technology and will be consistent with existing lines. Potline 6B will use in-house technology and will be built as a separate, independent line to test prototype technology. Additional cells on potline 5 will also be installed to enable further research. There will also be a dedicated new fume treatment plant with advanced controls system for the treatment and monitoring of emissions.

The expansion plan is part of Dubal's plans to increase the total production capacity at its Dubai smelter to 1.5 million t/y. SNC is conducting a feasibility study for potlines 9, 10 and 11 (MEED 24:2:06).

Dubal also has expansion plans outside the emirate.

A joint steering committee has been established for a $6,000 million grassroots aluminium complex at Taweelah in Abu Dhabi - the project will be developed by Dubal and the local Mubadala Development Company. Discussions have also been held about building a grassroots smelter in Algeria (MEED 6:1:06).

www.meed.com/industry