AUG. 20 – 28, 2023

Saudi Arabia-UAE

The Middle East is an important primary aluminium purveyor in the world. Its unique geographical location and rich energy reserves make it an indispensable part of the global aluminium market. With the advancement of carbon emission policies worldwide, countries in the area have also paid great attention to the development of the secondary aluminium industry. Due to the increasing awareness of environmental protection, many markets call for resource recycling and expanding the use of secondary aluminium materials to replace traditional ones. The application of secondary aluminium becomes particularly prominent in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), where the government has formulated a series of regulations and policies to encourage enterprises to develop high-quality secondary aluminium. At the same time, Saudi Arabia and the UAE promote the use of secondary aluminium in the supporting building materials, electrical appliances and auto parts sectors. According to statistics, aluminium scrap production in the entire Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) members reached 800,000 mt in 2022, to which Saudi Arabia and the UAE contributed about 70% or 500,000-600,000 mt per year. The export of aluminium scrap from Saudi Arabia and the UAE ranks ninth and tenth in the world respectively. The secondary aluminium industry in Saudi Arabia and the UAE has begun to take shape, and the market potential is rising. In recent years, with the advancement of the "Belt and Road" initiative, the Middle East has become one of the key areas for Chinese companies to develop overseas markets. Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have become the important exporters for global aluminium trade. Their abundant secondary aluminium resources, low energy costs and convenient export shipping conditions make the local aluminium production cost at a relatively low level, attracting many internationally renowned aluminium processing companies to invest in the Saudi and UAE markets. The Middle East also boasts distinctive natural and cultural treasures. Visitors can take in the allure of the Middle East, where old and modern civilizations coexist harmoniously, see spectacular desert cities, taste a range of local cuisines, and experience an extraordinary and beautiful cultural landscape. Many tourists set out to explore the Middle East with a longing for the beauty. Our travel to the Middle East is now on the agenda after the first stop of the 2023 SMM Overseas Secondary Aluminium Investigation Group in Malaysia on May 15-20 came to a close. We are looking forward to travelling with you on our second stop (Saudi Arabia-UAE) on August 20–27, 2023!