# Emirates Global Aluminium

Canonical page: https://technooptimist.io/companies/emirates-global-aluminium
Abu Dhabi aluminium producer formed in 2013 from Dubai Aluminium and Emirates Aluminium, owned by Mubadala and Investment Corporation of Dubai. It designs its own smelting cells and is planning the first new US smelter in decades.

## In brief

- Planning a 750,000 t/yr smelter in Inola, Oklahoma with Century Aluminum (60/40), the first new US smelter since 1980.
- Its 10th-generation EX cells are larger and run at higher current, for up to 22% more output than its DX+ Ultra cells.
- Says it has cut electricity per tonne of aluminium by 37.5% since 1990.

## Facts

- Founded: 2013
- Headquarters: AE
- Status: private
- Website: https://www.ega.ae
- Frontiers: [Materials](https://technooptimist.io/materials.md) (Aluminium & titanium)

## Programs

- [Oklahoma primary aluminium smelter](https://technooptimist.io/materials/oklahoma-smelter.md) (Materials): Proto; next: Long-term power deal with Public Service Co. of Oklahoma (2026). Engineering under way; power deal unsigned; construction now targeted for early 2027 after end-2026 aim.

## Technical approach

- **Own cell design: EX reduction cells**: Bigger cells with higher amperage and current efficiency. Two variants: one for output, one for lower energy and emissions; 10 pilot cells at Al Taweelah.

## Open problems

- **Cheap, steady power in the US** (open): A smelter needs a long-term power contract at a competitive price; the Oklahoma deal with the local utility is still being negotiated.

## Upcoming

- **2027**: Final investment decision and construction start (Oklahoma primary aluminium smelter)

## Latest updates

- **10 Sep 2026**: EGA project director: Oklahoma smelter construction targeted for early 2027, power deal still in negotiation. Ziad Fares, project director for Oklahoma Primary Aluminum, said construction is now targeted for early 2027, later than the end-2026 goal set in January. ([our story](https://technooptimist.io/stories/ega-project-director-oklahoma-smelter-construction-targeted-for-early-7a942a2a.md) · [original source](https://www.alcircle.com/news/interview/can-oklahoma-reshape-us-aluminium-supply-egas-ziad-fares-explains-the-project-121131))
- **27 Jan 2026**: Century Aluminum joins EGA's Oklahoma smelter as 40% partner; capacity raised to 750,000 tonnes. EGA and Century Aluminum signed a joint development agreement for the Inola smelter, with EGA holding 60% and Century 40%. ([our story](https://technooptimist.io/stories/century-aluminum-joins-ega-s-oklahoma-smelter-as-40-partner-capacity-2908e04a.md) · [original source](https://metalpackager.com/2026/01/century-aluminum-ega-oklahoma/))
- **16 May 2025**: Oklahoma selected for EGA's planned $4 billion primary aluminium smelter. Oklahoma's governor and commerce department announced that EGA had chosen the Tulsa Port of Inola as its preferred site for the first new US primary aluminium plant in 45 years. ([our story](https://technooptimist.io/stories/oklahoma-selected-for-ega-s-planned-4-billion-primary-aluminium-smelter-8ac865e0.md) · [original source](https://www.okcommerce.gov/oklahoma-selected-for-4-billion-investment-from-emirates-global-aluminium/))

## Partners, customers and investors

- Century Aluminum (partner): 40% partner in the Oklahoma smelter joint venture (joint development agreement, January 2026).
- Bechtel (partner): Leads preparatory engineering for the Oklahoma smelter.
- State of Oklahoma (partner): MOU signed 21 April 2025; over $275M direct support plus an expected $735M in tax exemptions, paid on performance.

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