Alba commissions zero-waste SPL treatment plant
Work on the project began in December 2019, it has so far achieved more than 750,000 safe-working hours without LTI
Aluminium Bahrain (Alba) has successfully commissioned its new Spent Pot Lining (SPL) treatment plant. The project is billed as a first-of-its-kind for the region and was built at an investment of $37.5m.
Built over a 26,000sqm area, the SPL has an annual capacity of 35,000 tonnes. A zero-waste process, it will enable Alba to transform the treated SPL into valuable product, which can be used in other industries such as cement, the firm explained.
According to a statement, the zero-waste plant was inaugurated by Alba chairman Shaikh Daij bin Salman bin Daij Al Khalifa at the company premises in the presence of senior officials including its CEO Ali Al Baqali, chief operations officer Dr Abdulla Habib and the executive management team.
“Bahrain, and Alba, have set many firsts in the region – with the commissioning of the SPL Treatment Plant, we are proud to have once again set the benchmark in sustainability by transforming the Spent Pot Lining into value-added products. As ESG is our only way forward, we have proudly established this one-of-a-kind project, and gone above and beyond to achieve the right balance between our economic gains and social returns,” said Shaikh Daij.
Alba said work started on the project in December 2019 and has, till date, achieved more than 750,000 safe-working hours without LTI. The SPL plant was completed as per timeline despite COVID-19 challenges.
Shaikh Daij added, “We are also pleased to have achieved savings of $6.5m, despite COVID challenges, corresponding to 15% benefits, versus SPL Treatment Plant allotted Capex of $44m.”
Al Baqali noted, “To change the way we do things, we need to challenge the existing reality. Without environmental sustainability, we cannot face the challenges the world is facing today. The SPL Treatment Plant translates our Mission to keep ESG as our top priority all the while doing more good to our community.”
He concluded, “I thank the Supreme Council of Environment, Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism for their continuous guidance and support, Regain – our technology provider and all our partners for transforming our vision into reality.”
