Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA), the largest industrial company in the UAE outside the oil and gas sector, has inaugurated the UAE’s largest aluminium recycling plant, marking a major step in the company’s expansion of low-carbon aluminium production and the country’s push towards a circular economy.

The Al Taweelah recycling plant was officially inaugurated in the presence of Dr Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak, minister of Climate Change and Environment; Dr Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, secretary general of the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD); EGA chairman Homaid Al Shimmari; EGA vice chairman Saeed Al Tayer; along with members of EGA’s Board and senior management team.

Read more-Emirates Global Aluminium confirms force majeure on some contracts after Iran attack

The new facility is set to transform the way aluminium waste is processed in the UAE by creating a local recycling capability for material that was previously exported overseas.

Minister highlights aluminium’s role in sustainability drive

Dr Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, said recycling is a key pillar of the UAE’s Circular Economy Policy, which aims to position the country as a global leader in green development.

“Recycling is the cornerstone of the UAE’s Circular Economy Policy which aims to transform the nation into a global hub for green development by shifting from linear to circular production and consumption, enhancing resource efficiency, and minimising waste,” she said.

“Aluminium represents one of our greatest opportunities to drive this transition from linear to circular model of production. It is infinitely recyclable, protecting our ecosystems while fuelling a sustainable, low-carbon economy. Recycling aluminium waste requires up to 95 per cent less energy[1] compared to producing new primary aluminium from raw ore, saving significant energy and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.”

She added that EGA has played a leading role in developing the UAE’s industrial sector and is now helping advance the country’s recycling ambitions.

“Emirates Global Aluminium has been a pioneer of our nation’s industry for decades, and today, they are leading the charge as our national champion in aluminium recycling. I congratulate EGA on the strategic growth of its recycling business both here in the UAE and globally, proving that industrial leadership and climate action go hand in hand,” she said.

Plant to produce 185,000 tonnes of recycled aluminium annually

The Al Taweelah recycling plant has an annual production capacity of 185,000 tonnes. It will process post-consumer aluminium scrap, along with some pre-consumer aluminium scrap, to produce low-carbon, high-quality premium aluminium billets and T-bars.

These products will be marketed by EGA under the brand name RevivAL.

The company is also combining recycled aluminium with primary aluminium produced using renewable energy sources. Aluminium produced using solar power is marketed as CelestiAL-R, while aluminium made using nuclear power is sold as MinimAL-R.

Historically, much of the aluminium scrap generated in the UAE was exported for processing outside the country, meaning the economic value of the material was not retained locally.

With the launch of the Al Taweelah facility, EGA has created the capacity to process aluminium scrap inside the UAE, making it the country’s largest consumer of aluminium scrap.

Major construction project completed with strong safety record

The construction of the Al Taweelah recycling plant involved four million hours of work and was completed with zero injuries requiring time away from work.

The project required more than 26,300 cubic metres of concrete, equivalent to more than 10 Olympic-size swimming pools, as well as more than 4,600 metric tonnes of structural steel, representing almost two-thirds of the iron weight of the Eiffel Tower.

The plant began producing recycled aluminium in February. Final commissioning activities were temporarily paused following an Iranian attack on Khalifa Economic Zone Abu Dhabi on 28 March and resumed during April.

Recycled cast metal production restarted in early May, while the facility is expected to reach full production within six months, in line with the original ramp-up schedule and depending on scrap availability.

EGA expands global recycling ambitions

Abdulnasser Bin Kalban, CEO of Emirates Global Aluminium, said the new facility represents a significant milestone in the company’s global recycling strategy.

“The inauguration of Al Taweelah recycling plant is a major milestone in EGA’s development of a global aluminium recycling business. This new plant turns aluminium waste generated in the UAE and elsewhere into new aluminium that makes modern life possible around the world,” he said.

“With this project, we have added a new industrial activity to EGA’s operations in the UAE, in line with Make it in the Emirates and the UAE’s Operation 300bn industrial growth strategy,” he added.

With the Al Taweelah recycling plant and a planned aluminium recycling plant acquisition in Italy, EGA’s aluminium recycling capacity has reached more than 400,000 tonnes annually across the UAE, Europe and the United States.

The company also has an additional 200,000 tonnes of recycling capacity under development in Europe and the US.

International expansion continues

EGA acquired recycling plants in Germany and the United States in 2024 and continues to expand both operations.

In Germany, EGA Leichtmetall is being expanded more than six-fold, with a second facility near Hannover expected to add 150,000 tonnes of annual capacity when completed in 2028.

In Minnesota, US, EGA Spectro Alloys completed a 65,000-tonne-per-year expansion in 2025 and is currently developing a second phase that will add another 35,000 tonnes of annual capacity in 2027.

In April, EGA also announced plans to acquire an 80 per cent stake in Italian aluminium recycling company Eco Green. The transaction remains subject to regulatory approvals.

Adani Group outlined its ambitions to be a major player in India’s nuclear power on Wednesday, saying it intends to build as much as 10 gigawatts of capacity by 2035 which would likely make it the country’s biggest private-sector operator.

“Our entry into nuclear energy through Adani Atomic Energy is another confident step towards securing India’s long-term energy future,” Gautam Adani, the conglomerate’s chairman, said at the group’s annual general meeting.

Read more-India’s Adani Enterprises under US probe over possible Iran-linked transactions

India, which is keen to expand its use of clean energy, last year opened its nuclear generation sector to domestic and foreign firms in the private sector. It aims to expand nuclear capacity to 100 gigawatts by 2047 from about 8 gigawatts at present.

State-run Nuclear Power Corp of India, currently India’s sole operator of nuclear plants, aims to have 50 GW of capacity while the country’s top coal plant operator NTPC, also state-run, is aiming for 30 GW of nuclear capacity.

Adani would likely be the third-biggest operator of nuclear plants. Several other private companies including Tata Power and Reliance Industries are looking at investing in the sector.

The Adani group has identified land for the projects, but did not disclose details, including where the projects might be located.

Adani said the conglomerate’s data centre business is on track to build 3 GW of capacity by 2030. The group is also ramping up its piped natural gas projects to meet India’s rising demand for gas.

India’s gas supplies have been disrupted due to global shipping constraints after the US and Israel’s war with Iran halted traffic through the Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz.

Shares of Adani Enterprises, the group’s flagship firm, rose 2.3 per cent on Wednesday.

Dubai Holding Community Management has signed a strategic memorandum of understanding (MoU) with ReFarm Global to launch the ‘Sea to Soil’ initiative, a circular economy programme designed to convert marine and organic waste into regenerative landscaping solutions across its communities.

The partnership introduces what the companies describe as a first-of-its-kind model within the community management sector, transforming naturally occurring environmental and organic waste into resources that can be reused to enhance landscaping and green spaces.

Under the agreement, ReFarm Global, a regenerative technology and infrastructure company specialising in circular resource recovery solutions, will deploy its waste-to-resource technology to process algae and other organic waste streams collected across Dubai Holding Community Management’s portfolio.

Francis Giani, chief executive officer of Dubai Holding Community Management, said: “At Dubai Holding Community Management, we believe environmental sustainability is most powerful when it is embedded in the way communities are planned, managed and continuously enhanced. Together with ReFarm, we are turning a natural environmental occurrence into a practical, regenerative solution that creates value within the communities we manage.”

He added: “The ‘Sea to Soil’ initiative reinforces our commitment to building more sustainable and resilient neighbourhoods through innovation and strategic partnerships, in line with the UAE’s Net Zero 2050 ambition and United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 17, which underscores the importance of collaboration in advancing sustainable development.”

The initiative builds on an ongoing collaboration between the two organisations that began in 2024. By the end of 2026, more than 20 tonnes of algae waste are expected to be diverted from conventional disposal channels and converted into nutrient-rich regenerative soil products.

These bio-engineered soil solutions will be reused across Palm Jumeirah’s landscaping areas, helping improve soil quality, support plant health and reduce reliance on traditional waste management methods.

The first phase of the programme focuses on Palm Jumeirah during the peak algae season between mid-May and September, creating a practical circular economy model that transforms marine waste into a reusable environmental resource within the same community.

Oliver Christof, chief executive officer of ReFarm, said: “Sea to Soil demonstrates how regenerative infrastructure can transform environmental challenges into measurable environmental and community value. Together with Dubai Holding Community Management, we are establishing a scalable circular model that converts naturally occurring marine and organic waste into a valuable resource for healthier landscapes, reduced waste streams and more resilient communities.”

The initiative forms part of Dubai Holding Community Management’s broader sustainability strategy, which focuses on environmental stewardship, responsible supply chains, governance and community resilience. The company said the programme supports its long-term goal of building smarter, more sustainable and future-ready communities across Dubai.

The General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque has announced designated entry times for worshipers wishing to visit Hijr Ismail, the area adjacent to the Holy Kaaba, as part of ongoing efforts to regulate movement and enhance services for pilgrims and visitors.

According to the authority, women will be permitted to enter Hijr Ismail daily from 6:00am to 9:00am, while entry for men has been scheduled from 10:00 m to 1:00am, a Saudi Gazette report said.

Read more-Saudi announces new Umrah calendar: Visa details, key dates revealed

The authority said the designated timings are intended to facilitate worship, ensure smoother movement within the Grand Mosque and improve the overall experience for visitors performing Umrah and prayers at Islam’s holiest site.

Historic site holds special significance

Located on the northern side of the Holy Kaaba, Hijr Ismail occupies a distinctive position within the Grand Mosque and is regarded as an integral part of the Kaaba’s original structure.

Historical accounts indicate that the foundations raised by Prophet Ibrahim and his son Ismail included the area within the original building of the Ancient House. However, when the Quraysh rebuilt the Kaaba before the prophethood of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), they excluded the section because of limited financial resources, leaving the structure in the form seen today.

King Salman approves hosting of 1,000 Umrah pilgrims

In a separate development, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman approved the hosting of 1,000 male and female Umrah pilgrims from around the world at his personal expense under the Guests of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Program for Hajj, Umrah, and Visit.

The initiative, which will be implemented by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance, will be carried out in four phases during the 1448 AH year. The first phase will host 250 pilgrims from 16 Asian countries, including Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, Japan, China and Mongolia.

Minister of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance and General Supervisor of the program Sheikh Abdullatif Al-Sheikh expressed gratitude to King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for their continued support of Muslims worldwide.

Al-Sheikh said the initiative reflects the Kingdom’s commitment to serving Islam and Muslims, strengthening bonds of brotherhood among Muslim communities and enabling worshipers to perform Umrah and visit the holy sites with ease and peace of mind.

The Ministry of Finance (MoF) has announced the opening of subscriptions for the UAE’s inaugural Sovereign Retail T-Sukuk Programme, marking a significant milestone in the country’s efforts to broaden access to government-backed investment opportunities for individual investors.

Launched in close collaboration with the Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE), the programme is the first initiative of its kind in the UAE and is designed to provide citizens and residents with direct access to a sovereign investment instrument that is fully backed by the UAE Government and compliant with Islamic Shariah principles.

Read more-Got Dhs1,000? UAE opens government-backed investing to the public

The inaugural issuance will have a total size of Dhs50m, with the subscription period running from June 24 to June 30, 2026 through approved digital channels. Investors will be able to participate with a minimum subscription amount of Dhs1,000, making the offering accessible to a broad segment of the population.

The first T-Sukuk issuance will carry a tenor of two years and offer a profit rate of 4.30 per cent per annum, determined in line with prevailing market conditions. Profit payments will be distributed every six months throughout the life of the instrument.

Digital-first subscription process

The Ministry of Finance said the programme has been designed around a fully digital subscription model aimed at simplifying participation and improving accessibility for retail investors.

Approved subscription channels include Dubai Financial Market’s Subscription platform, DFM app, iVestor app, and the digital banking platforms of Emirates NBD Bank, which has been appointed as the Lead Receiving Bank.

Other participating receiving banks include Emirates Islamic Bank, Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank (ADIB), Ajman Bank and Mashreq Bank.

Following the completion of the offering process, the sukuk are expected to be listed on Nasdaq Dubai and become available for trading from July 2, 2026.

Allocation of sukuk is scheduled to take place immediately after the subscription period closes, with issuance set for 1st July 2026. Any excess subscription amounts will be refunded no later than 7th July 2026.

Strengthening the sovereign investment ecosystem

Commenting on the launch, Mohamed bin Hadi Al Hussaini, Minister of State for Financial Affairs, described the opening of subscriptions as an important step in enhancing the UAE’s sovereign investment ecosystem.

“The opening of subscriptions for the Sovereign Retail T-Sukuk Programme marks a pivotal milestone in bolstering the readiness of the UAE’s sovereign investment ecosystem by providing structured fully digital subscription channels that enable individual investors to access government investment products efficiently and transparently through approved platforms,” Al Hussaini said.

He added that the initiative reflects the ministry’s commitment to providing a seamless and transparent investor experience from the point of subscription through to trading in the secondary market or holding the sukuk until maturity.

“This phase reflects the Ministry of Finance’s commitment to delivering a comprehensive digital subscription experience that ensures clarity throughout the investor journey, from subscription through to trading in the secondary market or holding until maturity,” he said.

Al Hussaini noted that enabling subscriptions through approved digital platforms and designated banking channels simplifies participation and creates a clear pathway for individual investors to access sovereign sukuk within a transparent investment framework.

Collaboration across financial institutions

The minister also highlighted the role of collaboration among key financial institutions in supporting the successful rollout of the programme.

According to Al Hussaini, the partnership between the Ministry of Finance, Dubai Financial Market (DFM), Nasdaq Dubai and the designated receiving banks has created an effective institutional model for managing the offering process.

He said the collaboration helps provide a secure and well-structured experience for retail investors while strengthening the readiness of the UAE’s financial infrastructure to support this category of sovereign issuance.

The programme is expected to contribute to the continued development of the country’s capital markets while creating new opportunities for retail participation in government-backed investment products.

Trading and investment opportunities

Individual investors wishing to participate in the offering may do so by obtaining an Investor Number (NIN), where applicable, and submitting subscription applications through approved digital channels after completing the required procedures.

Once allocated, the sukuk will be deposited into investors’ accounts before listing on Nasdaq Dubai.

After listing, investors will have the option of holding the sukuk until maturity or selling their holdings in the secondary market through members licensed on Nasdaq Dubai.

To support trading activity and liquidity, a market maker and liquidity providers will operate on an ongoing basis following the listing.

The Ministry said the programme offers investors an opportunity to diversify their portfolios through a trusted government-backed instrument within a structured framework that spans subscription, issuance, listing and secondary-market trading.

Nasdaq Dubai will serve as both the central securities depository and the settlement platform for the programme.

Expanding access to Shariah-compliant investments

The Sovereign Retail T-Sukuk Programme forms part of the Ministry of Finance’s broader strategy to expand participation in government-backed investment instruments and introduce innovative Shariah-compliant investment products that are accessible to a wider segment of society.

Officials said the initiative is intended to encourage greater public participation in the UAE’s financial and investment ecosystem while supporting a culture of long-term saving and investment.

The Ministry also clarified that the Sovereign Retail T-Sukuk Programme differs from the Fractional T-Sukuk and Bonds Initiative in both structure and source of securities.

Under the new programme, investors gain direct access to newly issued sovereign sukuk through a primary market subscription at par value, or 100 per cent, with a minimum investment of AED1,000.

By contrast, the Fractional T-Sukuk and Bonds Initiative, launched in November 2025, allows investors to purchase fractional interests in sukuk and bonds that have already been issued and are traded at prevailing market prices. That programme carries a minimum investment requirement of AED4,000.

The launch of the Sovereign Retail T-Sukuk Programme represents a new chapter in the UAE’s efforts to deepen retail investor participation, expand access to government-backed financial products and strengthen the nation’s investment landscape through innovative and inclusive capital market initiatives.