Abu Dhabi to set up Silicon Metal Smelter in KIZAD
Abu Dhabi : 2-May-2012
A silicon metal smelter will be set up in Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi (KIZAD), which will supply high-grade silicon to aluminium smelters in the region. The plant is estimated to cost around $173 million. Construction will commence in 2013 and the project will be operational by 2015. The smelter will be built on a plot measuring 316,413 square metres to produce high-grade silicon, which is commonly used in the aluminium industry as an alloying agent, which considerably improves the strength of wrought aluminium alloys. Silicon metal is an integral part of the aluminium production process and will become more prevalent when the casting industries grow in the Gulf region. Silicon metal is presently imported from a number of global producers. The tonnages currently imported are substantial, hence the need for a local producer.
