The Abu Dhabi National Oil Co. and Emirates Global Aluminium signed a $500 million agreement for the local supply of calcined petroleum coke, also called petcoke, a key raw material in aluminum production, the companies said on Tuesday.

Under the five-year deal, ADNOC Refining will supply up to 1.5 million tonnes of petcoke from its Ruwais facility to EGA, covering at least 30 percent of the aluminum producer’s requirements and reducing its reliance on imports.

The deal was signed during the ‘Make it in the Emirates’ forum in Abu Dhabi and bolsters the UAE’s efforts to localize industrial supply chains and promote economic diversification beyond oil.

Strengthening Domestic Supply Chains

Khaled Salmeen, CEO of ADNOC Downstream, said the agreement reflects the company’s strategy to support the UAE’s industrial base and expand the impact of its In-Country Value program.

“By supplying this critical raw material for aluminum production from our Ruwais Refinery, we are strengthening domestic supply chains, reducing reliance on imports and enabling growth in one of the nation’s most vital industrial sectors,” Salmeen said in a statement.

The move aligns with ADNOC’s wider industrial strategy, which aims to support the local manufacturing sector and contribute to the UAE’s broader economic development goals.

Boost for UAE Aluminum Sector

EGA, the world’s largest producer of premium aluminum and the UAE’s biggest industrial company outside the energy sector, said the agreement enhances its ability to source critical inputs locally.

“EGA has been a pioneer of industrialization and economic diversification for decades,” said EGA CEO Abdulnasser Bin Kalban. “This agreement with ADNOC enables us to secure a significant proportion of a key raw material locally, further increasing our economic impact in the UAE.”

EGA estimates that the petcoke supply will support the production of approximately 3.75 million tonnes of aluminum over the life of the agreement—roughly equal to Germany’s annual aluminum consumption.

Economic Impact

The aluminum sector continues to play a pivotal role in the UAE’s non-oil economy. In 2024, EGA’s activities contributed $6.4 billion to the country’s economy, or about 1.3 percent of GDP, and supported more than 52,000 jobs, the company said.

The signing was witnessed by UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and ADNOC Group CEO Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, and EGA Managing Director Abdulla Kalban.

The agreement is expected to reinforce the UAE’s position as a leading global hub for aluminum production while advancing the country’s strategy of industrial self-reliance and sustainable economic growth.