Alba SPL plant construction in full swing: CEO

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

The construction of Alba’s Spent Pot Lining Treatment Plant (SPL), the first of its kind in the GCC and the Middle East, is in full swing, said Aluminium Bahrain (Alba) CEO, Ali Al Baqali. “We are pleased with the progress we have achieved so far as that will bring us closer to realise our vision in setting the benchmark in terms of sustainability and waste management,” added Baqali.

The Project overall progress has advanced by 42% and achieved more than 178,000 safe working-hours without LTI to-date. This came as officials from Alba, Supreme Council for Environment (SCE) and Ministry of Industry, Commerce, and Tourism (MOICT) held an inspection visit to the construction site of SPL Treatment Plant on Tuesday.

The visit was led by Al Baqali, Chief Executive Officer of Supreme Council for Environment, Dr Mohammed bin Dainah, and Undersecretary for Commerce Affairs at the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism, Eman Ahmed Al Doseri, who were also accompanied by officials from Alba, MOICT, and SCE. The CEO of SCE, Dr Bin Dainah, said: “Bahrain is about to become home to the first plant in the region to treat this type of waste.

This reaffirms the Kingdom’s reputation as one of the leading countries to achieve a balance between increased production and environment-friendly processes, in addition to having the largest smelter in the world ex-China, which is a source of pride for the entire nation. Transforming 100% of the treated SPL to raw materials for other industries in Bahrain will enhance the success of this project, and we shall all collaborate towards achieving this goal.” Undersecretary of Commerce Affairs at the MOICT, Eman Ahmed Al Doseri, added: “The Ministry is committed to supporting local companies in developing the industrial sector in Bahrain, which will, in turn, increase their contribution to the GDP.

This is achieved through facilitating the development projects and adopting the most advanced technologies to enhance their productivity and set the example in terms of sustainable and environmentally friendly initiatives.”