Aluminium Bahrain (Alba), the world’s largest smelter outside of China, has said that construction work was progressing as per schedule at its Spent Pot Lining (SPL) treatment plant, a first of its kind facility in the GCC and Bahrain.

The project’s overall progress has advanced by more than 21% and achieved more than 35,078 man-hours without LTI (Lost Time Injury) by the  end of May, said Ali Al Baqali, CEO of Aluminium Bahrain, during an inspection visit to the construction site recently, along with other senior Alba executives.

He added that work on the SPL treatment plant was in full swing, and that the project was likely to be operational by the first quarter of 2021. Once completed, it will have a capacity to treat 30,000 to 35,000 tonnes of SPL a year, which, after being processed, can be used in other industries.

In line with Bahrain’s National Waste Management Strategy led by Shaikh Abdulla bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Personal Representative of His Majesty King of Bahrain and President of the Supreme Council for Environment, this project will provide a value-creating and sustainable solution to treat SPL with ensuring zero-waste, he added.

“Being one of the blue-chip assets of Bahrain, our aim is to lead the fields in sustainability – in line with the kingdom’s Economic Vision 2030 – and set the benchmark to transform SPL into Value-Added Products. I also take the opportunity to thank Bahrain’s Supreme Council for Environment for their continuous support,” he concluded.