More than a decade ago and blessed with a wealth of natural resources and petrochemicals, Oman embarked on a mission to create a thriving aluminium industry which would contribute to the economic development of the country. With Sohar Aluminium striving successfully to help diversify Oman’s growing economy, it has also streamlined the import of raw materials (the majority of which come from overseas). As its journey continues, the company looks forward to the future with genuine optimism towards the next chapter of its history. Its establishment stands on a strong foundation of decades-long industry insight in design, specification, and construction ensuring efficiency, environmental protection, and utmost safety of its workforce.
Jointly owned by OQ S.A.O.C (40%), TAQA (40%), and Rio Tinto Alcan (20%), Sohar Aluminium has a smelter with an annual production capacity of 395,000 tonnes of high-quality aluminium. It uses the latest and most efficient AP39 technology provided by Rio Tinto Alcan. The company’s primary products include hot metal, primary aluminium Ingots, and primary aluminium Sows, with nearly 60 per cent of finished products committed for local downstream companies, in the form of hot metal. Throughout its history, Sohar Aluminium has been recognised with various awards across several aspects of its business. In 2021, it claimed the first position for His Majesty the Sultan’s Award for Industrial Excellence 2021. This is the third time that the company has won this prestigious award.
Committed to ESGs and Partnerships
Sohar Aluminium has always been mindful of and acts in favour of protecting the environment, adopting, and implementing high standards in terms of working conditions for its workforce, maintaining excellent relation with all stakeholders, and committing to transparent policies and moral responsibilities. These aspects form the company’s commitment towards Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG), a key indicator of its endeavour and aspiration to be a benchmark Aluminium Smelter. Takin concrete steps in this direction, Sohar Aluminium has recently joined the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI) as a “Production and Transformation Member”, joining more than 190 global producers, upstream, downstream, supporters, users, and stakeholders in the aluminium value chain. It has always sought to establish partnerships with renowned and well-recognised global aluminium organisations while truly believing in the direct benefits of strengthening its position as a producer of primary aluminium. Establishing these alliances, such as being a member of the Gulf Aluminium Council, empowers the company along with its fellow members, to position itself as a key player in the global aluminium industry.
Prioritising EHS and Quality
Sohar Aluminium’s Environment, Health and Safety (EHS) Policy is embedded in its Strategic Business Objectives and forms an integral part of its journey towards excellence. Its main EHS goal is to operate its smelting operations and power generation in a manner that minimises environmental footprint, creates a mindset of Zero Harm, and ensures good health of its workforce. This is achieved through engaging all employees and contractors in EHS, providing safe and healthy working conditions, commitment to leadership in environment protection, responsible use of natural resources, mitigating risks, and eliminating hazards. This policy is owned by its employees as the company strives to create a successful and sustainable business that exceeds the aspirations of its stakeholders while preserving the surrounding environment.
The company’s quality management system forms an integral part of its journey to achieve its business and operational objectives and ultimately realise its vision. This is achieved through focusing on meeting the highest customer expectations in product quality and supply reliability, whilst maximising the shareholder value.
Smelter of the Future
Sohar Aluminium is on the cusp of yet another exciting, if momentous, leap into the future, aided by a raft of emerging technologies that form part of the 4th Industrial Revolution. From Mobile Connectivity, Artificial Intelligence and Big Data to Robotics, Internet of Things (IoT) and Machine Learning, Industry 4.0 has the potential to accelerate the digital transformation underway at Sohar Aluminium. Mindful that the roll-out of Industry 4.0 is no small feat, the company has also embarked on a plant-wide awareness programme designed to ensure that its sizable technical staff are fully on board in the delivery of new ambitious technology and innovation projects. At the same time, it is also engaging with key stakeholders and local communities on the importance of this initiative in ensuring the safe, successful, and sustainable operation of Sohar Aluminium well into the future. The company has entered into agreements with local and international academic institutions focusing on the fields of R&D and covering several aspects such as renewable energy, environment protection and advanced technologies.
Combating COVID-19 Impacts
The company has taken a proactive approach to managing the impact of the COVID-9 pandemic. As always, the health and safety of its workforce has remained top priority in addition to business and operations continuity. Several actions were taken including the formation of a special committee mandated with planning and overseeing implementation of actions, and precautionary procedures. The workforce on site was reduced with work-from-home plans initiated which was made possible with the adoption of technologies that allowed its employees to work remotely without any loss of productivity.