Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) announced on August 26, 2026 that 315 of the 1,262 reduction cells at its Al Taweelah smelter in Abu Dhabi are back in operation — 25% of the site — and that full primary aluminum production is targeted for the first quarter of 2027. The smelter, one of the world's largest single-site operations, has been down since an emergency shutdown following the March 28 attack on Khalifa Economic Zone Abu Dhabi. For buyers of aluminum castings, this is the first firm date attached to the unwind of one of 2026's biggest supply disruptions, and a concrete reference point for surcharge and contract discussions into next year.
Restoration Milestone and Timeline
EGA is restoring all three potlines in parallel. Potline 1 was energized on May 26, potline 3 on July 13, and potline 2 on August 3. Each restarted cell takes about a week to stabilize and reach full output, and the pace has accelerated through the summer: 89 cells were back by July 2, 227 cells (18%) by August 10, and 315 cells (25%) as of August 26. Some of the recovered hot metal goes into restarting further cells; the balance is cast into finished "premium aluminium" products at the Al Taweelah casthouse. Around 1,000 people are working on the restoration, with the repair investment estimated at roughly $400 million.
| Date | Milestone |
|---|---|
| March 28, 2026 | Attack on Khalifa Economic Zone Abu Dhabi forces an emergency shutdown of the site |
| May 26, 2026 | Potline 1 re-energized |
| July 13, 2026 | Potline 3 re-energized |
| August 3, 2026 | Potline 2 re-energized |
| August 26, 2026 | 315 of 1,262 reduction cells (25%) back in operation |
| Late Q4 2026 | Al Taweelah recycling plant targets full production |
| Q1 2027 | Smelter targets full primary aluminum production |
Two related operations shape the supply picture. The Al Taweelah alumina refinery continues to produce at around 50% capacity, but EGA says the smelter's recovery does not depend on the refinery returning to full output — external alumina sourcing can support the restart. The site's new recycling plant is ramping separately and targets full production by late Q4 2026, while EGA's Jebel Ali plant has continued to operate at full capacity throughout.
Background: The March 28 Shutdown
The March 28 attack forced an emergency shutdown of all EGA facilities at Al Taweelah and rippled through global aluminum markets: LME prices jumped, European billet supply tightened, and EGA declared force majeure on certain European billet contracts in April — a measure that, as of late August, had not been reported lifted. The outage removed meaningful volume from an already tight market, and European primary aluminum premiums, after peaking in May, have been declining as the restart progresses.
What It Means for Aluminum Casting Buyers
- A firm reference date for negotiations. Gulf disruption has been priced as open-ended since spring. The Q1 2027 target gives buyers a concrete anchor for surcharge reviews and 2027 contract terms — premiums justified "until further notice" can now be tied to a named quarter.
- Supply eases before it normalizes. Every restarted cell adds volume, and the recycling plant adds more from late Q4 2026. Expect gradual improvement through the fourth quarter rather than a step change, and treat Q1–Q2 2027 as the realistic normalization window.
- Force majeure is the watch item. The April force majeure on European billet contracts had not been reported lifted as of late August. Its lifting — or extension — will signal how quickly contract and spot availability actually recovers.
- Price risk cuts both ways. LME aluminum swung within a roughly $3,180–3,375 per tonne band in August alone. Staggered buying windows or LME-averaging clauses in supply agreements reduce the risk of fixing raw material cost on a single date.
At Meituo, aluminum alloy ingot is the largest cost driver in our die casting operations, so we track smelter-level supply events like this one and reflect verified market movements in our quotations rather than blanket surcharges. If you are planning 2027 programs, our aluminum die casting page outlines our capabilities, and our aluminum die casting cost guide explains how raw material, tooling, and volume interact in a quote. Send us your drawings — we are glad to price against current market conditions.
Sources
- AlCircle — EGA's Al Taweelah smelter restoration reaches 25% milestone, full output targeted in Q1 2027 — August 26, 2026
- Shanghai Metals Market (SMM) — EGA Restores 25% of Al Taweelah Smelter Cells, Aims Full Aluminum Production by Q1 2027 — August 28, 2026
- Mysteel — EGA's Al Taweelah smelter restoration reaches 25% milestone, full output targeted in Q1 2027 — August 27, 2026
- SunSirs — EGA Al Taweelah Outlines Restart Plan; 25% of Capacity Returning — August 27, 2026
- Tacto — Aluminium Price Today: Price, Trends & Forecast 2026 — August 28, 2026
