Alba names Bechtel contractor for $3.5bn expansion

18/04/2016 05:51 AST

Aluminium Bahrain (Alba), the Bahrain-based leading international aluminium smelter, has named International Bechtel as the engineering, procurement, and construction management (EPCM) contractor for its landmark Line Six expansion project.

Under the terms of the contract, Bechtel will be responsible for the design and construction of the sixth potline as well as support industrial services, Alba said in a statement.

The project is expected to cost $3.5 billion. Alba will be the world’s largest single-site aluminium smelter upon completion of the Line Six project, which will boost its production by 540,000 tonnes per annum (tpa), bringing its total production capacity to 1.5 million tpa. Line 6 will have 424 pots that will use the proprietary EGA DX+ Ultra technology thus significantly increasing operating efficiencies.

Alba chairman Shaikh Daij bin Salman Bin Daij Al Khalifa said: “The appointment of Bechtel is a step forward towards delivering the Line Six expansion project, which is a significant milestone for the Kingdom of Bahrain. Alba and Bechtel have a history that spans over 25 years, and we are confident that Bechtel will deliver excellence at all times.”

Bechtel president for mining and metals Shaun Kenny said: “Bechtel is grateful and privileged to have been selected to work with Alba to develop the sixth potline. Our shared values of safety and quality, high expectations and pride in achievement have underpinned project success since our first engagement with Alba over 25 years ago, to our most recent, the completion of Line Five in 2005.

"When Alba added Line Five, it was at that time the world’s longest potline. We are proud to be working with Alba again to add Line Six, to make Alba the largest single-site smelter in the world and mark another world class achievement for Bahrain, Alba and Bechtel.”

Bechtel has extensive industry-specific experience in the region and was previously the EPCM contractor for Alba’s Line Four and Five expansions, the statement added.

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