Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 17 January 2025: Emirates Global Aluminium, the largest industrial company in the United Arab Emirates outside oil and gas, celebrated the landmark launch of MBZ-SAT, the most advanced satellite in the region and developed by the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC), was built using EGA’s CelestiAL solar aluminium.
EGA supplied MBRSC with CelestiAL solar aluminium produced in Jebel Ali. The metal was formed into critical parts for MBZ-SAT by a local EGA partner company.
The collaboration between EGA and MBRSC was a space sector milestone for Make it in the Emirates, supporting the UAE’s Operation 300bn ambition, and the UAE’s goal of being a leader in space exploration.
Abdulnasser Bin Kalban, Chief Executive Officer of Emirates Global Aluminium, said: “Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre’s use of EGA’s CelestiAL solar aluminium for MBZ-SAT shows how sustainable innovation is shaping the future of both space technology and our nation’s industrial ecosystem. EGA was the first company in the world to produce aluminium commercially using solar power, significantly reducing emissions. We are proud that EGA’s solar aluminium is now heading to the stars.”
H.E. Salem Humaid AlMarri, Director General, MBRSC said: “The successful launch of MBZ-SAT is a testament to the UAE’s vision of pushing the boundaries of innovation and technological excellence. At MBRSC, we are always committed to contributing to the diversification and growth of the UAE’s economy through strategic collaborations. By working with partners such as EGA, we have demonstrated how the coming together of expertise and shared ambitions can drive the nation’s space sector forward. By integrating locally produced components, we are not only enhancing the capabilities of our space missions but also reinforcing the UAE’s position as a hub for pioneering advancements and global partnerships.”
MBZ-SAT was launched from the Vandenberg Space Force Base in California in the United States. The satellite, named in honour of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, is equipped with sophisticated image capture technology capable of generating high resolution and precise imagery.
EGA’s aluminium, largest made-in-the-UAE export after oil and gas, is shipped to over 50 countries worldwide. In 2021, EGA partnered with Dubai Electricity and Water Authority to become the first company globally to commercially produce aluminium using solar power. The partnership leverages electricity from the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions as electricity generation accounts for approximately 60 per cent of the aluminium industry’s emissions globally.
As one of the UAE’s most innovative companies, EGA has developed its own aluminium smelting technology for over 30 years. In 2024, EGA completed the design phase for the company’s next generation smelting technology, EX. The new technology has been designed to produce more aluminium with less energy and lower emissions. The design incorporates provisions for advanced Internet of Things sensors and connections to enable real-time data gathering and even greater application of Industry 4.0.
