Tawazun Council, RTX and EGA Sign MOU to Explore Gallium Production in Abu Dhabi
RTX, Tawazun Council, and Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) have signed a memorandum of understanding to establish gallium production capabilities in Abu Dhabi. The initiative would make the UAE the world's second-largest gallium producer, with production facilities at EGA's Al Taweelah alumina refinery. Gallium, a critical mineral found in trace amounts in bauxite, is essential for semiconductors, defense products, electric vehicles, medical devices, and telecom infrastructure.
The agreement includes plans for a feasibility study for a high-purity gallium plant. This strategic partnership aims to secure a reliable supply of gallium for RTX's aerospace and defense solutions while creating an additional revenue stream for EGA and advancing the UAE's industrial growth strategy Operation 300bn.
RTX, Tawazun Council e Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) hanno firmato un memorandum d'intesa per sviluppare capacità di produzione di gallio ad Abu Dhabi. Questa iniziativa renderebbe gli Emirati Arabi Uniti il secondo produttore mondiale di gallio, con impianti di produzione presso la raffineria di allumina Al Taweelah di EGA. Il gallio, un minerale critico presente in tracce nella bauxite, è fondamentale per semiconduttori, prodotti per la difesa, veicoli elettrici, dispositivi medici e infrastrutture di telecomunicazione.
L'accordo prevede lo studio di fattibilità per una pianta di gallio ad alta purezza. Questa partnership strategica mira a garantire una fornitura affidabile di gallio per le soluzioni aerospaziali e di difesa di RTX, creando al contempo una nuova fonte di reddito per EGA e promuovendo la strategia di crescita industriale degli Emirati, nota come Operazione 300bn.
RTX, el Consejo Tawazun y Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) han firmado un memorando de entendimiento para establecer capacidades de producción de galio en Abu Dabi. Esta iniciativa convertiría a los Emiratos Árabes Unidos en el segundo mayor productor mundial de galio, con instalaciones de producción en la refinería de alúmina Al Taweelah de EGA. El galio, un mineral crítico encontrado en pequeñas cantidades en la bauxita, es esencial para semiconductores, productos de defensa, vehículos eléctricos, dispositivos médicos e infraestructura de telecomunicaciones.
El acuerdo incluye planes para un estudio de viabilidad de una planta de galio de alta pureza. Esta asociación estratégica busca asegurar un suministro confiable de galio para las soluciones aeroespaciales y de defensa de RTX, al mismo tiempo que crea una fuente adicional de ingresos para EGA y avanza la estrategia de crecimiento industrial de los EAU llamada Operación 300bn.
RTX, Tawazun 위원회 및 Emirates Global Aluminium(EGA)는 아부다비에서 갈륨 생산 능력 구축을 위한 양해각서에 서명했습니다. 이 이니셔티브는 EGA의 알 타윌라 알루미나 정제소에 생산 시설을 두어 UAE를 세계에서 두 번째로 큰 갈륨 생산국으로 만들 것입니다. 갈륨은 보크사이트에 미량으로 존재하는 중요한 광물로, 반도체, 방위 제품, 전기차, 의료기기 및 통신 인프라에 필수적입니다.
이 협약에는 고순도 갈륨 공장에 대한 타당성 조사 계획이 포함되어 있습니다. 이 전략적 파트너십은 RTX의 항공우주 및 방위 솔루션에 안정적인 갈륨 공급을 확보하는 동시에 EGA에 추가 수익원을 창출하고 UAE의 산업 성장 전략인 Operation 300bn을 진전시키는 것을 목표로 합니다.
RTX, le Conseil Tawazun et Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) ont signé un protocole d'accord pour établir des capacités de production de gallium à Abu Dhabi. Cette initiative ferait des Émirats arabes unis le deuxième plus grand producteur mondial de gallium, avec des installations de production à la raffinerie d'alumine Al Taweelah d'EGA. Le gallium, un minéral critique présent en traces dans la bauxite, est essentiel pour les semi-conducteurs, les produits de défense, les véhicules électriques, les dispositifs médicaux et les infrastructures télécom.
L'accord comprend des plans pour une étude de faisabilité d'une usine de gallium à haute pureté. Ce partenariat stratégique vise à garantir un approvisionnement fiable en gallium pour les solutions aérospatiales et de défense de RTX, tout en créant une source de revenus supplémentaire pour EGA et en faisant progresser la stratégie de croissance industrielle des Émirats, appelée Operation 300bn.
RTX, der Tawazun Council und Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) haben eine Absichtserklärung unterzeichnet, um Produktionskapazitäten für Gallium in Abu Dhabi aufzubauen. Die Initiative würde die VAE zum weltweit zweitgrößten Galliumproduzenten machen, mit Produktionsanlagen in der Al Taweelah Aluminiumoxid-Raffinerie von EGA. Gallium, ein kritisches Mineral, das in Spuren in Bauxit vorkommt, ist essentiell für Halbleiter, Verteidigungsprodukte, Elektrofahrzeuge, medizinische Geräte und Telekommunikationsinfrastruktur.
Die Vereinbarung beinhaltet Pläne für eine Machbarkeitsstudie für eine Gallium-Anlage mit hoher Reinheit. Diese strategische Partnerschaft zielt darauf ab, eine zuverlässige Galliumversorgung für RTXs Luft- und Raumfahrt- sowie Verteidigungslösungen sicherzustellen, gleichzeitig eine zusätzliche Einnahmequelle für EGA zu schaffen und die industrielle Wachstumsstrategie der VAE, Operation 300bn, voranzutreiben.
- None.
- Project still in early MOU phase, pending feasibility study
- Commercial production of gallium remains challenging according to EGA CEO
- Timeline and investment requirements not specified
Insights
RTX secures strategic gallium supply through UAE partnership, strengthening defense semiconductor supply chain amid global critical mineral concerns.
This agreement represents a significant strategic move for RTX to secure access to gallium, a critical mineral essential for defense electronics and advanced radar systems. The MOU with Tawazun Council and Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) would establish gallium extraction capabilities at EGA's Abu Dhabi refinery, potentially making UAE the world's second-largest gallium producer.
The strategic importance cannot be overstated - gallium arsenide and gallium nitride are crucial compounds for high-performance semiconductor applications in defense systems, particularly for radar technology that requires high-frequency, high-power capabilities. These materials enable the superior performance of RTX's military radar systems.
This partnership addresses a key vulnerability in RTX's supply chain. Currently, China dominates global gallium production (though not explicitly stated in the article, this is the implied reason why UAE would become the "second largest"). By diversifying sourcing to the UAE, RTX reduces geopolitical supply risks for this strategic material.
The agreement follows a typical industry development pattern: starting with an MOU, followed by a feasibility study before finalizing production agreements. While exact financial impacts aren't quantifiable yet, the long-term strategic value is clear - securing reliable access to a critical input for RTX's defense products.
The timing aligns with broader industry and governmental concerns about critical mineral supply chains, as semiconductors and their component materials have become focal points in national security discussions. This partnership demonstrates RTX's proactive approach to supply chain resilience in alignment with defense industry priorities.
This initiative would create gallium extraction and refining capabilities at EGA's alumina refinery in
Gallium has applications across many different sectors, including in the production of semiconductors, electric vehicles, medical devices and telecom infrastructure. For the defense industry, the supply of gallium is critical as it is a key component of defense products including advanced radars. This new agreement would secure access to this critical mineral for companies including RTX.
"The aerospace and defense industry relies on stable access to rare earth elements," said Paolo Dal Cin, senior vice president for operations and supply chain at RTX. "Today's agreement puts us on a path towards a reliable supply of gallium, needed for production of critical aerospace and defense solutions."
EGA and RTX anticipate entering into an agreement to conduct a feasibility study for a high purity gallium plant at EGA's Al Taweelah alumina refinery, which processes bauxite ore into alumina, the feedstock for aluminium smelters. Gallium is found in trace amounts in bauxite. As gallium is an impurity in aluminium, gallium levels must be carefully managed in metal for the most demanding applications.
His Excellency Dr. Nasser Humaid Al Nuaimi, Secretary General of Tawazun Council, emphasized the project is a pivotal milestone in developing the
"Gallium is an important metal for the most advanced electronics systems but remains commercially challenging to produce," said Abdulnasser Bin Kalban, chief executive officer of EGA. "This agreement between Tawazun Council, EGA and RTX makes the development of a new source of gallium in the
About Tawazun Council
Tawazun Council is an independent government entity that works closely with the Ministry of Defence and security agencies in the
The Council works to balance the needs of the local sector with defence requirements, focusing on improving operational quality and efficiency.
The Council also seeks to develop a regulatory environment that ensures the sustainability of technological innovation, enhancing national security and attracting various investments in this field.
Through this, the Council contributes to empowering national capabilities, promoting local content, and accelerating growth in the sector by supporting acquisition and development strategies.
About EGA
Since 1975, when it was founded as
Today EGA is the world's biggest "premium aluminium" producer and the largest industrial company in the
EGA is equally-owned by Mubadala Investment Company of
EGA is an integrated aluminium producer, with operations on four continents from bauxite mining to the production of cast primary aluminium and recycling. EGA operates aluminium smelters in Jebel Ali and Al Taweelah in the
About RTX
RTX is the world's largest aerospace and defense company. With more than 185,000 global employees, we push the limits of technology and science to redefine how we connect and protect our world. Through industry-leading businesses – Collins Aerospace, Pratt & Whitney and Raytheon – we are advancing aviation, engineering integrated defense systems for operational success, and developing next-generation technology solutions and manufacturing to help global customers address their most critical challenges. The company, with 2024 sales of more than
Media contacts:
RTX
Chris Johnson
corporatepr@rtx.com
Emirates Global Aluminium
Theodora Gabrah
tgabrah@ega.ae
Tawazun Council
Simon Buerk
tgabrah@ega.ae
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SOURCE RTX
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