Located in Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi (KIZAD) the Taweelah Aluminium Extrusion (TALEX) plant is the largest aluminium smelting plant in the Arabian Gulf. Aluminium is extruded, pressed, anodised, sprayed and painted as well as packaged under one roof. Capable of processing 50,000 tons of aluminium per annum, the plant comprises a cast house, extrusion plant, multiple press lines, a wastewater treatment plant, warehouses, six substations, and security and shipping gates, on a plot covering 200,000 square meters.

In December 2013, AECOM was awarded the project management contract for TALEX. This was later extended to include construction supervision. Through timely procurement of aluminium processing equipment and close management of the construction contractor and the 15 specialist equipment suppliers, we ensured the installations were completed as planned.

With site safety as a priority, AECOM introduced LIFEGUARD, an online tool for reporting and managing SH&E related observations. Appreciated by the client and contractor, the tool was instrumental in the project achieving 3 million hours without a lost time incident.

The plant is designed to achieve a 2 Pearl rating for sustainability. Collaboration between the client, AECOM, the design & build contractor and its sustainability consultant was encouraged to achieve this outcome.

TALEX is the winner of the GCC Industrial Project of the Year award at the MEED Quality Awards for Projects 2016.