Aluminium recycling can unlock major economic opportunities in Oman
Oman’s first Aluminium Recycling forum was held on February 14, at JW Marritt Hotel, Muscat, under the auspices of Dr Abdullah bin Ali al Amri, Chairman of the Environment Authority.
The forum, hosted by Sohar Aluminium and endorsed by the Environment Authority, brought together key industry stakeholders in the country in an effort to examine the latest trends, challenges and business opportunities in aluminium recycling.
Speaking at the event, Eng Said bin Mohammed al Masoudi, CEO – Sohar Aluminium, highlighted the significance of the forum, “This forum took shape based on the idea to bring together leaders from the aluminium industry in Oman along with the Environment Authority, Waste Management representatives, recyclers, academia, and other key stakeholders to discuss the opportunities which aluminium recycling presents and ways in which these can be utilised to everyone’s benefit.”
He added, “Aluminium is inherently circular. It was circular long before we started talking about ‘being circular. Globally, more than 30 million tonnes of aluminium scrap are recycled every year, ensuring its status as one of the most recycled materials on the planet.
Process improvements and break through innovations are increasing the availability of scrap, making recycling easier and more viable. It is time that we in Oman make the most of this opportunity that has environmental and economic benefits.
According to the CEO, aluminium scrap recycling, can offer several environmental and economic benefits including the conservation of natural resources, energy savings, reduced greenhouse emissions, and economic opportunities.
He shared that the production of recycled aluminium uses 95% less energy than producing aluminium from raw materials, and generates 97 per cent less greenhouse emissions.
Additionally, he highlighted some of main economic opportunities that can be created from the industry. ”Recycling aluminium scrap creates economic opportunities.
The recycling industry generates jobs in collection, sorting, processing, and manufacturing, and contributing to local economies. Additionally, it can also benefit businesses by reducing production costs and reliance on raw materials,” he stated.
The Director of the Environment Department in Al Batinah North Governorate, Nizar bin Salim al Araimi, emphasised the potential economic benefits of recycling in his keynote address.
“Adopting a circular economy directly contributes to creating new job opportunities in various recycling sectors and enabling the private sector,” he said.
“Transitioning to a circular economy is a top priority both nationally and internationally, aiming to reduce waste, energy consumption, and raw material usage.
Oman’s Vision 2040 focuses on activating this type of economy in the near future to preserve resource value, maximise added value to the national economy, create job opportunities, address health and environmental issues, reduce pollution, and promote effective utilisation of natural resources in support of the national economy.”