New Al wire rod plant planned for UAE to supply 36,000 t/yr as power cable demand rises

Mark Cables

New Al wire rod plant planned for UAE will add new downstream capacity next to a major primary aluminium hub. Mark Cables Power Solutions plans to build an aluminium rod manufacturing plant in the Khalifa Economic Zone, adjacent to Emirates Global Aluminium’s Al Taweelah smelter. New Al wire rod plant planned for UAE targets 36,000 tonnes per year of multiple aluminium rod grades. Therefore, the project strengthens regional conversion capacity for power cable and conductor markets.

The plant will supply Mark Cables facilities in Dubai and Angola, while also selling to third-party customers across the UAE, Africa, and Europe. Meanwhile, Emirates Global Aluminium signed a non-binding agreement to supply 35,000 tonnes per year of aluminium to the proposed facility. As a result, the site pairing reduces logistics friction between primary metal and rod conversion.

Wire rod demand grows as grids expand and electrification accelerates

Wire rod is becoming a high-growth aluminium segment as electricity networks expand. Regional and global utilities are building new transmission and distribution capacity to integrate renewable power. Meanwhile, electrification trends in developing economies are lifting baseline demand for cables and conductors. Therefore, New Al wire rod plant planned for UAE aligns with long-cycle grid spending and near-term manufacturing localisation.

Aluminium is also gaining share against copper in many power cable applications. Manufacturers use aluminium to lower material cost while meeting performance requirements. However, substitution depends on design choices, standards compliance, and end-user specifications. As a result, new rod capacity can benefit most where buyers already approve aluminium conductor solutions.

UAE downstream expansion targets value-added exports and supply security

Placing rod production beside a large smelter can improve supply security and working capital efficiency. The proximity can support steadier metal flows, faster turnaround, and lower conversion risk. Meanwhile, selling into Africa and Europe can diversify demand beyond domestic consumption. Therefore, New Al wire rod plant planned for UAE can act as an export-oriented downstream anchor.

The project also signals a broader shift toward value capture inside producing countries. UAE aluminium strategy increasingly links primary output to downstream products that serve energy transition supply chains. However, success will depend on ramp execution, customer qualification, and competitive conversion costs. As a result, early offtake traction with third-party buyers will be a key indicator.

The Metalnomist Commentary

Wire rod investment follows the same logic as grid investment. Meanwhile, aluminium substitution will keep expanding where cost and performance align. Therefore, UAE-based rod capacity could win share by combining low-friction metal supply with export-ready logistics.