Abu dhabi: Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA), the UAE's largest industrial company outside the oil and gas sector, has announced plans to acquire an 80 percent stake in the Italian aluminium recycling firm Eco Green. This acquisition is subject to regulatory approvals and represents a significant step in EGA's European expansion strategy in aluminium recycling.
According to Emirates News Agency, Eco Green is known for its expertise in aluminium scrap collection, sorting, casting, and dross processing, distributing over 70,000 tonnes annually. The company operates a plant in Villafranca di Verona, Italy, which manages 23,000 tonnes of aluminium scrap each year. A portion of this scrap is processed at Eco Green's facility in Nogara di Verona, which produces more than 20,000 tonnes of secondary sows annually and also processes dross.
Eco Green is currently advancing an expansion plan at its Nogara di Verona facility to increase recycled aluminium capacity by 15,000 tonnes annually, with completion expected in the second half of 2026. The company serves over 60 customers throughout Europe, primarily in the aluminium processing and semi-fabrication sectors, with end-users in automotive, construction, and other industries. A robust network of more than 350 suppliers ensures a steady supply of high-quality scrap.
Founded in 1993 by the Scappini family, Eco Green remains family-led and employs 70 people. The current management team is expected to continue leading the company post-acquisition.
EGA operates the largest aluminium recycling plant in the UAE at Al Taweelah, Abu Dhabi, and has acquired recycling facilities in Germany and the United States, with expansion projects underway at both sites. The acquisition of Eco Green will boost EGA's recycling capacity to over 400,000 tonnes annually across the UAE, Europe, and the US, with an additional 200,000 tonnes of capacity under development. EGA markets its recycled aluminium under the brand RevivAL.
Abdulnasser Bin Kalban, CEO of EGA, stated the acquisition would enhance EGA's reach and expertise in the European aluminium scrap market, advancing their recycling operations and contributing to Europe's sustainable future. Luca Scappini, CEO of Eco Green, expressed optimism about the growth potential unlocked by joining EGA, which is a major primary aluminium supplier to Europe.
Analysts predict global demand for recycled aluminium to double by 2040, driven by the need for sustainable practices. Europe is currently the third-largest recycled aluminium market, with demand expected to rise from 4.9 million tonnes in 2025 to 7.2 million tonnes by 2033, according to CRU.
EGA's recent acquisitions and expansions, such as Leichtmetall in Germany and Spectro Alloys in the US, along with its new plant in Al Taweelah, underscore its commitment to sustainable aluminium production. Recycling aluminium requires significantly less energy and produces fewer greenhouse gas emissions compared to primary aluminium production.
