22-04-2025
15,000 tpa of aluminium recycled as Oman advances in circular economy
MUSCAT, APRIL 22
The second edition of the Aluminium Recycling Forum, hosted by Sohar Aluminium in collaboration with the Environment Authority, convened senior policymakers, industrial leaders, and sustainability experts in Muscat to chart the future of aluminium recycling in the Sultanate of Oman.
Held under the auspices of Dr Abdullah bin Ali al Amri, Chairman of the Environment Authority, the forum sought to strengthen national efforts toward circular economy adoption, enhance domestic recycling capacity, and unlock new investment opportunities across Oman's growing aluminium sector.
Featuring a robust line-up of national and international experts, the forum tackled key themes including scrap collection challenges, regulatory frameworks, and innovations in recycling technology. Discussions also addressed how Oman's industrial strategies align with global sustainability frameworks, particularly in the context of climate goals and green industrial transformation.
Speaking at the opening session, Eng Said al Masoudi, CEO of Sohar Aluminium, emphasized the strategic opportunity Oman holds in becoming a regional leader in aluminium recycling.
'We firmly believe that Oman has the potential to become a major aluminium recycling hub servicing the entire GCC,' said Al Masoudi. 'At Sohar Aluminium, we recycled 3,500 tonnes of aluminium scrap in 2024, and we are committed to exceeding that in 2025. With the Environment Authority's March 2025 decision to suspend export permits for non-hazardous waste—including aluminium and copper scrap—we now have a unique opportunity to scale up local recycling, reduce reliance on imports, and create jobs.'
He noted that aluminium is an inherently circular material, requiring 95 per cent less energy to recycle than primary production, which in turn reduces greenhouse gas emissions by up to 97 per cent. 'This is not just an environmental obligation—it's a national economic opportunity,' Al Masoudi concluded.
Delivering a keynote address, Mahmood Dailami, Secretary General of the Gulf Aluminium Council, placed Oman's efforts in a broader regional context.
'The aluminium industry accounts for nearly 2 per cent of global industrial CO₂ emissions—largely driven by energy-intensive processes. In the Gulf, we have a unique opportunity to change that through recycling,' said Dailami.
He stressed that while renewable energy and next-generation smelting offer promise, recycling remains the most immediate and realistic path to reduce the industry's carbon footprint.
'Despite producing nearly half a million tonnes of recyclable aluminium annually, the region recycles less than 30 per cent. To unlock this untapped value, we must address regulatory gaps, expand remelting infrastructure, and build a transparent, well-regulated secondary market. Forums like this are not merely local events—they are global imperatives to build a circular, low-carbon future.'
Dr Mohammed al-Kalbani, Director General of Environmental Affairs at the Environment Authority, echoed these sentiments, citing Oman's rapid progress: 'Oman is charting a bold path toward a circular economy, with over 83 recycling facilities now operational and national recycling rates rising from 25 per cent in 2022 to more than 40 per cent in 2024. Our aluminium scrap recycling sector alone now processes over 15,000 tonnes annually, positioning the Sultanate of Oman as a future leader in sustainable metals recovery across the GCC.' Eng Abdullah al Rawahi, Head of the Industrial Strategy Implementation Section at the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion, outlined key policy measures currently being developed to support and regulate Oman's recycling sector.
'We've already begun implementing several policies aimed at controlling the export of key recyclable materials such as aluminium, iron, used tyres, and other industrial waste. One of the recent decisions specifically focuses on restricting the export of these materials to prioritize domestic processing,' he said.
Al Rawahi also referenced the launch of a new digital transformation platform, developed in collaboration with be'ah and the Ministry of Commerce, as a key step toward improving efficiency and oversight across the recycling value chain.
'We've worked closely with be'ah to develop a digital platform that will enhance traceability and transparency across the recycling process. This platform is designed to ensure material availability for local recycling plants and to offer deeper insights for both investors and regulators.' He further highlighted the importance of improving access to financing, a persistent challenge facing recycling centers in Oman. 'We recognize that funding remains a key challenge for recycling centers. We are currently exploring innovative solutions, including the development of alternative fuel products from waste materials. These policy tools are still under development, but we welcome suggestions and amendments from industry stakeholders.' The forum featured two focused panel discussions. The first examined the technical and regulatory barriers hindering scrap collection and recycling operations. Experts explored how smarter logistics, improved enforcement, and clearer policy guidelines could enhance sector efficiency.
The second panel addressed the investment potential of the aluminium recycling industry. Topics included policy tools to incentivize private sector engagement, SME inclusion, and the growing relevance of green finance and public-private partnerships in building a robust, low-carbon industrial base.
