EGA completes 80% acquisition of Italian aluminium recycler Eco Green

Dubai-based Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) has finalized its acquisition of an 80% stake in the Italian aluminium recycling company, Eco Green. This strategic move expands EGA's recycling footprint in Europe, elevating the company's global recycling capacity beyond 400,000 tonnes annually. The deal, initially announced in April, has successfully navigated through all necessary regulatory clearances and closing conditions.

Upon completion, Eco Green will operate under the EGA Eco Green brand name. The Scappini family, who established the company in 1993, will retain minority ownership and continue to hold management positions. By integrating Eco Green, EGA now boasts over 400,000 tonnes of aluminium recycling capacity across the UAE, the United States, Germany, and Italy. Additional capacity of 200,000 tonnes is currently in development.

Industry experts predict that recycled metal could make up approximately half of global aluminium demand by 2040. Currently, Europe, excluding Russia, ranks as the third-largest recycled aluminium market, trailing behind the United States and China. EGA also plays a significant role in supplying around 600,000 tonnes of primary aluminium to European industries each year.

Chief Executive Officer of EGA, Abdulnasser Bin Kalban, highlighted that the acquisition also brings EGA invaluable capabilities in Europe's aluminium scrap market, a crucial asset for the company's expanding recycling operations on the continent. Eco Green operates two plants in northeast Italy, specializing in aluminium scrap collection, sorting, and casting, as well as dross processing.

The company distributes over 70,000 tonnes annually and maintains a network of more than 350 aluminium scrap suppliers. Its Villafranca di Verona plant processes around 23,000 tonnes of aluminium scrap per year.

Some of this scrap is directed to its Nogara di Verona plant, which casts more than 20,000 tonnes of secondary aluminium annually, with a furnace capable of processing 30,000 tonnes. Eco Green is also expanding the Nogara facility, aiming to increase its recycled aluminium capacity by 20,000 tonnes annually, with completion expected in December 2026.

Eco Green's CEO, Luca Scappini, expressed that joining EGA opens up new avenues for growth, enabling the company to deliver even superior products and services to its clients. This acquisition also fosters enhanced opportunities for its workforce.