Aluminum Bahrain B.S.C. announced (Alba), the world’s largest single-site aluminum smelter, has announced a strategic partnership with Shandong Innovation Group (SIG), a global integrated manufacturer of aluminum products and raw materials, and BlueFive Capital, a global investment firm specializing in cross-border business and investments between the GCC and Asia. This tripartite agreement, which was signed on the sidelines of the Gulf Gateway Forum 2025 in the Kingdom of Bahrain, represents an initial step in strategic efforts aimed at enhancing integration in the global aluminum supply chain, starting with primary aluminum smelting operations and ending with the manufacturing of high-value downstream products.
This cooperation brings together Alba’s capabilities in terms of the scale of its operations and its experience as the largest single-site aluminum smelter in the world, the capabilities of the Shandong Innovation Group in manufacturing advanced aluminum alloys and innovative materials, in addition to BlueFive Capital’s role as a strategic partner in projects linking the GCC region and Asia.
This agreement establishes a framework for discussing aspects of common interest, including joint investments, exchanging knowledge and experiences on best practices, as well as concluding strategic international alliances.
On this occasion, Alba’s CEO, Ali Al Baqali, commented:
“Signing this strategic Memorandum of Understanding with our partners confirms our commitment to achieving flexibility and securing resources through important alliances in the global aluminum industry.
While we maintain our position as the largest single-site smelter in the world, this alliance provides us with the appropriate mechanism to explore investment opportunities to supply raw materials from outside the Kingdom of Bahrain.
By securing the flow of our raw material needs and expanding our presence in international markets, we are taking confident steps to maintain our leadership and secure a promising future for the industrial sector in the Kingdom.”
For his part, Vice Chairman of Shandong Innovation Group, Charles Cui, said:
“Shandong Innovation Group is excited to unite its world-class manufacturing capabilities with Alba’s leadership in aluminum smelting and BlueFive Capital’s strategic vision.
This partnership is based on a shared vision for a more integrated and resilient global aluminum industry.
“We are committed to leveraging our capabilities to provide safe and innovative supply chains for critical materials, and sharing our expertise in setting new industry standards globally.”
For his part, the founder and CEO of BlueFive Capital, Hazem Bin Qasim, said:
“Today’s agreement signing represents the cornerstone of a solid tripartite bridge linking industrial leadership, technological innovation, and strategic capital.
BlueFive Capital is proud of its role as a catalyst for this cooperation, in line with our mission to build partnerships that not only achieve financial returns, but also open new growth horizons for our partners outside their traditional markets and in this case, creating a new model for cross-border cooperation between the Kingdom of Bahrain and China.”
