International Aluminium Institute appoints Ali Al Baqali as new Board Chair
Ali Al Baqali replaces Hindalco’s Satish Pai who was in the role for the last two years.
The International Aluminium Institute (IAI) has announced the appointment of Ali Al Baqali as its new Chair.
Al Baqali is the CEO of Aluminium Bahrain BSC (Alba), one of the world’s largest aluminium smelters. He succeeds Satish Pai, the managing director of Hindalco Industries, who will be a Vice-Chair.
Miles Prosser, Secretary General of IAI, said “Ali is an exceptional leader who has been at the forefront of the sustainability transformation of Alba. He has been an active member of the IAI Board and will be an excellent Chair, and I very much look forward to working with him. With his proven track record of innovation and drive for a global sustainable industry, we are confident in his ability to steer our industry towards unprecedented growth and sustainability.
“I would also like to thank Satish for his vision, support and leadership. He has made a very important contribution not only to the development of this association but to the entire industry. On behalf of the members and staff, I’d like to thank him for his service and look forward to his continued contribution to our work.”
The IAI’s purpose is to promote the sustainable development of the aluminium industry and increase demand for aluminium products by raising awareness of their unique and valuable properties.
Al Baqali was appointed CEO of Alba in August 2019, culminating a remarkable journey that began in 1998 as a purchasing officer. His leadership has been instrumental in driving Alba’s commitment to sustainability. A firm believer in Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles, he wasn’t just an advocate, he was the driving force behind the development of Alba’s comprehensive ESG roadmap.
“I am incredibly humbled to take on the leadership of the IAI at this critical juncture. We face many challenges within the industry, particularly climate change, and I am committed to guiding the IAI towards a sustainable future,” he said.
“The aluminium sector is undergoing a seismic shift, and we are no longer bystanders but active participants in building a sustainable future. Our future will be driven by action, not just awareness and together we are actively making significant strides from championing aggressive recycling initiatives to spearheading groundbreaking decarbonisation programmes.
“I, as a firm believer in ESG principles and a champion for sustainability, am energized by the prospect of working alongside my esteemed IAI board members. Together, we will not only continue to improve, but we will redefine what’s possible for our industry’s sustainable future.” he added.
Educated in the UK, Bahrain, France and the holder of an Executive MBA from the University of Virginia, Al Baqali is recognised as one of the top business leaders in the Middle East.
The IAI has also announced that John Thuestad (Hydro), Luciano Alves (CBA), Tolga Egrilmezer (Rio Tinto), John Slaven (Vedanta), Abdulnasser Bin Kalban (EGA), Shuichi Asakuno (Nippon Light Metal) and Xiangdong Duan (Chinalco), have been appointed Vice-Chairs.
IAI members are engaged in the production of bauxite, alumina, aluminium, the recycling of aluminium, or the fabrication of aluminium in all major producing regions.
For more information about the IAI and its work, visit www.international-aluminium.org.
ENDS
Media enquiries:
IAI: Adisa Amanor-Wilks, media@international-aluminium.org
Alba: Eline Hilal, eline.hilal@alba.com.bh
About International Aluminium Institute
The International Aluminium Institute (IAI) is the only body representing the global primary aluminium industry. The Institute has the most comprehensive global data on Aluminium with more than 50 years of analysis on production, consumption, energy use and environmental impact. For more information, visit www.international-aluminium.org,or connect with us on X and LinkedIn.
About Alba
A Global Aluminium Leader: At plus-1.62 million metric tonnes per annum (mtpa) (2023), Alba is a world-leading aluminium smelter with a proud 50-year legacy in operational excellence, safety, environmental responsibility, and community development.
Trusted Partner: A cornerstone of the Bahrain’s economy, Alba produces high-quality aluminium, including standard and value-added products, which are exported to over 270 customers globally. With sales’ offices in Europe (Zurich), Asia (Singapore), and a subsidiary in the U.S., Alba is a reliable partner on the world stage. Alba is dually listed on Bahrain Bourse and London Stock Exchange and its shareholders are Bahrain Mumtalakat Holding Company B.S.C. © (69.38%), SABIC Industrial Investments Company (SIIC) (20.62%) and General Public (10%). Alba prioritizes the highest quality standards, reflected in its certifications: ISO 9001 (quality), ISO 14001 (environment), ISO 27001 (information security), ISO 45001 (occupational health and safety), and ISO 18788 (security operations management). Additionally, Alba demonstrates its commitment to responsible manufacturing through certifications like IATF 16949 (automotive quality), ISO 22301 (business continuity), and ASI Performance and Chain of Custody Standards. This dedication is further underscored by their top 1% Ecovadis Platinum rating for sustainability.
Pioneering Sustainability: Recognised for its environmental practices, social contributions, and corporate governance, Alba launched a comprehensive ESG Roadmap in 2022 focusing on 6 priority areas: (1) Decarbonisation, (2) Green Energy & Aluminium, (3) Circular Economy & Secondary Aluminium, (4) Employee Welfare, (5) Collaboration & Partnership and (6) Transparency, Communications & Due Diligence. Since its inception, Alba has invested into numerous environment, sustainable and socio-economic development projects that have had a positive impact on the society. Alba’s first-of-its-kind US$37.5 million zero-waste Spent Pot Lining Treatment Plant, the upcoming +6 MW Solar Farm Project and the Power Station 5 Block 4 Project are tangible initiatives aligned with Bahrain’s Net Zero Carbon Targets by 2060 led by HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Bahrain.
In a significant step towards its ESG goals, particularly its commitment to a circular economy and secondary aluminium, Alba introduced EternAl, its new line of low-carbon aluminium products. Launched in May 2024, EternAl offers two initial variants: EternAl-30 and EternAl-15, containing 30% and 15% recycled content respectively.