ICI Dulux Middle East sales rise by 35 per cent to AED260 million in 2006

The bulk of last year's sales growth was generated by the decorative and architectural coatings market, which comprised 91 per cent of ICI Dulux Paints' global turnover of AED17.6 billion (£ 2.4billion).

With several new projects being launched and freehold ownership gaining momentum, Dulux's Middle East sales are estimated to reach more than AED750 million by 2012.

"The decorative paints market in the UAE is evolving at a rapid pace," said Tony Myers, Managing Director of ICI Paints decorative licensing and export business (DLEB). "Dubai's booming hospitality, healthcare and real estate sectors have prompted the need for higher quality and durable finishes in hospitals, restaurants and affluent homes."

Tony Myers visited Dubai with Martin Bartley, Business Development Director, DLEB, to address a seminar on 'Innovations in Colours and Paints' at Grosvenor House recently. The event attracted more than 200 UAE & Qatar based consultants, leading property developers, project managers, architects, engineers and designers.

Two new products were launched at the seminar. Sterishield, a breakthrough product especially formulated to prevent the spread of harmful bacteria on walls and ceilings of clinics, surgery rooms, hospitals, care centres and residences, as well as kitchens and food preparation areas.

In the household paint market, Dulux's new Royal Touch premium washable emulsion is a first-of-its-kind in the region, combining a luxurious and smooth sheen with high durability for internal wall surfaces. Available in more than 20,000 shades, the product offers high stain resistance with anti-bacterial, flame retardant and crack bridging properties.

Ashish Chaturvedy, Manager, Marketing and Business Development for Al Gurg Leigh Paints (AGLP), said: "We are seeing growing regional demand for quality products and services which are safe and environment friendly. The launch of innovative products like Royal Touch and Sterishield in the UAE addresses this demand, establishing us as industry leaders."

Decorative and protective coatings for buildings account for half of the world's consumption of paint. ICI Paints produces 1.4 billion litres of paint each year, which is enough to cover approximately 2.8 million football pitches or paint every house in Los Angeles, Beijing and London combined.

Headquartered in the UK, ICI Dulux Paints operates 50 factories in 25 countries, selling in more than 170 markets. In the Middle East, ICI Dulux is produced in Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Yemen and the UAE and is distributed to Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar in the GCC, as well as the Palestinian Authority, Iran, Iraq, Syria and Lebanon. Globally, ICI spends almost AED220 million on Research and Development each year.