UK corrosion experts to open Mid East office

It will spearhead its assault on the region's market at next month's Chemtex and Corrosion Middle East 2003, the Middle East's only international exhibition for the chemical, petrochemical, chemical process technology, corrosion control and management industries.

'We are very interested in starting operations in the Middle East and as a first step are opening an office in the United Arab Emirates, along with warehousing facilities for stocking materials,' said Robert Gough, Business Manager, IMG Offshore.

'We have chosen the UAE due to its strategic location. It is a regional hub for the transit of materials and personnel to the rest of the Middle East and the Indian Sub-continent.

According to IMG Offshore the high tensile, high technology composite wrapping materials can be used to seal leaks from 2mm up to 100mm and replace the strength and integrity of pipe wall thickness lost due to corrosion or erosion.

The composite technology, tried and tested in harsh North Sea, can be applied offshore both topside, sub-sea and onshore, above or below ground, to provide a permanent repair solution lasting 20 years or more.

'The time and cost benefits are very significant. No hot work is required and application can, in most cases, be carried out on-line avoiding costly shutdowns,' said Gough.

Chemtex and Corrosion organisers International Expo-Consults (IEC) says the exhibition, to be held at the Dubai International Exhibition Centre (DIEC) from March 4-6, will be a showcase for the latest anti-corrosion technologies and thinking for both the upstream and downstream sectors.

'Industry studies have shown that up to a quarter of the direct cost of corrosion could be saved if the latest corrosion management products and methods are utilised,' said Mohammed Falaknaz, Vice President, IEC.

Chemtex and Corrosion 2003 will be the largest in the event's history, featuring national or industry pavilions from India, Korea, China and Canada.

The exhibition is officially supported by the Government of Dubai's Department of Economic Development and Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing and the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry.