Chemtex and Corrosion opens with 45 companies from 15 countries participating

Speaking at Chemtex and Corrosion Middle East 2004 - the region's only international exhibition for the chemical, petrochemical, chemical process technology, corrosion control and management industries - Philip M Lynch, the US-based company's chairman, said effective corrosion control is critical to protecting the region's industrial value.

'There are no definitive figures for the Middle East. But in the US corrosion is a US $270 billion problem. That equates to 3%-4% of GNP, a pattern repeated in other countries, including the Middle East,' said Lynch,

'Throughout the region there is growing awareness of the long-term benefits and cost savings associated with effective corrosion management and control. This is driving demand for the latest technologies and products.'

According to Dubai-based BAC-MEECC Middle East, a joint venture between the UK's BAC Corrosion Control, a market leader in cathodic protection, and Middle East Engineers and Corrosion Control, regional sales of anti-corrosion products top US $1 billion annually. Sales of cathodic equipment alone amount to US 30m a year.

'Effective corrosion management can ensure petrochemical and chemical plants continue to operate efficiently for between 35 and 40 years,' said G R Prabhu, General Manager, BAC-MEECC Middle East.

The company recently won an order from the Qatar Petroleum Company for the installation of cathodic protection at a new tank farm worth US $225,000.

Chemtex and Corrosion Middle East 2004, organized by International Expo-Consults (IEC) began a three-day run at the Dubai International Exhibition Centre (DIEC) today. The event, that serves the region's US $33 billion petrochemical and chemicals industry, was inaugurated by Ahmed bin Byat, Director General of the Dubai Technology and Media Free Zone.

The exhibition features 45 companies from 15 countries. China, with its first Chemtex and Corrosion national pavilion, has the largest delegation of 15 companies, followed by the UAE. Other countries taking part are Belgium, Egypt, Germany, India, Iran, Italy, Kuwait, Malaysia, Morocco, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom and the United States.

On Tuesday the event will today feature two seminars on' Corrosion Control Requirements in Military Applications' (11am to 11.30am) and 'Corrosion Protection System for Crude Oil Storage Tank Tops' (11.45am to 12.15pm, presented by Northern Technologies International Corporation. In addition seminars on 'Rheology Modifiers from Hydroyethyl Galactomannan in Water Based Paints' (12.15pm to 1pm), presented by Technical Encore Natural Polymers and 'Making Industrial Operations More Competitive by Selecting Stainless Steel (5pm to 6pm), presented by National Association of Corrosion Engineers Awardee, Dr Jean-Pierre Audouard, will also take place.

Chemtex and Corrosion Middle East 2004, which will run until Thursday at the DIEC, has a renewed focus on chemical process technology, an initiative taken by IEC in response to strong industry demand.

'Low feedstock prices give the region an unparalleled production cost advantage,' said Mohammed Falaknaz, Vice President, IEC. 'This, combined with more liberal foreign investment rules and a willingness by governments to invest in the latest downstream chemical process technology, is helping drive double digit sector growth and stimulating international interest in the region.'

Chemtex and Corrosion Middle East 2004 is open from 10am until 1pm and from 4.30pm until 8.30pm daily at Hall 4, DIEC. Admission is free for trade visitors only. The show is supported by Dubai's Department of Economic Development and Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) and the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry.