Manufacturing and Industry
- The news you choose »
- Login to Add to Watchlist
Qafco-V plant set for 2011 start-up
Qatar's Deputy Premier Abdullah bin Hamad al-Attiyah has announced that Qatar Fertiliser Company's latest expansion, Qafco-V, is 'on schedule' and will be completed in late 2010 or early 2011, Gulf Times has reported. Qafco-V, a 75:25 joint venture between Industries Qatar and Norway-based Yara International, will boost the fertiliser major's urea production by 43% and ammonia by 73%.
Naffco facility on track for Jafza opening
UAE-based National Fire Fighting Manufacturing (Naffco), which makes fire fighting equipment, has said that construction on its one million square feet central production facility in Jebel Ali free Zone (Jafza) in Dubai is on schedule and set to be fully operational by the end of the year. Naffco's core business entails design, manufacturing, supply, installation and maintenance services of products from basic firefighting equipment to sophisticated fire trucks.
Borouge set to tender petrochem expansion
Abu Dhabi Polymers Company (Borouge) Ruwais petrochemicals complex is moving ahead of its expansion, and will tender construction contracts in October, worth more than $1bn, MEED has reported. Borouge is set to award the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contracts for the third-phase expansion of the complex. The expansion is expected to produce 4.5 million tonnes a year (t/y) of plastics at Ruwais.
Saudi petrochem exports fall
According to figures by the Saudi Central Department of Statistics, the kingdom's petrochemicals exports fell 27.8% in July compared with the same month last year, after dropping 22.2% in the second quarter, Reuters has reported. Exports of petrochemicals made in Saudi Arabia had amounted to SR2.49bn ($664m) in July, compared with SR3.45bn in July last year, the figures showed. Petrochemicals and plastics, produced by companies such as state-controlled Saudi Basic Industries Corp (Sabic) and Sipchem, account for about 54% of the overall value of the country's non-oil exports.
Emirates Steel posts raised Q3 figures
Emirates Steel Industries has said that its Q3 sales figures are higher than the second quarter, despite the global slump in demand, Reuters has reported. 'During the second quarter we ramped up the mills so we are running at full capacity of 1.8 million tons per year,' Ahmed AlـDhaheri, assistant vice president for projects said. Chief Executive Gregor Munstermann told reporters that the firm was looking at two possible acquisitions, but declined to give details.
ADBIC appoints new CEO
Abu Dhabi Basic Industries Corporation (ADBIC) announced the appointment of Eng. Jamal Salem Al Dhaheri as the company's new CEO, effective from October 1st. Al Dhaheri was earlier holding the post of Senior Vice President of Metals at ADBIC.
Obeikan to build largest float glass plant in Gulf
Saudi Arabia-based Obeikan Glass has anounced plans to set up the largest float glass plant in the Gulf, Saudi Gazette has reported. Located in Yanbu, the fully integrated facility will produce 800 tonnes per day of clear and tinted glass feature, with on-line coatings. The plant's design and the supply of the main process equipment were awarded to the French engineering firm, Fives Stein.
Shuaiba joins venture in Sudan
Shuaiba Industrial Company, a Kuwait-based paper materials manufacturer, has signed an $11m deal to acquire a 33% stake in Sudan-based cement sacs manufacturer, Atbra Cement Company, KUNA has reported.
North Cement needs $70m to boost production
Iraq's Ministry of Industry and Minerals has said that state-run North Cement Company is seeking $70m to increase its production at its new Hamam al-Aleel factory, Aswat al-Iraq news agency has reported. The North Cement Company has developed a five-year plan to increase its production to meet the demands of the local market and to reduce imports, the ministry said.
Rubber World launches new products
UAE-based manufacturer of closed-cell rubber insulation 'Gulf-O-flex', Rubber World Industries (RWI) has launched its latest range of heating, ventilation and air conditioning products in the Middle East. The new products include non-adhesive sheets, self-adhesive sheets, aluminium foil plated sheets, PVC tapes, aluminium tapes and foam tapes.
Ajinomoto eyes Middle East takeovers
Japanese seasonings maker, Ajinomoto has said it may spend more than 100bn yen ($1.1bn) on expansions in emerging markets including the Middle East and Africa over the next three years, Bloomberg has reported. "We haven't set a limit on the amount because it depends on available opportunities," CEO Masatoshi Ito said.
UAE's Ajman to build waste recycling plant
Ajman Municipality and Planning Department in the UAE is expected to select a company within the next six weeks to build the emirate's waste recycling plant. Once built, the plant will recycle a range of materials, with plans to handle 80% of Ajman's waste in its first year of operation, rising to 90% from the second year.
Adnoc set to boost naphta premiums
Abu Dhabi National Oil Co (Adnoc) is set to hold term talks in October aimed to boost naphtha premiums in January-December 2010, Reuters has reported. Traders have set a high single-digit premiums for Adnoc for its 12-month supplies, against the $10.50-$12.50 a tonne premium fetched in the last round for July 2009-June 2010 cargoes. Additional supplies are expected form Adnoc once its new condensate splitter and gas field come online from next year.
Lebanon's Uniceramic declares bankruptcy
Lebanon's largest ceramics manufacturer, Uniceramic, declared bankruptcy on September 17 after having incurred $10.18m in losses and being unable to fund its liquidity shortage, The Daily Star has reported. The company, which was founded in 1973, shut down operations and laid off the bulk of its staff in April 2008 due to the high cost of energy and tough competition. According to reports, Uniceramic's bankruptcy was mainly caused by failing to compete with imported products whose manufacturing costs were 73% less.
Dow to open Middle East research centre
US-based Dow Chemical Company, in partnership with King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), plans to establish the Dow Middle East R&D Centre at KAUST's adjacent Research Park and Innovation Cluster. Initial research at the will focus on water and water treatment technologies, eventually expanding its scope to oil and gas, processes research and development, and infrastructure materials. The R&D centre is scheduled for completion by the end of 2010.
It looks like you are using a Mac - check out our 
Web Feeds