Gulf Extrusions begins building new Qatar plant

Dubai: Gulf Extrusions, one of the largest aluminium extrusion plants in the Gulf, has announced that it recently launched the construction of a new plant in Qatar which is part of an intensified expansion strategy to double the company's production to 100,000 tonnes in the next six years.

The new expansion initiative will cater to a significant increase in demand for aluminium extrusions in the Middle East, which is expected to surge from 400,000 metric tonnes in 2007 to an average of 450,000 metric tonnes starting this year. Phase 1 of Gulf Extrusions' new facility will cost $32 million to build and will be located near the Qatalum aluminium smelter in Mesaieed. The Qatar plant is also Gulf Extrusions' first outside Jebel Ali and is expected to be operational by mid-2009.

"Gulf Extrusions has initiated an aggressive expansion strategy to cope with the steadily increasing demand for aluminium extrusions. There are now over $300 billion worth of construction projects planned with the next five years in the Middle East, and this is expected to strain the current supply of aluminium profiles," said Modar Al Mekdad, general manager, Gulf Extrusions.

Qatar's United Development Company has been assigned as the consultant of the project, which will add 10,000 tonnes of extruded products to company's annual production capacity. The second phase of the project will likewise involve the construction of another 10,000-tonne facility.

"The new facility has been strategically located to cater to high-growth markets, particularly Qatar, UAE, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. We have already secured the construction permit for the new plant and will award the construction package in June," added Al Mekdad.

Gulf Extrusions, a part of the Al Ghurair Group of Companies, produces profiles ranging from architectural sections to components for household items.

The new facility has been strategically located to cater to high-growth markets."

Modar Al Mekdad

General manager, Gulf Extrusions