Plant to make ceramic industry chemicals inaugurated in RAK

Ras Al Khaimah: The new manufacturing plant of RAK Chimica, a joint venture between global ceramic major RAK Ceramics and Smaltochimica group of Italy, to manufacture chemicals used in ceramic industry was inaugurated yesterday.

The state-of-the-art plant was inaugurated by Shaikh Omar Bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Chairman of RAK Ruler's Private Affairs Department, in the presence of Dr Khater Massaad, Adviser to the RAK Crown Prince and CEO of RAK Ceramics, and Dr Ivano Piccinini, President of Smaltochimica.

The plant, situated near the RAK Ceramics complex, will initially produce around 460 tonnes of printing oils for the ceramic industry per month and plans to manufacture around 400 tonnes of ceramic body preparation chemicals per month in the first year of operations.

Smaltochimica is a world leader in the production of decoration chemical products needed for the ceramic industry. The new venture marks a milestone as it is the first plant to produce tailor-made ceramic chemicals in the region.

Dr Massaad said the establishment of RAK Chimica would offer a competitive edge to RAK Ceramics through import substitution of chemicals and also by bringing in advanced technological know-how.

"The new venture is in line with our strategy to have clustering of industries related to ceramic production near our manufacturing base," he said.

Dr Massaad added that RAK Ceramics will have a 51 per cent stake in RAK Chimica with Smaltochimica holding the remaining 49 per cent. The RAK Chimica plant has been set up with an investment of Dh6 million.

He said that apart from catering to the needs of RAK Ceramics, RAK Chimica will sell its products to other regional ceramic manufacturers also.

Dr Piccinini said he was proud to partner with RAK Ceramics, which has emerged as the leader in the global ceramic industry.

RAK Chimica plant will prepare the world's finest quality chemical medium for ceramic industries in the fully automated manufacturing facility.