Balexco to set up Qatar aluminium extrusion plant

Bahrain Aluminium Extrusion Co (Balexco) will set up an aluminium extrusion factory in Qatar at a cost of Dh82.5 million (8.5 million dinars). The new factory, to be established jointly with Qatari investors, is the latest in a series of joint projects undertaken by the two sides following the peaceful resolution of territorial disputes between the two countries.

Balexco Managing Director Nabil Hadi said, "The partnership with Qatari investors reflects the continued efforts to enhance cooperation between the two countries as both will benefit."
He said the Qatari authorities provided all the assistance and support for this project and is encouraging this investment. This is the first such project in Qatar.

Balexco Qatar will produce the same products as Balexco Bahrain, with the factory to have an annual capacity of 6,000-7,000 tonnes, a powder coating plant of capacity 2,000 tonnes, and an anodising plant of capacity 3,000 tonnes.

The project will be tendered for bidding and site preparation will take three months, while completion of the construction up to trial runs will take another 12-18 months, before commercial operations commence.

He said the construction of the project will be in three phases: the anodising factory, powder coating, and finally the aluminium extrusion plant. The factory will be spread across 47,000 square metres.

Balexco currently has a 50 per cent Qatari market share. Its annual capacity utilisation is 92 per cent, with the new venture aimed at increasing this share while making available capacity in its Bahrain plant to address other markets. This factory will boost total GCC production of extruded aluminium to about 150,000 tonnes annually.