Emirates Business reported that Abu Dhabi Basic Industries Corporation will set up an aluminium plant with an estimated cost of AED 368 million in the upcoming Sheikh Khalifa Port and Industrial Zone in Taweelah.

The joint partnership was signed by ADBIC CEO Mr Jamal Al Dhaheri and Gulfex Executive Chairman Mr Majid Al Ghurair.

The corporation will develop the Aluminium Extrusion Plant in a joint venture with Dubai's Gulf Extrusions Company, which is one of the largest regional manufacturers of the product. The plant will manufacture aluminium extrusion products for the local and foreign markets.

Aluminium billets and liquid aluminium metal will be sourced from the adjacent 718,000 tonnes per annum Emirates Aluminium smelter, currently under construction in Taweelah.

The construction of the plant is scheduled to begin in the third quarter of 2010, and will produce 50,000tpa of aluminium extrusion and extrusion based niche oriented products such as high end architectural systems and automotive and engineering extrusions.

ADBIC said that “Building on its strategy to develop a sustainable industrial base in Abu Dhabi, Adbic has signed a memorandum of understanding with Gulf Extrusions Company.”

Mr Al Dhaheri said “We are very pleased to be partnering with Gulf Extrusions. Our collaboration serves to reinforce Adbic's focused efforts to expand the downstream manufacturing sector in Abu Dhabi. This partnership will position the UAE as a leading exporter of aluminium extrusions to international markets.”

Gulfex's annual production capacity in 2008 reached 50,000 tonnes per annum, producing more than 7,000 profiles, varying from architectural sections to components for household items, air conditioning grills and customised products for the automotive and engineering industries.

The corporation is an industrial development and investment company wholly-owned by the Abu Dhabi Government's General Holding Corporation (GHC) and focuses on base metals (aluminium, steel and copper), petrochemical and other industrial sectors.

(Sourced from Emirates Business)