Gulf Extrusion, one of the Gulf's largest aluminium extrusion plants, is embarking on an ambitious US$160mn expansion plan to double its production levels within the next six years to keep up with the anticipated rise in demand for aluminium in the region.
Modar Al Mekdad, general manager of Gulf Extrusion, comments: "There are now over US$300bn 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."
Demand for aluminium reached 400,000 tonnes in 2007 and it is estimated that this figure will increase to 450,000 tonnes this year. Gulf Extrusion plans to build several new plants, beginning with a new US$32mn facility in Mesaieed, Qatar.
Al Mekdad adds: "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."
Approximately 70% of Gulf Extrusion's products go to domestic markets in the United Arab Emirates while the rest are exported to Southeast Asia, other GCC countries, Europe and Canada.
Last Updated March 26, 2008
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