DOHA: Qatar Aluminum (Qatalum) will inaugurate its aluminum smelter in Mesaieed Industrial City on April 12, the company said yesterday in a news release. The Deputy Premier and Minister of Energy and Industry H E Abdullah bin Hamad Al Attiyah hailed the launch of the aluminum industry, saying, "By pioneering a new industry in our country, Qatalum is already greatly benefiting the long-term development of the State of Qatar. The opening of this plant is in line with the vision of the Emir, H H Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani, for the optimal utilisation of the country's natural resources and to achieve economic diversification. We applaud Qatalum for making a long-term investment in the people of Qatar."
Qatalum was established in 2006 as a 50-50 joint venture between Qatar Petroleum (QP) and Norwegian company Norsk Hydro, and is expected to be fully operational this year. Qatalum is expected to produce 585,000 tons of premium-quality aluminum per annum. This fully-integrated aluminum plant in Mesaieed Industrial City occupies an area of approximately 2.7 square kilometers and consists of a smelter, casthouse and carbon plant as well as a captive power plant, port and storage facilities.
Through a combination of the most advanced Pot Tending Machines in the world and the plant's four Fume Treatment Plants, where process gasses go through dry and wet scrubbing, Qatalum's emissions are very well controlled. Qatalum has also incorporated a port and storage areas into its facility in order to increase efficiency and streamline the production process.
The use of this specialized technology and site integration has made Qatalum one of the world's most efficient and environmentally- friendly aluminum producers. "Our company's dedication to sustainability and environmental integrity, along with our operational performance and technological-edge, is putting Qatar at the forefront of the region's aluminum industry," said Qatalum CEO, Jan Arve Haugan.
Qatar's vast gas reserves, industrial infrastructure and market flexibility between Europe and Asia have made the start-up of Qatalum a strategic investment for the country.
Creating more than 20,000 jobs during construction and providing more than 1,000 permanent jobs in the local community of Mesaieed, Qatalum is already a significant player in Qatar's economy. When operational, Qatalum is expected to enhance the national GDP by approximately $1.5bn per annum and to lead to significant downstream diversification for the country.
© The Peninsula 2010
