DhabiAbu Dhabi, May 14th, 2007 (WAM) - Sultan International Holdingand Saint-Gobain Gypsum has recently announced the establishmentof a new 30 million square metre plasterboard plant in Abu Dhabi.

Saint Gobain Gyproc Emirates Industries located at the ICAD 1,Industrial City of Abu Dhabi in Mussaffah, will produce a widerange of environmentally friendly plasterboard products andsystems according to international standards such as BIN, DIN,ASTN. The plant will also integrate other group products intothe systems such as Saint Gobain-Isover Insulation.

Industrial City of Abu Dhabi managed by the Higher Corporationfor Specialised Economic Zones Corp, HCSEZ, was the preferredlocation due to its excellent infrastructure and facilities availableincluding large quantities of natural gas and pure water thatare essential in the production process. The factory's new waterfrontlocation also provides raw material import and regional exportsof finished products.

The first phase of the project consists of the construction ofthe 30 million sq.m plasterboard factory as well as the establishmentof a training school/academy for contractors and distributorsin drywall systems.

Phase 2 and 3 of the project will involve the expansion of theinitial production of the plasterboard capacity to be followedby the manufacturing of a range of complimentary products suchas finished ceilings, gypsum powers and ready mix joint fillerproducts.

Saint Gobain Gyproc Emirates Industries LLC, SGGE, has been establishedby a joint venture between Sultan International Holdings andBPB Middle East FZE, part of the Saint Gobain group of companies.

SGGE aims to take a clear leadership position across the Gulfregion and in preparation of this BPB Middle East FZE is currentlyimporting about 2 million square metres of plasterboard all overthe Gulf from various plants across South East Asia.