Qatar aluminium foray ‘strategic’

Qatalum has tremendous prospects in emerging markets and is strategically positioned to supply consumers in Asia and Europe alike, chief executive officer Jan Arve Haughan has said.

Qatalum's value-added aluminium products can be used in an unlimited variety of manufacturing applications and products in building and construction, transportation, general engineering and leisure industries and in household durables.

"When we look outside, we see a lot of construction activities. Aluminium is a key component in construction and other main sectors,” Haughan said.

The $5.7bn world-scale aluminium smelter is being inaugurated at Mesaieed today.

Upon completion, Qatalum will have the ability to produce 585,000 tons of primary aluminium products a year.

The fully-integrated aluminium plant in Mesaieed Industrial City occupies an area of about 2.7sq km and consists of a reduction plant, casthouse and carbon plant as well as a captive power plant and port and storage facilities.

Haughan said: “The opening of the primary aluminium industry was a strategic investment for Qatar because of the country's gas reserves, industrial infrastructure and market flexibility between Europe and Asia.

"Aluminium is a versatile and sustainable metal used in a wide range of products, many of which we use in our everyday lives. Qatalum is proud to be leading the development of this promising sector for the country.“

Haughan said production would be ramped up throughout this year to reach the targeted annual capacity of 585,000 tons of primary aluminium products.

He declined to comment on the company's second phase expansion project and plans to list on the local stock market.

"These are not within our mandate,“ Haughan said.

Qatalum deputy chief executive officer Hassan al-Rashid said the region was important for the Mesaieed-based aluminium company and already shipments had been made to Saudi Arabia.

"We are looking at exporting our products to Morocco and Turkey as well,“ al-Rashid said.

Qatalum made its first shipment of aluminium foundry alloys to India in December 2009. The project's first extrusion ingot line has been in operation since January and the remaining production lines will be completed and handed over to Qatalum in the coming months.

He said Qatalum offered its employees a positive working environment that promotes teamwork and productivity, while supporting their professional and career development.

"Our social initiatives such as Qatalum Family Day and our provision of high grade employee housing and club facilities also demonstrate our investment in the well-being of our staff and workforce.

"Qatalum co-sponsors a professor's chair in the College of Engineering at Qatar University and has also participated in local career fairs to reach out to students and make them aware of employment opportunities within the company.”