Qatalum Talks Future of Aluminium At QSTP Symposium

Doha, January 26 (QNA) - Qatalum, the Qatari aluminium smelter, took part in the Aluminium Symposium, held at the Qatar Science Technology Park (QSTP). The seminar held last Tuesday was etitled, "Aluminium - The Sustainable Modern Metal For The Future of Qatar", and the importance of the event and audience was clear in the presence of several in-house experts and senior management from the company, and from the other institutions taking part, to discuss the future of the industry and the challenge and opportunities that await. Sharing the podium alongside Hydro (the Norwegian producer), Qatar University and the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Qatalum participated in a full day seminar covering the advantages and modalities of the usage of aluminium as a structural and engineering material. Qatalum s CEO Mr. Tom Petter Johansen took advantage of the senior audience to give a wide-ranging and provocative presentation, which outlined Qatalum's perspective on the trends in the global aluminium industry and forecasted usage growth in Qatar and the other GCC countries. Mr. Johansen took the assembled experts through a tour of the history of growth in aluminium demand, the multitude of opportunities for aluminium brought about by global mega trends, primary production in the GCC (the fastest growth of primary aluminium production outside China), and the reasons underpinning growth in primary aluminium capacity in the Gulf region including the metal s high versatility and the development of aluminium downstream industries. He also outlined specifically Qatar s great downstream aluminium opportunities, and presented an informative slideshow of images of aluminium in architecture, packaging and the automotive industry. "There has never been a more exciting time to be working in this industry, and there is nowhere more exciting to be than here in Qatar", he said. "The opportunities for growth, diversification and innovation have barely scratched the surface, and Qatalum is proud to be at the forefront of the industry s future here and internationally", he added. The Aluminium Symposium took place at the Qatar Science and Technology Park the national agency charged with executing applied research and delivering commercialized technologies in four themed areas: Energy, Environment, Health Sciences, and ICT. QSTP members include small companies, international corporations and research institutes that have together committed to fund ventures, create intellectual property, enhance technology management skills, and develop innovative products in line with the scientific and research components of Qatar National Vision 2030. Earlier on Monday , January, 21, a 17 month contract was signed between Qatalum and Dutco McConnell Dowell (Qatar) LLC. to construct the relining facility which will provide all workshop needs for the renewal of lining for pots reaching the end of their operational life. The US$ 28.5 million contract signing took place in the Al Zubara meeting room within Qatalum and in attendance was the CEO and DCEO, Bergitte Husa Kippernes, Manager Operational Support, owner s representative for the Relining Facility Project, Procurement Manager, Head of Contracts and the Senior Buyer for the project and the contractor representatives. This is the largest value CAPEX project undertaken by Qatalum since its initial project. The tender was launched on the 20th May 2012 with its closing taking place on the 6th September 2012. The contract was awarded on the 19th of December 2012 with the project completion agreed for full operation by May, 2014. The new facility will be located in an area outside the existing Qatalum Phase 1 smelter. This area will be leased by Qatalum from MIC and a fence arrangement will be adapted to include the new location within the Qatalum fence upon completion of the project. The facility consists of the following: ? Construction of land bridge between the Qatalum smelter and new site ? Relining buildings with associated systems and equipment ? Anode superstructure workshop with associated systems and equipment ? Offices, restrooms with furnishing and associated systems ? Cathode cooling and parking station ? Area for storage of spent pot lining (SPL) containers. An important part of the project consists of the reinforcement of 4 of 5 existing ramps and the reinforcement of 2 additional quarter passageways within the existing smelter potrooms. Resurfacing of the access road running from the northern end of potrooms will also be a part of the project. Bergitte Husa Kippernes, Manager Operational Support, Owner s representative for Relining Facility Project commented, "Relining Facility Project is the biggest and most expensive project that the Qatalum organisation has developed after the start-up of the plant. Throughout the last two years we have, in parallel, been developing both the project scope for the relining facility project itself and the general approval procedures and practices for business plan projects within Qatalum. "I consider today s signing a major achievement for Qatalum, as it is based upon the combined efforts from several dedicated persons, from many different departments within Qatalum and over a long time span." Jeremy Coles, Managing Director of Dutco McConnell Dowell Qatar added, "We are very pleased to have been selected as the successful bidder to execute the Relining Facility Project. This enables us to further develop the solid relationship we have with Qatalum that commenced with our participation in the construction of the initial plant in 2008. We look forward to another successful project with the Qatalum projects team." Ultimately the project will result in Qatalum being able to carry out renewal of our production units in a timely and safe manner, and to keep our production targets at a steady level. It is worth to mention that Qatalum is an equal joint venture between Qatar Petroleum and Hydro Aluminium of Norway, with a production capacity of 600,000 tons of high-quality primary aluminium products per annum from twin 1.2 kilometre potlines. Qatalum s complex facilities include a carbon plant, port and storage facilities, as well as a captive power plant. The state-of-the-art cast house produces value-added products such as extrusion ingots and foundry alloys that meet the stringent quality standards of Qatalum s global customer base. Used in a variety of industries including the automotive, construction, engineering and in the manufacturing of consumer goods, by the end of its journey, Qatalum s aluminium reaches the entire global community. Qatalum has a dynamic and diversified work force, representing over 37 nationalities and is perusing industrial diversity for Qatar and its people by actively creating a future of environmental sustainability and economic opportunities. (QNA)