Oman firm on track to double aluminium production

01/07/2015 03:32 AST

Oman-based National Aluminium Products Company (Napco) said its expansion plan to double capacity is on track with equipment beginning to arrive in the sultanate ahead of schedule.

The premier extruder of aluminium profiles in the GCC is planning to launch new products and services, in a bid to broaden its regional and international market reach.

Napco has ordered two fully automated extrusion presses from Spain's Tecalex and a vertical powder coating line from Trasmetal, Italy, to double its current capacity of 18,000 tonnes per year.

The company is now receiving the commissioned machinery components which will continue to arrive until October, said a statement from the company.

The teams from Tecalex and Trasmetal will be present for assembling the machines, while local suppliers will provide services for fabrication, erection and other mechanical works to build the fully functional plant, it stated.

While the first press will be operational by September 2015, the second will be on stream by December, with the powder coating line to be ready by October, Napco said in its statement.

On the expansion plan, CEO Robert Holtkamp said: "It is progressing as planned, with Phase One work to be completed soon even as the new extrusion press and powder coating line become fully operational by October 2015."

"Phase Two is scheduled to be completed by early next year," he added.

While doubling capacity, its extrusion presses will enable production of different profiles to better serve new markets, Napco said.

Furthermore, the new vertical powder coating line will extend capacity from 7,000 tonnes to 27,000 tonnes, it added.

"Our current strategy is driven by our commitment to serve our customers better and complements our vision to provide high-quality extrusions to Oman and the rest of the GCC and beyond," stated Holtkamp. "Over the medium term, we aim to become one of the top five extruders in the GCC," he added.

Napco has been part of several landmark projects in Oman and the rest of the region. Its current portfolio in Dubai, UAE, includes Citywalk, an upcoming retail destination on the junction of Al Wasl and Safa Roads; Onyx Tower, a three-tower commercial project close to Emaar Business Park on Sheikh Zayed Road; Dubai Design District (d3), an ambitious and innovative purpose-built destination for creatives.

It is also working on Abu Dhabi Plaza, a mixed-use development in Astana, Kazakhstan.

Napco's long list of developments include the Supreme Court in Muscat and Salalah Airport (Oman); and the Dubai International Airport expansion, the Burj Khalifa, and the Al Rayyan Complex (UAE).

Trade Arabia