DOHA: Aluminium industry leader Qatalum attended ‘The Arab International Aluminium Conference and Exhibition (ARABAL) 2015’ as a platinum sponsor of the event and with a host of innovations to share with those in attendance, said a statement yesterday.
Hosted in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, for the 19th year, ARABAL is the premium trade event for the Middle East’s aluminium industry and the only conference in the world attended by all primary aluminium manufacturers from the region.
The welcoming address was made by Mohammad Al Naki, Chairman of ARABAL who praised Saudi Arabia’s initiative to host the conference and highlighted the country’s increasing drive to diversify from the hydrocarbon industry, highlighting that of aluminium.
Among Qatalum’s representatives was CEO Khalid Laram, who offered a presentation which preceded the panel discussion, involving all CEO, on ‘The Contribution of Education and People’ as a prospect for the GCC aluminium sector, during the first day of the event.
Deon Earle, HSE Manager for Qatalum, moderated during a separate session on ‘HSE best practices in the Gulf’.
During his presentation, Qatalum’s CEO shared a number of key milestones recently reached by Qatalum. The company recently achieved the globally recognised environmental ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001 certification while aluminium production in 2014 reached 6 percent above the plant’s design capacity.
With Qatalum’s ISO/TS 16949 certification for foundry alloy products, it produces premium quality value added products with 60 percent production being sold to meet the growing and precision orientated automotive sector.
“The aluminium industry is growing year on year and the increasing number of milestones Qatalum is able to present at ARABAL each year is a clear sign of the smelters successful evolution. Our premium aluminium with its ‘Made in Qatar’ brand of quality contributes to the aluminium business not only in the Gulf but across the world. The Qatalum delegation is proud to attend every ARABAL,” said Khalid Laram.
Additionally, imperative aspects of Laram’s presentation included information on how Qatalum is utilising education in ways unforeseen to advance the industry’s use of technology while also forging ahead with an environmental outlook. By partnering with Qatar University and the Qatar Science & Technology Park, Qatalum has reaped a number of benefits related to supporting future generations of national professionals, in addition to the industrial efficiency with a more widespread ethos towards sustainability.
“Qatalum and Qatar University have worked together for years by offering yearly seminars and conferences which are hosted by international expertise. These experts are then able to share their knowledge with students and company staff. A significant amount of the knowledge shared is related to sustainability and honouring the importance of environmentalism the world over,” said Laram.
We are pleased to attend ARABAL each year to not only share our achievements as an organisation but also offer our knowledge. These levels of industrial collaboration will continue to help facilitate a stronger aluminium industry across the Gulf.”
The Peninsula
