The facility is built on a 25,804 sqm site. (image source: AquaChemie)

AquaChemie, a prominent player in the regional chemicals industry, has unveiled its new state-of-the-art manufacturing facility, AquaChemie Global Chemicals (ACGC), at the Khalifa Economic Zone Abu Dhabi (KEZAD).

The facility is built on a 25,804 sqm site with an initial investment of US$25mn.

At the opening ceremony of the factory, V Anandkumar, the founder and managing director of AquaChemie, said, "We've been moving towards being local and how to bring in multinational product lines, specialty chemicals, and bring it to this country and produce it here, adding value to localisation...we started our journey in building this facility in 2022, and we already have close to around US$50mn to US$60mn worth of chemicals to be supplied to ADNOC and other companies here. We found global partners who are willing to come and partner with us and produce those products here."

"We are also looking for some more acquisition in the near future within UAE," he added.

By localising production, the facility will reduce the region’s dependence on imported specialty chemicals, which have historically been costly and time-consuming to procure. The company said it will support the UAE's ‘Make it in the Emirates’ initiative.

Circular economy

AquaChemie’s new plant is strategically positioned to meet the growing demand for oil and gas upstream chemicals, particularly for ADNOC and other major regional players. It will also cater to industries such as paints, coatings, and construction, providing high-quality, locally produced chemicals that reduce costs and lead times.

Speaking to Technical Review Middle East about incorporating renewables, Anandkumar said, "We're already planning to put solar panels on the top of this facility. We are also taking a step towards a green chemistry. Today, [the industry] is using very unconventional chemistries so we are also working towards how to substitute them without compromising on the performance. With the daily operations also, we are trying to reduce the carbon footprint as much as possible."

The facility will also aid in the construction industry. "A lot of cement additives go into buildings. There are a lot of chemicals added into those readymixes. Readymix has a lot of products, so we provide those products to the companies which are making those readymixes."

There are at least 12 emergency safety showers installed at the factory, according to Anandkumar. Shobitha Anand, executive director of AquaChemie Global Chemicals, said, "we want to be as compliant as possible
with the whole facility."

AquaChemie’s new manufacturing facility leverages significant advantages, including reduced utility costs, tax exemptions, duty benefits, and a seamless export network across the GCC. These cost savings are directly passed on to customers, enhancing operational efficiency and affordability.

The plant is equipped with advanced features, such as reactors for processing both liquid and solid chemicals, precision blending and mixing technologies, dedicated R&D infrastructure for product innovation and quality control, and a storage capacity of 7,200 metric tons, supported by four liquid storage tanks.

Also read: EGA can now produce ASI-certified metal

The company's global presence includes manufacturing facilities in Belgium. (Image source: Convergent)

We're not just a group that created the best lithium silicate hardeners in 2000, we're first and foremost a research team for the protection of concrete surfaces in general.

It’s the most preferred and specified brand by design builders, architects and owners and it continues to set the standard by which all others follow.

Over the past 25 years, we have continued to develop our lithium-based products to bring you a complete range from hardeners to solid & transparent colours, to finishing products as well as lithium-based detergents.

Finishing a concrete surface is a piece of patience and knowledge!

That’s why we have around the world 50 distributors, who are expert in concrete surfaces with more than 100 million sqm experience.

With our research department, we have developed other hardeners, other pigments, other finishing products, other waterproofing products based on different silicates such as sodium, potassium, fluorine, but also hardeners based on colloidal silica, repair mortars that you can colour, but also a range polyaspartic products.

Facility owners from various industries have relied on our unique chemical strengths to make their concrete and masonry cleaner, safer and more durable:

Aeronautic: Boeing, Airbus

Concrete Highway, Landing Strip, Haven)

Manufacturing: Inditex, Louis Vuitton

Car & Truck factories: Scania, Iveco, VAG, Mercedes

Nuclear Site: Spain

Shopping mole: Lotus Shopping

Grocery stores: Aldi, Metro, Gran Mercado, Carrefour, Atacadao

Water & Soda Production: Coke, Utah Juice

Warehousing: Amazon- E-Mag, Nestlé

Commercial: Ikea, Leroy Merlin, Castorama

Healthcare & Hospital, Universities: Brussel’s, Helsinki

Cold rooms & Freezers: Mc Cain

Perfumes production: Dior

Luxury Stores: Hermes

Pharmaceutical: Pfizer

Museum: Guggenheim

This article was written by Convergent Group SA, which is an international chemicals company based in Belgium, specialising in the manufacture of chemical treatments for concrete surfaces. 

The company's global presence includes manufacturing facilities in Belgium and distribution networks serving Europe, Africa, Australia/New Zealand, India, and the Middle East.

EGA is certified to the Performance Standards of the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative. (Image source: Canva Pro)

Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) has received the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative’s (ASI) Chain of Custody Standard for its facilities in the UAE.

From the mine to the customer, this certification establishes standards for the monitoring and accounting of metal and raw materials that are produced sustainably. It is a supplement to the Performance Standard of the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative, which certifies facilities based on their sustainability performance.

Some of the raw materials used in EGA's plants in the UAE come from upstream suppliers that have earned ASI Performance Standard and Chain of Custody certification. As a result, EGA can now produce a certain amount of ASI Chain of Custody certified aluminium, giving consumers access to this type of aluminium.

Except for the recently purchased Spectro Alloys, every mining, refining, and smelting facility site owned by EGA is certified to the Performance Standards of the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative.

Global non-profit group called the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative consults with the public, civil society, end users including BMW Group and Nespresso, and aluminium producers to identify what constitutes strong sustainability performance in the aluminium industry. The international standard for sustainability in the aluminium sector is set by the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative.

DNV Business Assurance Services UK Ltd. conducted the independent, third-party audit of EGA's processes that was necessary for ASI Chain of Custody Certification.

Abdulnasser Bin Kalban, CEO of EGA, said, "Aluminium is essential for the development of a more sustainable society. It also matters how sustainably aluminium is made, and this includes sourcing of responsibly-produced raw materials. Achieving certification to the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative’s Chain of Custody Standard is step forward in our aspiration to become a global sustainability leader for the aluminium industry. I am proud the EGA is now able to produce ASI-certified metal.”

The two organisations signed an MoU, which focuses on advancing "dual-carbon" goals. (Image source: SMS Group)

A delegation from the SMS group, led by CEO Jochen Burg, met with Tan Chengxu, chairman and party secretary of Ansteel group, to strengthen their partnership.

The two organisations signed an MoU, which focuses on advancing "dual-carbon" goals—carbon peaking and carbon neutrality—through collaboration on innovative green steel technologies, products, and projects.

Chengxu expressed appreciation for SMS group’s long-standing partnership and emphasised Ansteel’s commitment to ecological operations, low-carbon development, and efficient production. He highlighted the importance of decarbonisation as the cornerstone of sustainable growth and noted SMS group’s reputation for cutting-edge technologies and expertise in handling complex projects. Tan stated that Ansteel is keen to collaborate with SMS group to drive innovation in green steel technologies, reduce pollution, and promote carbon neutrality in the global steel industry.

Burg thanked Ansteel for its continued support and acknowledged the company’s leadership in the global steel sector, underpinned by its rich history and cultural heritage. He described the MoU as a milestone in SMS group’s efforts to foster green and sustainable development in steel manufacturing. Burg expressed optimism about deepening collaboration with Ansteel, aiming to develop innovative green steel solutions and set new benchmarks for sustainability in the global steel industry.