Bahrain-based Gulf Petrochemical Industries Company (GPIC) said it has registered a record output of 38,176 metric tonnes of methanol and 58,287 metric tonnes of urea during August owing to improvements in employee efficiency and production processes.

The GPIC's total production, which also includes ammonia, during last month was around 135,523 tonnes, the highest since it launched operations in 1985. The company also saw its total exports soar to 764,742 tonnes for the year so far, reported the Gulf Daily News, our sister publication.

The record performance was highlighted when company managing director Yousif Al Zamel and president Abdulrahman Jawahery called on the Prime Minister's Adviser for Industry and Oil Affairs, Shaikh Isa bin Ali Al Khalifa, who's also GPIC chairman.

Congratulating the board of directors, the executive management and the staff for the new record daily production figures, Shaikh Isa attributed the continued success to the wise leadership of the kingdom and the company's flexible strategic plans.

Earlier, Al Zamel toured the GPIC complex where he was briefed on the latest technical developments, production operations and future projects.

During the event, plant superintendents and a number of outstanding employees were honoured for their achievements.

Jawahery said these achievements were remarkable as August usually is a difficult month with the high temperatures affecting the water used for cooling the plants.

He thanked Al Zamel for his focus on providing the company's employees with training, development and equal opportunities.

The company last year announced an expansion project aimed at nearly tripling the existing capacity through the addition of a new ammonia plant, a granular urea facility and urea granulation unit, together with utilities and associated offsite facilities.

Upon completion, the annual capacity would rise to 1.5 million metric tonnes with the total project cost estimated at $1.5 billion.-TradeArabia News Service