JRD International, a leader in rigid plastic packaging technology, said its flagship company RMD Board has manufactured fire-retardant wall panels at its plant in Dubai.

RMD Board is Dh450 million ($122.4 million) manufacturing plant of composite polypropylene (PP) boards based in Jebel Ali. It rolls out over 300 types of environment-friendly decorative wall panels to help people design their interiors and some aspects of the exteriors.

The diversified products from RMD Board are water-proof, termite resistant, certified fire retardant, highly durable, light-weight and 100 per cent recyclable, said a statement from JRD International.

The use of PP in these engineered products replaces the use of wood thus reducing carbon foot print.

The wall panels have been tested at Thomas Bell-Wright (TBW) in accordance to ASTM Method E-84, which is a ‘reaction to fire’ test applicable to interior finish materials in GCC region and is as per UAE Fire & Life safety Code of Practice for Interior Wall & Ceiling Finish Materials, the statement said.

This takes the company closer to its goal of making the products meet highest standards of safety. RMD Board Division is engaged in the manufacturing of wall panel products that serves as an alternative to the conventional wall decorative materials, helps reducing deforestation and save the environment, it added.
 
Managing director Anupam Lunavat said, “JRD is delighted with this development, as we crown our efforts to manufacture innovative wall panels in UAE, backed by our own in-house research. We are confident that this achievement will boost our reputation as world-class producers of top quality wall panels, helping pave the way for wood-free panels that will ensure highest degrees of safety and durability.”

 “In today’s world, environmental conservation and safety are of prime importance. With these factors in mind we have been seeking to create awareness within the interior decoration and fit-out firms on the need to use more innovative and fire-retardant materials,” added Lunavat.

Wall paneling is largely used in commercial and hospitality construction and rarely used in residential and industrial construction.

“Our focus is to produce best-in-class materials that offers unparalleled blend of functionalities, aesthetics, sustainability and safety. Powered by our collaborative Research & Technology initiatives, we believe the best is yet to come.”

“These game changing wall panels are easy to install – a typical room of 50 sq m can be decorated in 2 hours and the site can be handed over faster. They are light in weight and can be pasted directly on the raw wall, thus saving on transportation, labor and installation costs.” explained Sagar Verma, the president of RMD Boards unit.

The wall paneling market in the GCC is expected to reach $5.57 billion this year from $4.94 billion in 2010, said Verma citing a report by research firm GRMC.

Of this the UAE accounts for more than $1.82 billion while Saudi Arabia - the biggest market in the region - represents about $2.01 billion, together accounting for more than 60 per cent of the GCC wall paneling market, he added.-TradeArabia News Service