The International Copper Association (ICA), the apex global body promoting the use of copper, recently held its annual forum for the time in Dubai aiming to strengthen its presence in GCC countries as well as in the Mena region.

ICA’s Asia Copper Forum sought to provide a platform for stronger collaboration between various stakeholders in the copper value chain including global producers, fabricators, wire and cable manufacturers, equipment manufacturers, end users, policy makers and other stakeholders in Asia.

“The GCC, with its ambitious growth plans in energy, building construction and infrastructure, is an important market for copper,” said Francis J Kane, president, ICA.

“The annual Asia Copper Forum has provided representatives of the global copper industry and the local downstream industry in the GCC a unique opportunity to identify areas for co-operation in the sustainable use of copper in the region,” he explained.

Kane added: “ICA initiated its activities in the GCC in 2008 with the signing of a memorandum of understanding with Emirates Authority for Standards and Metrology (ESMA) to provide technical assistance for the development and implementation of energy efficiency labels & standards.”

“The adoption of higher energy efficiency standards and the display of energy labels on all energy consuming appliances will help to reduce carbon foot-prints in the UAE. The program was formally launched on April 14, this year, initially covering room air-conditioners.”

“ICA has also been active in the broader MENA region,” Kane continued.

“In 2008-09, it leveraged its global experience to assist the energy efficiency and greenhouse gas reduction project in Egypt with the development of minimum energy performance standards for distribution transformers and industrial motors.

“Looking ahead, ICA plans to build on its experiences so far to expand its promotional efforts for the sustainable use of copper across the GCC in the energy, building construction, appliances and public health sectors, in alliance with policy makers, building construction professionals, appliance and equipment manufacturers, end-users and other stakeholders,” said Kane.

ICA has several strategic initiatives aimed at promoting the use of copper, the greenest commonly used architectural metal today.

ICA’s building construction initiative will be of strategic importance to the GCC region, which is investing heavily in infrastructure projects.

The sustainable electrical energy initiative by ICA aims to maximize copper’s contribution to saving energy and the environment, while the original equipment manufacturing (OEM) initiative aims to optimise the proper application of copper in household appliances.

The technology initiative utilises a global copper R&D network to develop and articulate a copper technology roadmap, and the ICA health and environment programme develops and uses sound science to foster product stewardship and sustainable development through the entire life cycle, assuring worldwide market access for copper products. – TradeArabia News Service