Abu Dhabi Ports Company (ADPC) and Morgan Advanced Materials, a leader in advanced materials, broke ground on its first dedicated facility in the Middle East at Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi (Kizad).

The facility, which is expected to commence operations in 2015, will initially focus on the production of high-temperature fibre products for use in sectors including oil and gas, aluminium, steel, energy, petrochemicals and fire protection, with expansion into other product areas planned for the future, said a statement from Morgan.

Through an initial 30-year Musataha agreement, Morgan has committed to an initial investment of Dh50 million ($13.6 million) in the 37,000-sq-m facility at Kizad.

Morgan Advanced Materials’ CEO Mark Robertshaw and other ADPC officials were joined by Philip Parham, British Ambassador to the UAE and customer representatives at the official ceremony.

Morgan has had a presence in the region since 2001, when it established a sales office in the UAE to service customers in the Middle East and North Africa region.
 
The decision to create a dedicated local facility follows significant growth in demand for its products, especially in the areas of thermal insulation, energy saving, acoustic barriers and fire protection, many of which are produced to very high tolerances and are designed for use in extreme environments.

Speaking on the launch, Robertshaw said: "Since we opened our first office in the Middle East 13 years ago, the Morgan Advanced Materials business has continued to go from strength to strength."

"This new production site will be integral to maintaining and strengthening Morgan’s position as the world technology leader in high-temperature insulating fibres, he stated.

Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, the ADPC chief executive and chairman of Kizad board said: "As a world leader in the production of advanced materials, we have found another key business partner in the development of Kizad with Morgan Advanced Materials."

"One of the big advantages of Kizad is its close proximity to Khalifa Port which provides an excellent shipping network for customers with direct links to 52 destination ports across the globe. In addition, Kizad offers an excellent transportation network through road, air, and soon rail which will further support Morgan Advanced Materials with their expanding business," he stated.

According to Robertshaw, the high-temperature insulating fibres were at the heart of operations in major industries worldwide, delivering exceptional performance and energy savings in the harshest operating conditions.

"Morgan’s significant investment and long-term commitment to the region also provides us with an exciting platform for future growth in other advanced material technologies," he added.-TradeArabia News Service