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Alubond USA, a global leader in aluminium composite cladding, plans to build the world’s largest single manufacturing location for A2 stone core panels in Hamriyah Free Zone at a cost of US$ 13.7 million (AED 50m). According to Alubond, which is a subsidiary of Sharjah-based Mulk Holdings, the new facility will have a production capacity of six million square metres of fire resistant panels annually by the first quarter of 2017.
Alubond’s fire resistant aluminum composite panels meet the stringent international fire testing standards of Euroclass A2 and the USA’s NFPA 285. According to the manufacturer, the A2 stone panels are compliant with the upcoming UAE Fire and Life Safety Codes of Practice 2016.
The A2 stone panel’s ability to withstand intense fire is due to the panel’s unique structure and chemical composition. The panels have a magnesium hydroxide core, sandwiched between two aluminium skins. When exposed to very high temperatures, the magnesium hydroxide core undergoes a chemical reaction changing to a fire-proof, rock-like substance.
Alubond USA has emerged as one of the world’s largest metal composite brands with production bases in Europe, Middle East, and India. The manufacturer has successful installations of its A2 panels in more than 90 countries and has an existing A2 stone panel manufacturing facility in Turkey with an annual production capacity of 2 million square meters of panels. The new Sharjah factory, which will consist of three lines of 2 million square meters capacity per annum each, will be Alubond’s first plant in the GCC region.
Located adjacent to Hamriyah deep water port near the centre of Sharjah city, Hamriyah Free Zone houses over 6,500 enterprises from 157 countries, attracting foreign investment from more than 500 industry verticals in the key sectors such as oil and gas, petrochemicals, maritime, steel, construction and food products. The Hamriyah Free Zone Authority is now able to process licensing formalities for new tenants in less than two-hours.
Source: Alubond
Corrected US$ & AED figures 21 August 2016
