Qatalum attends 19th ARABAL in Saudi Arabia

​At ARABAL, Qatalum highlighted the contribution of education and people as a prospect for furthering the aluminium industry in the region. The opportunity was also taken to network with industrial peers and facilitate an exchange of knowledge and information.

Aluminium industry leader Qatalum attended The Arab International Aluminium Conference and Exhibition (ARABAL) 2015 as a platinum sponsor of the event and with a host of innovations to share with those in attendance. Hosted in Dammam, Saudi Arabia for the 19th year, ARABAL is the premium trade event for the Middle East’s aluminium industry and the only conference in the world attended by all primary aluminium manufacturers from the region.

As the significant contributor to the aluminium industry in the State of Qatar and a contributor to the Middle East and the international market, Qatalum sent a delegation to ARABAL 2015. A welcoming address was made by Mohammad Al-Naki, Chairman of ARABAL who praised Saudi Arabia’s initiative to host the conference and highlighted the country’s increasing drive to diversify from the hydrocarbon industry, highlighting that of its aluminium initiatives.

Amongst Qatalum’s representatives was CEO Khalid Laram, who offered ARABAL’s attendees a presentation which preceded the panel discussion, involving all smelter CEO’s, on ‘Contribution to Education and CSR’ under a theme of ‘Prospects for the GCC aluminium sector’, during the first day of the event.

Deon Earle, HSE Manager for Qatalum moderated during a separate session on 16th of November on ‘EHS best practices in the Gulf’.

During his presentation, Qatalum’s CEO shared a number of key milestones recently reached by Qatalum. The company recently achieved the globally recognized environmental ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001 certification while aluminium production in 2014 reached 6% above the plant’s design capacity.

With Qatalum’s ISO/TS 16949 certification for foundry alloy products, it produces premium quality value added products with 60% production being sold to meet the growing and precision orientated automotive sector.

“The aluminium industry is growing year on year and the increasing number of milestones Qatalum is able to present at ARABAL each year is a clear sign of the smelters successful evolution. Our premium aluminium with its ‘made in Qatar’ brand of quality contributes to the aluminium business not only in the Gulf but across the world. The Qatalum delegation is proud to attend every ARABAL,” said Khalid Laram.

Additionally, imperative aspects of Laram’s presentation included information on how Qatalum is utilising education in ways unforeseen to advance the industry’s use of technology while also forging ahead with an environmental outlook. By partnering with Qatar University and the Qatar Science & Technology Park, Qatalum has reaped a number of benefits related to supporting future generations of national professionals, in addition to the industrial efficiency with a more widespread ethos towards sustainability.

“Qatalum and Qatar University have worked together for years by offering yearly seminars and conferences which are hosted by international expertise. These experts are then able share their knowledge with students and company staff. A significant amount of the knowledge shared is related to sustainability and honouring the importance of environmentalism the world over.”

We are pleased to attend ARABAL each year to not only share our achievements as an organisation but also offer our knowledge. These levels of industrial collaboration will continue to help facilitate a stronger aluminium industry across the Gulf.” Laram concluded.