The first container being loaded onto the ship on National Day. Eighth from the left is Qatalum's CEO Jan Arve Haugan, with Deputy CEO Hassan Al Rashid on his right. They are flanked on either side by members from Qatalum's Operations, Logistics and Marketing teams.
Success against the odds
Amidst difficult market conditions, the committed partnership between Hydro and Qatar Petroleum to bring on-line the largest green field smelter project, worldwide, stands as a testament to the skill and effort of all involved in the Qatalum project and operation. The CEO, Jan Arve Haugan, and the Deputy CEO Hassan Al Rashid encouraged the team to present Qatar with its first shipment of metal on the National Day. It is a symbolic gesture from Qatalum to the State and people of Qatar as it introduces a new era in Qatar's industrial diversification. The first shipment marks the historical beginning of aluminium exports from the State of Qatar and confirms Qatalum's ability to deliver its product on time, within budget and with an excellent safety record.
The first batch of remelted, 10kg ingots leaving the Casthouse for shipping Loading the Qatalum's first outbound container |
From Left to right: Knut Joran Sorensen ,Stein Morten Storro,Odd Inge Nuntun,Omar Al Ansari, Helge Walland and Lars Are Tjosvoll, standing next to the first loaded container of Qatalum's value added ingots made from remelt.
Qatalum adds value
Qatalum's Casthouse production will have value-added products like extrusion ingots and primary foundry alloys, made upon order and according to customer specifications. The total capacity of the Casthouse in this first stage is 625,000 tonnes. The first shipment is going to Mumbai, India. Main markets for the Qatalum products will be in the Gulf and the Middle East, Asia and later also North America. All the products will be brought to market through Hydro's marketing organization, with Qatalum handling the logistics and shipping.
A multitude of uses for Qatalum's metal
Extrusion ingots produced at Qatalum are manufactured to make aluminium profiles that are used in a number of products and applications, such as buildings and construction, consumer durables, automotive and general engineering. Foundry alloys are used in aluminium castings with a big market in the automotive industry.
On time and within budget
Qatalum is progressing according to plans. The production of primary aluminium in Qatalum is in the process of starting up. Construction work will continue as testing and training gives way to operations. New cells will come on-line throughout 2010, reaching full operational capacity of 585,000 tonnes when all 704 cells are in operation. A dedicated power plant with an installed capacity of 1350 MW will ensure a stable supply of electricity.
