Foam Factory Bahrain Foam Factory, a supplier to the local furniture and packaging industries, registered a moderate 10 per cent increase in production to 200 tonnes in 2000, compared with the previous year. The company makes polyurethane foam products of both moderate and high densities, the higher ones for products such as orthopaedic mattresses. Manager Anthony Thomas said his company products, while mostly being used as furnishing material, also had applications in filtration and packing. Bahrain Foam Factory was established in 1984 by Jasim Abdulrahman Al Zayani and Mohammed Jasim Al Zayani. "We are a major supplier for the Bahrain market and our name is considered synonymous with good quality foam by users of foam products," said Thomas. "As we're keen on maintaining our reputation, we procure raw materials from industry giants in Europe and the US, despite the temptation of lower prices in other markets." The factory's installed capacity is 500 tonnes per year. Thomas said an important decision taken by his company was to set up a division called Bahrain Polystyrene Factory. Established three years ago, Bahrain Polystyrene caters to the requirements of thermal insulation in industrial and residential buildings. The company has been supplying to the construction, air-conditioning/refrigeration and packaging sectors.

The polystyrene plant, built with an installed capacity of 250 tonnes, has German technology and CNC cutting facilities. "The establishment filled the gap in polystyrene in Bahrain while supporting the efforts of the Ministry of Power and Water in the matter of electricity conservation," said Thomas.

In addition to expanded sheets for insulating buildings, the factory also manufactures insulation bricks. "The range is varied with uses in shuttering, ceiling tiles, stage decorations and packing. The factory is utilising less than 50 per cent of its capacity, but we are in the process of development, including finding new markets," said Thomas.