Gulf Stabilizers Industries (GSI), the joint venture between Al-Zamil Group of Companies and Great Lakes Chemical Corporation of the United States, has approved the first phase of the physical form 'No Dust Blend' (NDB) expansion that will bring the plant capacity up to 6000 tonnes per year and will be operational by November 2002.

The approval came at a meeting of GSI's board of directors earlier this year.

"They praised the successful commissioning of the chemical plant at the end of January, its outstanding safety record and start-up of the trial operation of the plant," a GSI press release said.

The meeting was attended by Abdul Aziz Al Zamil chief of the executive committee of the AlZamil Group, Mark Bulriss, president, chairman and CEO of Great Lakes Chemical Corporation, Dr. Abdulrahman Al Zamil, chairman of the board of Al-Zamil Group Saudi Arabia.

"Gulf Stabilizers Industries is the first manufacturer of polymer additives in the Middle East" Ali A. Al Ghamdi, the company president, said.

He added, "The Middle East has emerged as one of the fastest growing markets for polyolefins production, and we are establishing the leading position. Being located next door to our customers gives GSI the advantage of overnight delivery of quality product to the polymer industry".

Production of the Anox NDB line of antioxidants at GSI, in Al Jubail, started in April 2001.

The range of products, manufactured by the company meets the same demanding specifications and use the same methods as those products produced by Great Lakes in five other manufacturing sites. Raw materials are supplied by Great Lakes' approved suppliers.

No Dust Blend technology enables multiple polymer additives to be incorporated in non-dusting physical forms, thereby removing the need for customers to import individual raw materials, which could subsequently reduce administrative burden and logistics costs.

Gulf Stabilizers Industries was formed in December 1999 in response to the growing demand in the Middle East for local raw material production and local support for the rapid expansion in polyolefin and other plastic manufacturing industries in the region.

Great Lakes Chemical Corporation is the world's leading producer of various specialty chemicals for such applications as flame retardants, polymer stabilizers, fire extinguishants and water treatment as well as a growing line of performance and fine chemicals for the life sciences industry. The stock of the company is traded on the New York Stock Exchange.