National Company for Fibreglass (PNF), which also makes polyethylene items, has undergone a change in its production pattern in the past few years and has been enjoying a surge in business.

The company makes glass-reinforced plastic (GRP) pipes and fittings, fiberglass reinforced plastic (FRP) tanks and other FRP products, fiberglass portakabins and polyethylene tanks.
According to production manager V Manikandan, during the past two or three years, the production of smaller fiberglass tanks of volumes up to 10,000 litres, mainly used in residential apartments, has declined to 10 per cent of what was manufactured earlier while production of polyethylene tanks has risen 90 per cent.
Manikandan said the production of larger fibreglass tanks had remained the same. The factory, owned by Ibrahim Yousef Al Muhaideb, was established in 1979 for manufacturing fiberglass products and started making polyethylene tanks only in 2001. With its factory and head office in Dammam, the company has created an extensive network of branches and sales offices in Saudi Arabia
PNF  (the abbreviation referred to the original name of the company, National Company for Fibreglass and Plastics, and has not been changed) had 60 per cent of its turnover of SR 20 million coming from polyethylene items in 2003, said Manikandan. The turnover was up by 10 per cent over 2002 and Manikandan expects the polyethylene segment to drive sales volumes higher this year.
Polyethylene tanks production will see a jump this year as PNF installed at the beginning of this year its fourth roto- moulding machine and is due to add a fifth one in September.
Manikandan says the expansion was necessary, as the demand for polyethylene tanks had shot up by 15 per cent within a year.
“Polyethylene tanks are gaining in popularity because they have a smoother finish on all sides and are cheaper to make as the basic raw materials are easily available from Sabic, although to the customer they are only a little more expensive than the fibreglass product,” he said.
“Our polyethylene tanks are manufactured by the latest roto-moulding technology,” he explained. “They utilise high-quality low linear density polyethylene supplied by Sabic and are manufactured with food-grade materials to store potable water.
“The tanks are moulded with superior quality master batches and imported high heat-resistant foaming agents. Ultraviolet stabilised-grade materials are added to the tank and vertical and horizontal stiffeners are provided for rigidity and aesthetic appearance.
“The tanks are available in all standard sizes in horizontal as well as vertical shapes and are made in three layers and four layers (foam) as per customer requirements. The foam layer provides heat resistance to the water.”
When the fifth roto machine is installed, the company will be able to produce as many as 3,000 tanks per month. It has also introduced a fully automatic injection machine to produce PVC sockets, which will be installed in tanks.
“These sockets are manufactured in accordance with ASTM D-1784 and Saudi standards,” commented Manikandan.
”They have a life span of more than 20 years and do not corrode or change colour while steel fittings corrode easily.
“The sockets can be used in tanks made of FRP, plastic, steel, PVC and polypropylene as well as panel tanks for chemical processing and industrial systems. They are lightweight and have a high strength to weight ration and great resiliency. They are easy to instal and do not require a solvent or cleaner and can be dismantled and installed on any flat surface. They are insensitive to aggressive media and soils, are non-abrasive and do not need protective or insulation coating.
“They are the best solution for water and irrigation systems and chemical applications.”
Giving a detailed picture of other PNF products, Manikandan said the GRP pipes came in smaller diameters, about 25 mm to 500 mm, and larger diameters, 600 mm to 5,000 mm, while the GRP fittings had sizes to match the requirements of the pipes. The pipes and fittings are available in gravity and pressure, are corrosion-resistant with a composite of vinylester resin, which is good for chemical service, and an isophthalic resin grade for sewage applications. The pipes are joined by butt strap joints or flanged joints. 
The FRP tanks range from 10 cu m to 175 cu m in horizontal and vertical shapes.  Filament-wound tanks are made for aboveground, underground, water storage, septic and sewage applications and storage of diesel, petrol, kerosene and chemicals.
PNF also makes chlorinated PVC-, PVC- and polypropylene-lined filament-wound FRP chemical storage tanks.
Among other FRP products it makes are manholes; small water tanks; corrugated panels and roof curbs; planter boxes; cabins for fire hoses; car park vaults, roofs and shades and double-wall insulated portable cabins.
The company’s fibreglass portakabins are lightweight and insulated. They can be easily assembled and disassembled anywhere and require only a couple of hours to assemble and install, the company said.
The portakabins come with glazed glass in the front and windows in a choice of colours while curtain rails are optional. Optional features include electrical fixtures and concrete and tiles arrangements for base curtains.
The portakabins come in single and double cabins, double cabins with extensions, triple cabins and round cabins. The portakabin range includes car-parking sheds.
The maximum size for a single cabin is 4.68 m length x 4.50 m width x 2.67 m height.  A standard double cabin is available with a length of 9.46 m, width 4.50 m and height 2.67 m. Triple cabins have a length of 14.04 m, width of 9 m and height of 2.67 m.
The company has two fully computerised winding machines for use in the manufacture of pipes, fittings and tanks. Such parameters as diameter, winding length, winding angle and fibre speed can be programmed swiftly. Each machine has the capacity to produce 12 m of pipe length on each side.
Another high-speed fully computerised winding machine is also in service. “With this, five-metre diameter tanks can be manufactured in a short time and capacity can go up to 200 cu m in a single piece. The machine has been installed in collaboration with a French company,” said Manikandan.
The company has its own laboratory to conduct tests for raw materials and  end products as well as tensile, flexural, glass content, heat deflection and viscosity tests. Tests are also carried out for acid value, gel time, peak exotherm, thixotropic index, volatile content and sparks.
“National Factory for Fibreglass has a wide local market,” said Manikandan.  “Sales and distribution are channeled through the company’s branches that operate throughout Saudi Arabia. A part of the total production is exported and currently we send FRP products to Egypt, Kuwait, Yemen, Bahrain, Sudan, the UAE and other Gulf Co-operation Council states.
“The company has 25 showrooms in Saudi Arabia and we have carried out many projects for Saudi Aramco and the Royal Commission through contractors. Our major customers include Metito, Getco, Clorex, Sceco, Sharq, STCC, CCC and Chiyoda Petrostar.”