Technical superiority coupled with the ability to provide a complete range of piping systems is keeping the Sharjah-based National Plastic & Building Material Industries busy.

Established in 1975, National Plastic was one of the first companies in the region to start manufacturing uPVC and polyethylene-based piping systems.
The company, which was involved originally in plastics extrusion and injection moulding, continuously expanded its products range. The production facilities have been expanded to cover an area in excess of 18,000 sq m and capacity is more than 15,000 tonnes per year.
Today the company offers one of the widest ranges of piping products in the region, says David Bray, assistant managing director.
The range includes high quality plastic pipe systems, irrigation equipment, adhesives and specialty products. The company has also formed strategic alliances with several other leading manufacturers to complement its own range. “It is thus able to offer a complete range of products and services to its end-user customers around the world,” says Bray.
The company’s products are exported to more than 40 countries worldwide, 30 of them on a regular basis, says Bray. They include the UK, Germany, other European states, Kuwait, South Africa, Kenya, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Uganda, Tanzania, Angola, Australia and Mauritius.
National Plastic’s product range includes:
• uPVC pressure pipes and fittings for cold potable water;
• Drainage pipes and fittings;
• Conduit pipes for electrical systems and duct piping for telecommunication systems;
• High density polyethylene (HDPE) pipe;
• Full range of high quality linear low density poly tubing;
• Complete irrigation systems;
• High quality range of uPVC well casings and screens;
• Adhesives;
• Central AC vapour barrier coating; and
• CPVC hot water piping systems.
“Our products subscribe to a wide range of standards unlike some of our competitors. This is a big advantage for us,” Bray says. The standards include ASTM, BS, ISO, DIN, NF, BPO and Australian standards. National Plastic is an ISO 9001 certified company, apart from being a member of several leading professional organisations.
Some of National Plastic products also bear the highly respected Kitemark, issued by the British Standards Institution (BSI). The mark is a clear assurance that the company’s products are tested for quality, safety and meet the relevant standards, says Bray.
“This licence is issued only after the most rigorous assessment of manufacturing, quality management systems and product quality,” he says.
The company employs the most advanced technology and machinery and the highest quality raw materials for its production processes. “The plastic processing technology is changing enormously. We are keeping apace with the changes by investing heavily in state-of-the art machinery,” says Bray.
National Plastic recently launched piping systems for hot water applications under licence from Noveon of the USA. “This is a unique product and we are the only producers of this in the UAE,” he says.
A large share of the company’s market is Dubai and it’s currently increasing its focus on the rest of the Middle East. “We are always on the look out for new markets. But at the moment we are consolidating the existing markets and expanding in them. We are also struggling to keep up with demand,” he says.
Speaking on future plans, Bray says: “The company expanded last year and added new machines this year. The demand is up, growing at 20 per cent per year. The Dubai market is particularly strong and internationally also we have good demand.”
Some of the key projects where the company’s products have been used in Dubai are: the Dubai international Airport, International City project; Dubai Festival City, Dubal expansion, Palm Island, Arabian Ranches and Emirates Hills.
On challenges companies from the region face in international markets, Bray says: “It is one of proving our credibility and quality. Companies in the Middle East have to establish their credentials in these respects.
“The biggest challenge is to convince the Western markets that we can supply good quality products on a consistent basis. Getting acceptance and finding right partners in other markets is a major test.”