Jotun Saudia's new state-of-the-art paint factory which opened in Yanbu in mid-November, brings the company's total capacity of paints and coatings to 110 million litres annually.

The factory, set up adjacent to the company's existing facility, boasts a high degree of automation and will exclusively produce water-borne paints. The fully air conditioned factory uses silos and tanks for handling bulk raw materials, limiting human effort and cutting production time.

Jotun Saudia Co is the local subsidiary of the Norwegian paint and coatings producer Jotun A/S.

Jotun has pioneered a number of trends in the market introducing concepts such as computerised tinting and special effect paints, and has been in the forefront in introducing new environment-friendly products.

'The closed production facility, water recycling systems and automatic fire detection equipments used in the factory will ensure the highest standards of operational safety and a healthy work environment,' a company statement said.

Present at the inauguration were founding partners Sheikh Marei Bin Mahfouz and Sheikh Ahmed Al-Amoudi and founding partner and shareholder of Jotun A/S Odd Gleditch Jr.

The dignitaries included Odd Gleditsch Dy, chairman of the board of Jotun A/S, and Morten Fon, the president and CEO, Jotun A/S.

'Jotun's expansion in Saudia Arabia reflects the continued industrial growth of the country and the many opportunities it provides for major international players such as Jotun,' said Sheikh Marei.