Abahsain Fiberglass Middle East will be among the top 10producers of fiberglass in the world when an ambitious expansion plan propelsproduction capacity to 180,000 tonnes by 2012.

The $80 million Bahrain plant that began operations in Junewill hope to mark production milestones within a four-phase infrastructureprogramme. Presently, the plant is well on its way to hit a 60,000-tonne markwhen its existing 30,000-tonne furnace is joined by a second one of similarcapacity that will go into operation by mid-2010.

Verdegaal: demand for glassfiber for infrastructural projects is still high

The third and fourth phases will see the plant's capacityincrease by 120,000 tonnes. The third and fourth furnaces of 60,000 tonnescapacity each become operational by 2011 and 2012.

"The Bahrain unit will additionally have an expanded productline catering to various segments of fiberglass applications, which is variedand used in almost every section of all industries," said Karel Verdegaal,sales and marketing director.

Abahsain Fiberglass is part of the Saudi-based S & AAbahsain Group of Companies that also manufactures resin, complementing theproduct line of the Bahrain operations.

The new facility manufacturing ECR glass fiber has beencatering to many industries. Fiberglass is lightweight and almost as strong assteel, said Verdegaal.

Corrosion resistant
"ECR fiberglass is corrosion resistant, has many advantagesover conventional products and used in, for example, sewerage pipes which areexposed to acidic conditions," Verdegaal said. The ECR glass fiber that Abahsain Fiberglass produces in Bahrain combines the electrical and mechanicalproperties of E glass with superior corrosion resistance.

ECR glass fiber's unlimited applications can be found infields such as aerospace, appliances and equipment, construction, consumer,electronic and electrical, marine and transportation. Some of the otherproducts that can be made of ECR glass fiber are industrial machine housingsand bases, tools, safety hats, dental and other medical equipment and culturedmarble.

Equipment at the plant

Abahsain Fiberglass also makes downstream products such aschopped strand mats and woven fabrics.

Its major projects in the coming years will focus onsewerage pipelines and the alternative energy sector - windmill technology,according to Verdegaal. Glass fiber of the kind produced by the company is animportant component in the manufacture of windmills which are growing inpopularity across the globe.

An important element of Abahsain Fiberglass' commitment tothe market is the three training centres it has set up. The first involves trainingof Bahraini co-workers, the second is dedicated to customers to bring aboutawareness of new production techniques and the third is the applications centrethat throws light on the various uses of fiberglass.

According to Verdegaal, the recession has not affected thecompany. "We've been quite successful because of our high quality, proximity tothe customers and reliability, he said, adding:  "The demand for glassfiber for infrastructural projects in theGulf region is still high."

The company is located at the Bahrain InternationalInvestment Park, the latest of the kingdom’s industrial hubs.