Prospects of GCC aluminium highlighted at Annual Aluminium Symposium, Qatar 2015

Qatalum in cooperation with Hydro organized the annual Aluminium Symposium in Doha, Qatar on 14 December at the Intercontinental Hotel. Titled “Aluminium, The Engine for Growth in the Region”, the day-long event was co-sponsored by Hydro, Qatar University, CAM (Centre for Advanced Materials) and hosted a number of key members of the industry, education sector, and several postgraduate students.

Amongst those representing Qatalum were Mufeed Odeh and Olaf Wigstoel, who delivered speeches addressing the importance of the aluminium industry in the Middle East during a period of stagnation in the energy sector. Dr. Odeh, Sustainability Advisor at Qatalum delivered the keynote message to the symposium. In his message, Dr. Odeh emphasised the importance of education to attract new staff, further education of Qatalum’s existing staff, and the essential need for research and development in aluminium technologies.

The keynote message was clear about the need for continuing the close relationships we have with Qatar University and other educational and research institutions in the country. Student internships and hands on experience for young engineers and operators, especially Qatari nationals, is becoming a culture at Qatalum.

Qatalum’s COO Olaf Wigstoel said, “Participating in the annual Aluminium Symposium gives us great pride as it gathers individuals from around the world to not only discuss the next step for the industry but furthermore strengthen collaborative bonds already formed. I’m thrilled by the sponsorship of Hydro, Qatalum, and CAM, each entity making clear how essential their respective relationships are. Educational research is likewise important and Qatalum is incredibly grateful for the continued support of Qatar University.”

Running parallel to the industrial prowess of the aluminium industry, the importance of educational research is helping to bolster Qatalum’s plans for the future. The vital support of Qatar University has demonstrated how closely aligned academic institutions and Qatalum have become in driving forward both a stronger research community and engaging a future Qatari workforce.

Two sessions followed the inauguration speeches and touched on aluminium downstream industries, manufacturing safety and quality, recycling and research and development in aluminium. Company executives from Qatalum, Hydro, SAPA and Taha International Corporation presented in the sessions, specific to dross handling, future applications of aluminium, building systems, casthouses and more.

Central to these sessions was academic research, as educational due diligence continues to drive the application of science and technology within the aluminium industry. Qatar University professors and postgraduate students presented their related work on various topics dealing with aluminium technological advances. This of course further states how aligned industrial pursuits central to aluminium have become with academia based on the increasingly essential nature that research is playing within the sector.