Qatalum showcases innovations in Qatari aluminium sector at ARABAL 2014

Qatalum participated in the 18th edition of the Arab International Aluminium Conference and Exhibition (ARABAL), the most important trade event for the aluminium industry in the Middle East – held this year at the Gulf Hotel, in Manama, Bahrain, from 25-27 November, and hosted by Aluminium Bahrain (ALBA).

As in previous years, Qatalum sent a high-level delegation to ARABAL, headed by CEO Mr. Tom Peter Johansen, Deputy CEO Mr. Khalid Mohammed Laram, in addition to a number of managers, various heads of departments, and specialists. Leveraging the networking opportunities available through hosting of a stand at the Exhibition and dissemination of materials, Qatalum management represented the company at several events, including CEO Johansen speaking on an expert panel of GCC smelter CEOs, and Qatalum’s Chief Power Officer presenting Qatalum’s latest environmental and sustainability innovations at a renewable energy panel.

Additionally, Qatalum took part in the ARABAL exhibition, held on the conference side-lines, in a forum will allows a rare opportunity to meet with investors, manufacturers, supply chain and logistics experts, and representatives of various regional international industries. The company also sponsored and hosted a pan-sector lunch on the first day of the conference.

Johansen, said in his presentation, “At Qatalum we have always invested time and resources into ARABAL since the company’s foundation. It is a unique opportunity to exchange ideas, get up to speed on international best practices, reveal to the sector our innovations in cost efficiency, certifications, environmental sustainability and support for downstream industries.’

‘We have a long term gas contract with Qatar Petroleum which secures competitive energy costs. We have a long term alumina contract with Hydro, securing high quality and competitive cost alumina, as well as a sales and marketing agreement to optimize customer service and synergies, and technology service agreements. These partnerships are driving further operational excellence.”

Johansen also outlined Qatalum’s leadership development, including seconders from partners, development programs and Qatalum’s sponsorship of the Qatalum/Hydro Chair at the Centre for Advanced Materials within Qatar University.

DCEO Khalid Laram reinforced, “At Qatalum we are creating a culture of continuous improvement that has led to a significant increase in efficiency and a lowering of our cash costs, to the point that we are now rated fourth globally in cash cost efficiency by CRU, a foremost market intelligence research organization.’

‘We attribute this to investment in the Qatalum Improvement Program (QIP) and the Qatalum Production System (QPS), which have together driven efficiency across the organization, based on achievable short and medium term targets. We look forward to presenting these developments to our friends and partners across the industry at this ARABAL event.”

Two years ago, Qatalum hosted the 16th edition of ARABAL in Doha, registering record figures in the history of the conference since its inception in 1983, with the number of participants, speakers and exhibitors exceeding 600 participants from more than 140 countries, and more than 50 speakers from more than 45 countries, joining new stakeholders in the industry.