ABU DHABI: KIZAD, one of the fastest growing industrial zones in the Middle East and part of Abu Dhabi Ports, yesterday launched KIZAD Polymers Park, which will form an integral part of the polymers conversion ecosystem in the Emirate.
The Park aims to be a major economic driver for the UAE, producing 300-400 kilo tonnes of plastic products a year, creating up to 7,000 new jobs and contributing USD 2.5 billion to GDP by 2025. The potential export market for the Park is estimated at USD 500 million annually, and it will ensure Abu Dhabi is a hub for developing the latest innovations in sustainability and technology in the industry, including new and advanced and polymer technologies, such as composites and 3D printing.
The strategic collaboration framework between Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) and KIZAD Polymers Park aims to accelerate investment and innovation in the region’s plastics industry. The collaboration aims to offer companies swift and cost-effective access to polymers as well as the option to invest in the Ruwais Conversion Park – an initiative that will take shape over the next few years. Having the state-of-the-art Khalifa Port on its doorstep also provides KIZAD Polymers Park access to polymers distribution, logistics, storage and trading across the globe, as well as ensuring raw material supply from other polymers producers in the region and globally. Meanwhile, the Ruwais Conversion Park will provide opportunities for downstream conversion of materials that may be economically challenged to transport over longer distances for further conversion. The investor will have the ultimate flexibility to establish a diverse set of long-term competitive facilities between these two sites.
These initiatives further support and build on Abu Dhabi’s ambition to become a global hub for polymers conversion. The joint efforts by both entities also aim to create a sustainable and competitive industrial landscape in Abu Dhabi.
KIZAD Polymers Park will cater to a variety of different polymers segments, including industrial use, such as packaging, construction, and semi-finished products; end-use customers, such as household goods, agriculture and hygiene products; material science, including compounded and composite materials, and 3D Printing. Crucial to supporting the circular economy are polymer recycling companies. The Park will host a vibrant polymers ecosystem, including diversified polymers space and raw materials, production systems and technical support, polymers distribution and trading, and logistics.
KIZAD’s world-class infrastructure includes a diverse range of plot sizes, excellent utility networks and ready-to-move-in light industrial units and warehousing, while the close proximity of Khalifa Port offers incredible connectivity to markets around the world via major shipping lines. Various initiatives are underway to enhance the interconnectivity between KIZAD and Ruwais that enable seamless integration between the two sites.
Meanwhile, foreign firms can take advantage of 100% foreign ownership via the free zone with the benefit of full repatriation of profits or benefit from the park’s flexibility and choose a mainland-based license instead.
They can also benefit from direct access to raw materials from UAE producers, such as Borouge and ADNOC, as well as access to other major producers in the region and a comprehensive portfolio of specialised raw materials that could be imported if not available domestically. ADNOC is making progress on its Downstream strategy that will see it triple its current petrochemical capacity over the next five years by introducing a whole suite of diverse products that enable many new value chains in the UAE.
Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, CEO of Abu Dhabi Ports, said: “Through this strategic collaboration framework with ADNOC, KIZAD is helping Abu Dhabi become a major global hub for polymers conversion, supporting industrial diversification across the UAE in support of Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030.”
“Polymer markets are growing fast owing to high demand for these products. We at Abu Dhabi Ports are working through KIZAD to address the needs of companies operating in the polymer sector via world-class logistics services, warehouses, and integrated infrastructure as well as sustainability initiatives to put an end to plastic waste”, added Al Shamisi
Samir Chaturvedi, KIZAD CEO, said: “Abu Dhabi is the ideal location for polymers converters looking to reach both regional and international markets. Tenants at KIZAD Polymers Park will benefit from access to raw materials from regional producers and connectivity to global polymers product demand through KIZAD’s major transport links, which include Abu Dhabi Ports’ flagship deep-water port, Khalifa Port and international airports.
“The Park will source energy supplies from a variety of sources at some of the region’s lowest utility rates and support initiatives to commercialise the recycling of plastic waste. We look forward to collaborating with ADNOC to create a hub where polymers convertors can produce their products faster, cost effectively, and sustainably.”
Abdulaziz Alhajri, Director, ADNOC Downstream Directorate, said: “ADNOC is proud to collaborate with Abu Dhabi Ports and KIZAD to further strengthen and develop the UAE’s conversion industry. Together, we will work to ensure alignment with the Ruwais Derivative & Conversion Parks and other industrial parks catering to different parts of the polymers value chain, offering investors a wide choice of options, while also building on synergies. We welcome the competitive commercial environment this will create. This partnership is another example of ADNOC’s determination to support the diversification of Abu Dhabi’s industrial base as we implement our downstream strategy and associated corporate transformation programs.”
Currently, twenty polymers firms are based at KIZAD including Gulf Compound Blending, Cosmoplast, Interplast, Industrium, Songwon Polysys and Schmidt Middle East. These companies are already leveraging KIZAD’s interconnected business facilities including turnkey offices, serviced industrial land plots, modular light industrial units, and warehouses. Tenants also benefit from smart technology platforms such as Maqta Gateway, Abu Dhabi Ports’ online community business platform.
The global plastics and polymers market was worth USD 611.9 billion last year, according to international consultants The Business Research Company, with growing degree of recycling among the trends in the industry. This trend will be reflected by KIZAD Polymers Park stakeholders, who support the vision of a circular economy and the development of long-term solutions in which plastics never become waste, promoting sustainability as a business objective rather than simply a corporate responsibility.
KIZAD Polymers Park was launched at ArabPlast 2019, the largest trade expo for plastics, petrochemicals and rubber industry in the MENA region, which runs until 8 January 2019 at Dubai World Trade Centre. News Desk
