Gulf Construction Online - UCC leads way in green investment

Dubai Review

UCC leads way in green investment

01 April 2009

RAS Al Khaimah-based Union Cement Com-pany (UCC), which is considered to be the UAE’s largest cement manufacturer, says it will invest Dh34 million ($9.26 million) this year on environmental projects at its facility.

These include covering of its clinker and raw material yards and a new filter for kiln 3. Says a spokesperson for the company: “We are implementing the requirements of ISO 14001 certification and we take it as a social responsibility for the employees and population around our plant. Besides, the local government is also keenly seeking strict conformance to the environmental requirements.”
UCC, the first cement company to be set up in the UAE in mid-70s, has adopted a policy of constant growth and upgrade. This policy has recently seen the commissioning of its milestone Plant 4 – a 10,000 tonne-per-day clinker production kiln – which has boosted the company’s clinker production capacity to 4.5 million tonnes per year (tpy). In 2007, UCC brought on stream its cement mills 5 and 6, increasing the company’s grinding capacity to 4.8 million tpy while making it the biggest cement manufacturer in the UAE, according to the spokesman.
UCC is engaged in the manufacture, marketing and distribution of Portland cement, moderate and high-sulphate resisting cement (low alkali), as well as oil-well cement – being the only UAE producer of this type of cement. With its own bulk tanker fleet, UCC says it can meet all types of cement requirements of the construction industry in the country.
To market and sell the American Petroleum Institute (API)-certified oil well cement manufactured locally at its Ras Al Khaimah plant, UCC joined hands with Norcem of Heidelberg Cement Group, to establish the Union Cement Norcem Company (UCN) in 1980. UCN has been serving the oil industry for over 28 years with its “Norwell” brand oil well cement.
Its strategy for growth in the market also saw UCC becoming the first cement manufacturer in the Middle East to obtain ISO 9000 certification in 1994, having already acquired API Spec Q1 certification in 1980. In 2000, it added ISO 14001 certification, in line with its dedication to the environment.
Commenting on the company’s commitment to quality, the spokesman says: “UCC’s reputation as a ‘Symbol of Quality’ is maintained throughout by meeting customer requirements and expectations.”
The group operates mainly in its domestic market. However, in addition to the local market, UCC – because of its proximity to the Saqr Port – is in a logistically advantageous position to serve the markets in the Gulf, Middle East and East Africa.
Commenting on the current market conditions, he says: “It is evident that there is a slowdown in general, particularly in Dubai. This has undoubtedly affected our business as well. On the other hand, Abu Dhabi is still doing well.”
“However, we are hopeful of seeing a revival in the Dubai market when there is a recovery in the global credit crunch conditions,” he adds.