Al Watania to make gypsum boards
01 September 2009
AL WATANIA Gypsum Company, one of the largest producers of gypsum powder in Saudi Arabia, has ambitious plans to become a key player in the production of gypsum boards.
Towards this end, the company is set to commence production of gypsum boards this month at its new facility located in Yanbu and is already building a second factory in Al Kharj, near Riyadh, which is scheduled to be operational in the first quarter of next year.
The Yanbu factory will roll out 8 million sq m of gypsum board annually, while the Al Kharj facility is expected to produce 10 million sq m per year.
The company began operations in April this year producing gypsum powder at its two facilities in Al Kharj and in Yanbu and has met with rapid success. However, its ultimate goal is the production of gypsum boards, says a company spokesman.
The company intends to produce four kinds of gypsum boards:
• Regular gypsum boards (GKB), which are used in general building applications such as suspended ceilings, partition walls and internal beams for exterior areas;
• Fire-resistant gypsum boards (GKF), which comprise metallic fibres and additional materials that enable the gypsum boards to resist fire;
• Moisture-resistant gypsum boards (GKI), used in areas subject to high humidity. These boards feature a liner containing a fungicide and the gypsum itself has been formulated to prevent the absorption of water;
• Fire and moisture-resistant gypsum boards (GKI-I) for areas that require high protection from both fire and moisture.
Al Watania will manufacture these gypsum boards using high-quality raw materials and highly specialised production technology. All boards will be produced as per German specifications DIN 18180, and American specifications ASTM C-36.
The boards will be offered in lengths ranging from 1,800 mm and 4,500 mm with the width being 1,200 mm. However, boards in non-standard widths including 600, 900, 1,219 and 1,250 mm can also be produced.
The boards, in a choice of edges, come in standard thicknesses of 9.5, 12.5 and 15 mm, although thickness between 6.5 mm and 25 mm can also be offered.
Al Watania’s state-of-the-art gypsum powder facility has been designed to produce 600 tonnes per day of high-quality gypsum of various types – French, ceramic, anti-humidity, medical and Alfa gypsum It claims to be the only company in Saudi Arabia that produces gypsum powder with French specialisation using state-of-the-art technology.
“Despite the presence of six companies producing gypsum powder, Al Watania Gypsum Company is the only company that has been successful in producing French gypsum as per the NF-EN 13279-1 and NF-EN 13279-2 specifications,” says the spokesman.
French gypsum is characterised by its high purity (not less than 98 per cent) and hence its unique colour. It also offers high durability while being highly resistant to humidity, which extends its area of application.
Also equipped with a 1 million sq m quarry, Al Watania is said to be the first of its kind in the Middle East to produce various kinds of gypsum including standard gypsum, as well as adhesive gypsum and special gypsum.
