Interlink Metals and Chemicals, a leading supplier of titanium products based in Switzerland, has secured the Golden Licence from Bahrain Economic Development Board (Bahrain EDB) for setting up its production facility in the kingdom.

 

Established in 1992, Interlink Metals & Chemicals has developed into one of the world’s largest distributors, traders and users of various titanium products.

 

A first-of-its kind facility in the region from Interlink Metals and Chemicals, the Bahrain Titanium (BTI), will operate an electron-beam (EB) and a vacuum-arc (VAR) furnace, for the production of commercially pure titanium and titanium alloys, with a capacity of 4,000 tonne/per year of titanium ingot and slab. 

 

Interlink's new subsidiary BTI will also build a ferro-titanium (FeTi) facility to utilise scrap that does not meet specifications for ingot production. The EB, VAR and FeTi facility will be fully operational by mid-2025. 

 

The Golden Licence was awarded to Igor Raykhelson, Chairman of Interlink Metals & Chemicals, at a special ceremony held in Manama where three other investors -  Ali Fardan, the General Manager of National Bank of Kuwait in Bahrain; Shaikh Abdulla bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, the Chairman of Beyon and Khalid Najibi, the Chairman of Bahrain Marina Development - were granted their licences.

 

Swiss titanium giant said in the long run it was looking to expand into tubed, forged and rolled products, as well as specialised products for critical applications.

 

The new BTI plant will supply both Middle East and western markets, said a company spokesman.

 

"We have already received a letter of intent from the AMIC-Toho Titanium joint venture sponge plant in neighbouring Saudi Arabia for supply of titanium sponge as feedstock," he stated.

 

In Europe and the US, titanium manufacturers in industrial and aerospace industries are facing a supply shortfall after Russia pulled back from western markets. 

 

Bahrain's free trade agreement with the US means US imports from Bahrain will not be subject to the 15% duty that otherwise applies to normal trade relation countries, he added.-TradeArabia News Service