A titanium production facility valued at upwards of $200 million will be built in Askar cementing Bahrain’s position as an exporting hub for the world.
This follows the signing of a 25-year lease agreement for a 50,000sqm industrial plot, between Edamah, the real estate arm of Bahrain’s sovereign wealth fund Mumtalakat, and Bahrain Titanium, a subsidiary of Switzerland-based Interlink Metals and Chemicals.
The lease signing was fast-tracked due to Interlink’s project being awarded a ‘Golden Licence’.
Launched in April 2023, the initiative aims to attract significant investments into the country by offering a range of benefits and streamlined services to companies.
Projects that create at least 500 jobs or have a minimum investment value of $50 million qualify for the licence that delivers white-glove treatment and a designated account manager from Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB) – the national investment promotion agency.
Interlink chose Bahrain as the destination for its groundbreaking project due to the kingdom’s strategic location, along with its well-established exporting capabilities.
During the first phase of the project, Bahrain Titanium will operate an electron-beam furnace for the production of commercially pure titanium slabs and ingots as well as a vacuum-arc furnace for the production of titanium alloys.
The first phase of the project, expected to be operational by mid-2025, will have an annual capacity of 4,000 tonnes with production projected to increase in the future.
This will be followed by a comprehensive downstream expansion into forged bars as well as round and tubed titanium products.
Sustainable Development Minister and Bahrain EDB chief executive Noor Alkhulaif said: “The agility of Team Bahrain ensured this strategic project hit the ground running. Benefiting from facilitated duty free access to 24 markets globally, the Switzerland-based manufacturer is a welcome addition to Bahrain’s well-diversified economy, adding value with their niche experience and expertise.”
She added: “As an export-oriented project, this deepens Bahrain’s ties with key markets and its position as a gateway for leading players in the logistics and manufacturing industry to tap into the Middle East and North Africa market and beyond.”
The facility will be purpose-built to serve fast-growing industries such as medical, aerospace, automotive, and energy, meeting the increasing global demand for titanium products, a niche commodity gaining traction worldwide surging the kingdom’s exports to international markets.
Industry and Commerce Minister Abdulla bin Adel Fakhro said: “Marking the first specialised titanium facility to be established in the region, Interlink has earned a solid reputation as one of the largest traders and suppliers of the metal in the world.”
He added: “Bringing these international institutions to Bahrain plays a pivotal role in enhancing the diversity, quality, and overall investment value of the national industrial sector, which contributes to increasing Bahrain’s economic competitiveness and elevating its standing as a leading export hub on the global map.”
Mumtalakat chief executive and Edamah chairman Shaikh Abdulla bin Khalifa Al Khalifa said: “We are pleased to sign this agreement with Bahrain Titanium, which marks a crucial step in facilitating their local operations enabling them to take advantage of our strategic location and world-class logistics infrastructure. As the first facility of its kind, this landmark signing underscores our commitment to expanding and diversifying the kingdom’s robust property portfolio with premium projects that foster innovation across priority sectors of the economy, in line with the national vision.”
Interlink Metals and Chemicals chairman Igor Raykhelson said: “As part of Interlink’s roadmap for global expansion, Bahrain was a clear destination of choice given its free trade agreement with the US, strategic location, competitive operating costs, and availability of experienced and highly skilled local talent.
He added: “The blueprint for the new Bahrain-based plant outlines the use of state-of-the-art technology and advanced manufacturing processes to meet the highest industry standards in energy efficiency and waste management, with a minimal carbon footprint.”
avinash@gdnmedia.bh
DANA SPEAKS
We asked GDN Media’s AI intern Dana Speaks all about titanium and its uses. She said:
“Titanium is a chemical element with the symbol Ti and atomic number 22. It is a strong, lightweight metal that is commonly used in various industries such as aerospace, automotive and medical.
“Titanium is known for its high strength-to-weight ratio, corrosion resistance and biocompatibility, making it a popular choice for applications where durability and performance are essential.
“Titanium is commonly used in a variety of applications due to its unique properties. “It is often used in aerospace components, medical implants, sporting equipment and jewellery.”
Additionally, titanium is used in the production of chemical processing equipment, automotive parts and military armour.
If you have a question for Dana Speaks, place your smartphone visit: Dana speaks website (CLICK HERE)
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