Oman Aluminium Rolling Company has awarded Italian engineers FATA EPC a US $300 million contract to develop a new rolling plant in Oman.
Construction is expected to require a workforce of 1200 workers, with a further 275 direct jobs created when the plant opens in Sohar, north of Muscat. FATA say the project will also create a number of operational support jobs.
The rolling mill will serve the aluminium food container and food preservation foil markets, also providing material for the automotive heat exchanger and air conditioning markets. Sales are expected to reach international markets also.
“The mill is uniquely positioned for the growing regional demand and sales are expected to reach international markets as well,” said Anthony Trepeano, CEO, FATA EPC.
“The plant will create added value products, diversify the economy, create employment both in construction and subsequent to construction phase and in addition to this plant theoretically you could put other plants further downstream so you take your aluminium grate and you transform it into flood products,” Trepeano added.
Trepeano is also hoping the project will bring an increase in downstream products.
“Where you have a smelter to create added value products it’s worthwhile to take that metal and create downstream products because it’s good for the economy, it’s good for diversification,” he said.
“There is already a downstream industry here so it’s a matter of either expanding or diversifying that industry but the whole GCC area for us is of strategic importance,” Trepeano added.
The plant will have an annual capacity of 160,000 tons and will contain a Hazelett continuous caster.
Engineering works began in January 2011 and ground-breaking is expected in July, with the first production coils targeted for August 2013.
FATA EPC is a division of FATA SpA, a Finmeccanica company specialising in turnkey power plants and aluminium smelters. FATA Hunter, another division of FATA SpA will supply a hot rolling mill along with a cold rolling and finishing equipment.