By Ramesh Mathew/Staff Reporter

Speaking to this newspaper at the company’s pavilion at the Qatar Petroleum Environment Fair at the Doha Exhibitions Center, Qatalum CEO Tom Petter Johansen said the state of art plant in Mesaieed and its extensively superior applications and technologies in production have ensured that the local environment remains protected up to a large extent.

Aluminium, he said, has been in production in different parts of the world since the 1880s and more than 75% of the metal that was produced in the initial years is still in use at one place or the other.

The Qatalum CEO also informed that studies have found that while recycling aluminium between 90 % and 95% energy could be saved compared to producing aluminum directly from the bauxite. “Also recycling of one pound of aluminium could also help save about seven kilowatt hours of electricity,” he added.

While highlighting the growing importance of aluminum in the local industry, Johansen said with the concept of building green buildings or eco-friendly building gaining popularity in the country the market is bound to grow.

The CEO also said the selective catalyst reduction applications in use in the company’s Mesaieed plant has also succeeded in reducing emissions level considerably.

The company’s pavilion at the fair also displays prominently how it effectively uses the sea water to reduce emissions during smelting process. The pavilion also explains how Qatalum’s own power plant, which contributes as much as 15% to the national grid helps the company generate eco-friendly aluminium.