Visen begins production at HFZ

Visen Industries, the largest manufacturer of polymer emulsions for paints and coatings, textiles and adhesives in India, was expected to commence its commercial production from Hamriyah Free Zone (HFZ) last month.

“Visen Polymers at HFZ has a capacity of 120,000 tonnes per annum and is the single largest polymer emulsion plant in the region,” said Vijay Nair, managing director of Visen Polymers.

The $51-million (Dh187 million) plant has a total land area of about 78,000 sq m. This state-of-the-art plant has DCS (distributed control system) controlled systems with the latest manufacturing techniques, explained Nair.

TRA HQ wins green points

UAE’s Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) said its headquarters in Dubai has been awarded the Leed Gold green building certification by the US Green Building Council (USGBC).

Leed (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is a green building certification programme that recognises best-in-class building design strategies and construction practices.

The certification identifies TRA as a showcase of sustainable design and demonstrates the leadership in transforming the building industry, which is in line with its efforts to become more sustainable, said the UAE telecom watchdog.

The TRA headquarters produces 28.8 KWH per day of solar power, which is used to light the building façade at night besides an output of 12 cu m of recycled water per week for irrigation and other applications. This is the first new construction project in the DIFC since the property crash in 2008.

Abu Dhabi Airports signs new deal

Abu Dhabi Airports has signed a Dh458-million ($124.6 million) with Smiths Detection to equip its Dh10.8-billion ($2.93 billion) Midfield Terminal Building (MTB) with a range of systems to detect chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosives, and threats, according to a report.

The hold baggage systems will include the next generation of high-speed explosives detection system deploying a combination of  X-ray technologies to produce high-resolution images of baggage contents, said the Emirates News Agency (Wam) report.

Meanwhile, the airport expansion work is progressing well and is on track for opening in July 2017.

The MTB expansion project will be 65 per cent complete by the end of the year,Wam reported, citing a senior official of the Abu Dhabi Airport.

Almost 40 per cent of the steel structure has been completed and all the glazing will be finished by the end of May or early June, stated Ali Majed Al Mansouri, Abu Dhabi International Airport chairman.

Dubai Water Canal work on target

The work on the first phase of the Dubai Water Canal is progressing well with about 40 per cent of the project completed, said a senior official of the Dubai’s Road Transport Authority (RTA).

The scope of work include the construction of a bridge on the Sheikh Zayed Road comprising eight lanes in each direction, stated Mattar Al Tayer, RTA board chairman and executive director.

The work on the second phase – which involves the construction of bridges on Al Wasl and Jumeirah roads – is also going as per schedule with about 25 per cent completion, said the RTA.

The completion rate of Phase Three that includes constructing a three-km-long canal connecting the Business Bay Canal with the Arabian Gulf, had hit 15 per cent, it stated. The contractor of the first phase of the project has already started construction at the Northern Bridge on the Sheikh Zayed Road.

Meanwhile, RTA has started the construction of a 700-m-long bridge at Wafi Interchange. The bridge, comprising three lanes in each direction, stretches from Oud Metha Road (nearby Latifa Hospital) in the direction of the Sheikh Rashid Road, and heads towards the Sheikh Zayed Road and Al Saadah Road (elevated bridge leading to the Dubai World Trade Centre), said the RTA.

DWF to open Dubai office

Leading UK legal business DWF is opening an office in Dubai to support its clients across the construction, energy, insurance and transport sectors in the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region.

The Dubai office will be launched with a team of four including two partners who will advise on contentious and non-contentious construction matters, professional indemnity and non-marine insurance work.

The office will be set up initially on a space of 1,000 sq ft in the heart of the Dubai International Finance Centre (DIFC), one of the world’s leading commercial centres. DWF plans to build a range of complementary service lines over a three-year period which will see DWF supporting both new and existing clients.

Dubai plans affordable houses

Dubai Municipality is working on a plan to build affordable houses in selected areas of the UAE emirate, mainly targeted at those earning between Dh3,000 and Dh10,000 ($817 and $2,721) per month, said a report, citing a senior official.

The civic body has already allocated more than 100 hectares of land for the purpose. 

“In just three areas – Muhaisnah 4, Al Qouz 3 and 4 – we have allocated over 100 hectares for affordable housing and that will take up more than 50,000 people,” Abdulla Mohammed Rafia, the assistant director general for engineering and planning sector, Dubai Municipality told Emirates 24|7.

Bioair Solutions opens Dubai office

Bioair Solutions, a leading North American provider of biological technologies for removing odour and air emissions from wastewater treatment plants and sewerage pumping stations, has opened a new office in Dubai, as part of its expansion plans in the UAE.

The company said its new office will enable it to better serve the emirate which is facing challenges due to the extensive use of chemical scrubbers and carbon systems. The new facility will focus on working with the local public utilities, engineering firms, land developers and contractors to help educate them about the benefits of BioAir’s state-of-the-art EcoFilter biotrickling filter technology.

Etihad Rail DB to manage operations

Etihad Rail, the developer and operator of the UAE’s national railway network, has officially handed over control of its operation control centre (OCC) in the Mirfa region of Abu Dhabi to Etihad Rail DB.

With this move, Etihad Rail DB, a joint venture between Etihad Rail and the German DB Schenker, will manage the operation and maintenance of the first stage of the UAE’s national railway network on-site from the OCC located in the Western Region of Abu Dhabi. Construction of Stage One of the railway network, which will transport more than seven million tonnes of granulated sulphur annually for the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc), has been completed and trains are running in the Western Region on a trial basis.

Meanwhile, Etihad Rail has signed a partnership to enhance the distribution network of Bin Lahej Crushers, which is part of construction conglomerate Saleh Bin Lahej Group and a specialist in the production and sale of quarry products in the UAE. Under the agreement, Bin Lahej Crushers will use the UAE rail network during Stage Three to transport an annual volume of five million tonnes from its location in Tawyeen-Fujairah to Etihad Rail distribution and export terminals across the UAE.

Thales wins Dubai Metro contract

French-based Thales, a key player in the Middle Eastern transportation network, has signed a five-year service level agreement with Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and UK-based Serco to provide maintenance support services for Dubai Metro.

The world’s longest driverless metro network in operation, Dubai Metro is being operated by Serco Company. In line with its lifetime responsibility for safety, integration and interoperability, but also its willingness to reinforce long-term commitment to its customers in the region, Thales is strengthening its local skills and expertise based in Dubai.

As per the contract, Thales will deliver efficient, competitive and sustainable services while ensuring the highest levels of passenger safety and comfort.