UDC in technology discussions

19 March 2004
United Development Company (UDC)expects to have on board a new technology partner for its aluminium smelter project at Ras Laffan in four-six weeks. 'We are talking to the leading technology suppliers,' UDC managing director Khalil Sholy told MEED on 17 March. 'Some are looking to have an equity interest in the project as well, although this is not a criteria set down by us.' UDC has renewed contacts with technology suppliers after its original partner, Dubai Aluminium Company (Dubal), pulled out of the project in December (MEED 23:1:04).

Sholy said that the smelter would have capacity of more than 500,000 tonnes a year (t/y). 'Depending on the technology, the smelter could range in size from 516,000 t/y up to 620,000 t/y,' he said. 'We are now targeting first metal in the third or fourth quarter of 2007.'

UDC has already received bids for the posts of financial and legal advisers and expects to make appointments by the end of March (MEED 5:3:04). As soon as a technology agreement is concluded, it expects to invite shortlisted companies to bid for the front-end engineering and design (FEED) contract.

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