A MAJOR expansion is under way at Mattex, where group companies are expanding their production capacities for both woven and non-woven geosynthetics in Saudi Arabia.

The move is part of the group’s strategy to establish itself as a one-stop shop for woven and non-woven geotextiles in the region.

The Mattex Group, whose presence in the region dates back to 1996, comprises Mattex Fabrics, Green Vision and the latest member of the group, Mattex Geosynthetics. It has a huge capacity for the production of high-quality products at its facilities in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, and supplies to the international market.

Mattex Geosynthetics, which specialises in woven and non-woven geotextiles, will launch its needling plant in July at its facility in Jubail. This plant will produce a full range of non-woven needle-punched and thermally-bonded polypropylene geotextiles in widths of up to 600 cm.

The factory in Jubail employs around 400 people including production, quality control, administration and research and development staff.

Geosynthetics being used in construction of roads.

“With this new facility, Mattex will now serve the market with non-wovens, thereby offering a complete and elaborate range of geosynthetics to meet all possible demands in this field,” says Philippe Grimmelprez, business unit director of Mattex Geosynthetics.

In the second stage of Mattex’s organic growth in the kingdom, Mattex Fabrics will commence production at its weaving plant in Jubail by the end of this year. The company already has two other weaving facilities operational in the region – one in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and the other in Dubai, UAE. Mattex Fabrics has been active in the production of woven technical textiles since its inception in 1996.

Geosynthetics can be used in practically all types of construction, he says. “The incorporation of geosynthetics will increase the overall quality and life span of the construction, will lead to huge cost savings on heavy materials such as back-fill and rocks and can reduce the construction period, hence saving additional money and time,” Grimmelprez points out. “Given these facts, it is sad to see that even today some constructions are still being planned without the use of geosynthetics. It is our job to inform the market about the existence and the many benefits that geosynthetics offer.”

The characteristics of the geosynthetic material can be adjusted to fit the specific requirements of the construction site.

Apart from standard materials held in stock, which can be used in many applications in the construction field, Mattex Geosynthetics can also offer custom-made geosynthetics developed by a designated team of professionals, he says.

“Close cooperation with the contractor and its engineers is what makes Mattex Geosynthetics the preferred partner of choice,” Grimmelprez adds.

Mattex Geosynthetics is vertically integrated and extrudes its own polypropylene high-tenacity fibres and woven slit tapes, which are used for the production of woven and the non-woven geosynthetics. “This facilitates engineering, research and development of the best products at the best price,” he points out. “Moreover, our location in Jubail industrial area allows close cooperation with the world’s best producers of raw materials that are used for extrusion. All suppliers are located within a few miles of the production unit.”

Construction of a lake at Lago Vista in Dubai ... Mattex project.

Though the company was recently set up, Mattex Geosynthetics is pursuing a number of large-scale projects, especially in Saudi Arabia and the UAE, according to Grimmelprez.

The company is positive about future market prospects, especially with the fast growing construction sector of Saudi Arabia as well as of many other regions. “The future looks bright,” says Grimmelprez.

While there has been a great deal of concern about the global financial crisis, companies can achieve growth and prosperity by focusing on the right markets and with the right approach, he says.

As a group, Mattex and its companies have emerged stronger than before the global economic downturn, “thanks to its proactive approach, good stock control, diversified product range and markets served, and superb knowledge of the market”, Grimmelprez says.

During the downturn, Mattex streamlined its operations and business strategy to respond to market’s needs. “Close co-operation with and good relations with its customers has allowed the Mattex Group to continue to do business and even grow,” he adds.

Other factors that have ensured its success in the market are the high priority it accords to its human resources and to sustainability and the environment.

“Mattex sets a high value on its people and workers, employing people who have experience and are well trained in their sphere of activities. The company also enables its people to grow through training,” he says.

One of Mattex's products.

The Mattex Group embarked on boosting its capacity and the number of production sites to match the growing demand in the region. By the end of this year, Mattex will have three weaving plants under the Mattex Fabrics banner (Jeddah, Dubai, and the new facility in Jubail); the needling plant managed by Mattex Geosynthetics in Jubail; and the tufting plant managed by Green Vision in Jeddah. Each plant is vertically integrated with own extrusion unit.

As part of future plans, Mattex Geosynthetics will initiate further growth in its sphere of operations, develop state-of-the-art products and increase its output and overall efficiency, while maintaining efficient customer service.

Commenting on the Saudi Arabian market, Grimmelprez says: “At the moment there is no bigger and more rapidly growing construction market than Saudi Arabia. The projects are all of immense scale, which require the expertise of the world’s best contractors, advisers and suppliers.”

“Since the projects, especially in Saudi Arabia, are huge, the watchword is co-operation. All construction players should work together in order to be able to have these projects finished in time in an efficient and optimal way,” he adds.