ADVANCED INDUSTRIAL COMPANY FOR CLAY PIPES

Advanced Industrial Company for Clay Pipes (AIC) of Saudi Arabia expects to launch commercial production later this year at its new vitrified clay pipes and fittings factory in the King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC) Industrial Valley in Rabigh, Saudi Arabia.

The new facility will have a capacity to produce 60,000 tonnes per year of pipes and fittings conforming to the highest local and international standards, including the Saudi Standards, Quality and Metrology Organisation’s SASO GSO EN295-1:2008 standards.

Being the only company of its kind in the Western Province, AIC believes it has a huge advantage in being able to meet the demand for sanitation products in the region. The Jeddah-headquartered company specialises in the manufacturing and production of clay pipes and its accessories, which are used in infrastructure and sewage projects. Through its technical partner, the company is currently supplying its products to contractors that are working on the infrastructure projects launched by the Ministry of Water and Electricity and National Water Company.

“During this year, the company has collaborated with its technical partner to supply its products to several contractors in the Western and Northern Provinces of the country,” says Ali Al Abeedi, the company’s executive manager. “Furthermore, AIC has continued to offer technical support to these contractors after the supply and supervised the installation of these products.”

Commenting on business, he says being the first and only company of its kind in the Western Province, AIC has seen increasing demand for its products.

The Saudi government has ramped up investments in wastewater and sewerage projects in major cities, as part of the kingdom’s plans to upgrade its infrastructure, says Al Abeedi.

“Given the high demand in the market and the need for our products, the company expects to achieve high growth over the coming years,” Al Abeedi adds. “The demand for sanitation products is increasing every year due to Saudi Arabia’s efforts to upgrade, renew and maintain sewage networks. Therefore, we expect the company to see a surge in activity in the coming years. We are also seeking opportunities to work on projects in the other GCC countries and expand our activities outside Saudi Arabia.”

AIC was established to produce clay pipes and fittings in addition to accessories. Its products include small pipes for house connections and town drainage; standard strength and extra strength (200-600 mm) for industrial and sewerage schemes; perforated (200-600 mm) for land drainage; and fittings and accessories.

“Vitrified clay pipes have been used for infrastructure and sewage projects since ancient times and have proved their quality and efficiency compared to other products,” says Al Abeedi, “The advantages of clay pipes are many, including high resistance to chemicals, rodents, acids, abrasion, corrosion, all types of soils and sewage gas emissions and thermal resistance during storage and usage.

“In addition, they require minimal maintenance; offer a long life; have low water absorption; and are made from locally sourced raw materials. Also, being made of natural raw materials (clay), they have no negative effect on the environment and are recyclable.”

Commenting on the choice of King Abdullah Economic City for the location of its factory, he says the new economic city is well connected with all of Saudi Arabia’s major cities by modern roads. The business-friendly city, whose infrastructure and regulatory environment have been designed for faster, smoother and sustainable business, is also positioned within easy access of a world-class port on the Red Sea, on the main Europe-Asia shipping trunk line, Al Abeedi adds.