Ras Al Khaimah Cement Company is committed to deliver a consistently high quality product to its customers, says a company spokesman.

Set up in 1995 as part of the UAE's economic and social development policies, the company says its state-of-the-art technology aims to provide the best service to cement users.

"Ras Al Khaimah Cement Company is proud of its commitment to create a world class manufacturing plant for the economy and the people of the UAE," says the spokesman.

"The plant takes advantage of the prime quality raw materials available in Ras Al Khaimah and has been designed and built using the latest technology. This ensures high and consistent quality cement.The management and staff are dedicated to providing our customers complete satisfaction. This objective is a priority with the ultimate goal being to build a long-term and mutually profitable partnership with all cement users."

The company, based in Khor Khwair in the emirate, has been instrumental in providing environmental care and protection to the surrounding community by applying the most stringent standards in dust and gas emission control within the plant. It was set up by an Amiri Decree in 1995 by Shaikh Saqr bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, UAE Supreme Council member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, under the chairmanship of Shaikh Khalid bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler.

RAK Cement plant is connected to a terminal at the Saqr Port which has the capacity to load ships up to 40,000 dwt in a minimum amount of time and is also equipped to load vessels at 500 tonnes per hour.

The plant is managed by Lafarge, one of the world leaders in building materials. It is capable of producing 1 million tonnes of cement per year, and is fully compliant with BS and ASTM standards. The plant is equipped with state-of-the-art production equipment, which assures efficient use of electricity and natural gas guaranteeing the highest degree of product quality, says the spokesman.

"The five-stage pre-heater pre-calciner kiln equipped with high-efficiency cyclones and variable airflow cooler assure perfect processing of the raw materials for cement production," says the spokesman. "Use of this hi-tech equipment is unique in the UAE. The centralised control room, from which the entire plant is operated, permits continuous surveillance of every aspect of the process. The fully automated control systems eliminate the chance of human error.

"Continuous automated sampling and more than 100 tests per day of the raw, semi-finished products ensures production of chemically consistent cement.

"Chemical testing is carried out using an X-ray spectrometer that permits meticulous control of the process, thereby guaranteeing only the highest quality of cement.

"Physical testing of the cement as it is manufactured and again as it is loaded on the customer's trucks guarantees delivery of only highest quality of cement."

The company also says it is dedicated to protection of the environment not only in the plant but in the surrounding communities as well.

It says the plant is designed to meet the most stringent European standards for environmental protection. Stack gases are continuously monitored for dust emission as well as carbon dioxide (CO2), sulphur oxider (Sox) and nitrogen oxide (Nox) gases.

"Ras Al Khaimah Cement's environmental policy mandates an immediate stoppage of the processing line when dust or gas emissions exceed the standards. All materials with the potential to emit fugitive dust are stored in covered buildings or silos and 44 dust collectors, placed at strategic locations throughout the production process, ensure a dust-free facility. The dust collected in these bags is returned to the process," says the spokesman.

The company's marketing department says it aims to set new standards for customer service in the UAE's cement industry.

"The RAK Cement's marketing department consists of a Customer Service Unit (CSU) and a field sales team. The CSU is in charge of attending to our client's needs while the field sales team works full time in the market to bridge the distance between the customers and the plant," says the spokesman. "This organisation is to ensure maximum customer satisfaction.

"The plant activities are designed to efficiently handle both bulk and bag cement. The main target of the dispatch unit is to prevent any loading delays. The truck loading and weighing is automated to prevent human error with the delivery notes generated automatically." The plant, which employs 150 people, makes RAK Cement the most efficient plant in the UAE.''