REPRESENTATIVES of leading manufacturers of mineral wool thermal and acoustical insulation in the Middle Eastern and near Asian countries met in Dubai, UAE, recently to attend the annual meeting of the Middle East Mineral Wool Insulation Manufacturers Association (Memima).
The specialised industry trade group announced the new board and discussed the status of the industry and outline goals for advancement at the meeting, held on November 23 at the Dubai Fairmont Hotel.
Stone wool and glass wool manufacturers deliberated on major industry issues, and agreed to set up and execute cooperative programmes that will advance both products and processes, particularly through research and development.
Members offered suggestions on ways to increase the public profile and awareness of insulation and emphasise its importance in energy conservation and environmental protection by providing a comfortable, noise pollution-free environment.
The conference agreed that, thanks to the qualities of these insulation materials, the industry will experience advancement and progress.
“Mineral wool insulation is the most efficient, flexible, economical, and environment-friendly insulation product available for construction and renovation today, the importance of which needs to be emphasised to customers,” says a spokesman for Memima. “It is increasingly being used in the world of green architecture and construction because it saves energy, combats excessive noise, reduces the risk of fire, and protects property and life in the event of fire. Fibreglass and rockwool insulation products are made from inorganic and mineral raw materials and exhibit excellent thermal and acoustic and fire prevention properties as well.”
Also highlighted at the conference was the importance of QSHE (quality, safety, health and environment).
“During an in-depth discussion, members set aside competitive differences and decided to take concrete steps towards ensuring that the international objectives of QSHE are met,” he says.
Leaders in these initiatives included Kuwait Insulating Material Manufacturing Company (Kimmco), Arabian Fiberglass Insulation Company (Afico), Saudi Rockwool Factory Company, Azel Rockwool Insulation (Saudi Arabia), Fujairah Rockwool Factory (UAE), and Rockwool Limited (India).
Representatives from Exceed glasswool plant of Abu Dhabi and Rockal of Egypt attended the conference as guests, with a view to becoming future members.
During the meeting, the new board of directors was also announced. Antoine Abou Mansour was re-elected as president and Fareed El Maimani and Hannes Visagie were appointed as vice presidents of Memima.
Abou Mansour is general manager of Afico, a joint venture between Zamil industrial and Owens Corning of the US. Yisagie is the general manager of Kimmco, a licensee of Saint Gobain lsover of France and El Maimani is the general manager of Saudi Azel Rockwool.
