GYPSEMNA, which has grown rapidly since its inception in 2009 to become one of the foremost manufacturers of drywall systems, intends to significantly increase its presence in Qatar, thanks to the wide acceptance of its products in high-profile projects.

General manager Ammar Al Ani says that over the past few years Qatar’s architectural and construction sector has been leaning towards modern designs that demand effective solutions. Thus, the need for substituting traditional forms of construction materials with more cost-effective and quality-driven products has become the focus of many current and future projects in this market, he says.

“Consultants and contractors prefer to get drywall solutions from a single source and this give us a competitive advantage in Qatar as we provide solutions that are tailor-made to the modern needs of architecture,” says Al Ani.

Gypsemna’s involvement in Qatar has grown at an exponential rate with the UAE manufacturer of gypsum plasterboard and drywall systems providing its products to iconic projects such as the Sidra Medical and Research Centre (where it supplied the Rondo curved ceiling system), North Gate Mall (partitions and Rondo curved ceiling systems), Al Wajba Palace (acoustic ceiling), and Lekhwiya Sports Stadium (acoustic ceiling and partitions), to name a few.

Gypsemna, in corporation with Rondo Middle East, supplied a specially designed curved ceiling for the car-park at the Sidra Medical and Research Centre.

“A unique feature of this project was that the required curvature of the ceiling metal profiles was achieved on site using special curving machines instead of the traditional and time-consuming way of snipping metal profiles on site, in order to meet the desired curvature,” says Al Ani.“This also eliminated the need to order standard factory-curved metal profiles, which may ultimately end up not being suitable to the site conditions. In line with its commitment to provide superior solutions to all sorts of drywall system requirements, unique value-engineering and design support was offered by Gypsemna’s engineering staff for the project.”

“Furthermore, our after-sales service involving frequent on-site inspection by our team of competent engineers has proven to be successful in ensuring customer satisfaction. Similar products and solutions are being offered to the North Gate Mall as well,” he adds.

Gypsemna recently launched its glass mat board, becoming the region’s only manufacturer of this special product which is used as a sheathing board for external applications such as an underlayment for various external cladding materials or EIFS (external insulation and finishing systems).

The product offers high weather resistance due to its moisture-resistant core and water-repellent glass mat liner on both faces and along the edges. Additionally, it has superior fire-resistance properties, which is approximately 50 per cent more than conventional firewall boards, he claims.

Citing an example of a recent project to use these products, Al Ani says that Siemens headquarters building in Masdar City, Abu Dhabi, chose Gypsemna’s glass mat board as an underlayment for EIFS. The building has achieved the Estidama Pearl 3 rating and Leed (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Platinum rating.

He continues: “Due to its superior fire-resistant properties and suitability for the external environment, this product was also used to provide a fire-resistant separating wall for A380 aircraft hangars in Dubai airport.

“In addition to water and fire resistance, Gypsemna’s glass mat board is totally mould- and mildew-resistant, having achieved a maximum score of 10 when tested as per ASTM D-3273-94. Hence it is suitable for hospital projects where bacterial growth is of great concern, and has been used for prestigious projects including the Cleveland Clinic and Mafraq Hospital in Abu Dhabi.”

This product can also be used for internal applications in wet areas and tile backing applications and to replace cement and calcium silicate boards.

Gypsemna has successfully met the requirements of its customers in more than 15 countries across the GCC, Middle East, Africa and South Asia region, says Al Ani.

The Abu Dhabi-based manufacturer has a partnership with Rondo for the manufacture of metal profiles in its plant, as well as the supply of finishing profiles and access panels, which have gained popularity in the Qatari market.