The UAE-based RAK Ceramics, which supplied its premium gres porcellanato and ceramic tiles for the DIC Phase 1-B project, is set to commission its eighth tile plant at Ras Al Khaimah next month (November).
The facility incorporates some of the world's best ceramic technologies enabling high-volume production processes.
The plant will have a production capacity of 30,000 sq m of ceramic tiles per day in sizes measuring 20 by 30, 25 by 25, 25 by 33, 25 by 40, 33 by 33 and 40 by 40 cm. Four Sacmi PH 2090 presses, 140.7-m-long kilns and dry milling technology are some of the features of this modern plant.
RAK Ceramics, which commissioned its seventh tile plant in January this year, is one of the leading manufacturers of ceramic, gres porcellanato wall and floor tiles and sanitary ware in the world. The company is well on its way to set up a new sophisticated gres porcellanato plant in China.
The proposed plant in China will have a production capacity of 15,000 sq m tiles per day in 40 by 40 cm, 60 by 60 cm, 60 by 120 cm and 100 by 100 cm sizes. Sophisticated technologies such as rollfeed, MDR and double charge will make this factory one of the most advanced gres porcellanato factories in the world. The two 156-m-long kilns, which are to be installed, are expected to be the longest in the world.
"RAK Ceramics has always been making headlines ever since its inception over a decade ago, either for innovative products or for the advanced technologies inducted on the production floors of the company's nine manufacturing facilities - all located at a single location, Ras Al Khaimah, spread over 1,000,000 sq m," says a spokeman for the company. "Its range of ceramic, Gres Porcelain wall and floor tiles and sanitary ware has a worldwide reputation for quality and offers an excellent 'value-for-money' package to the most discerning customer across the world. This accounts for the company's global presence in about 125 countries."
The company made history recently with the supply of its premium gres porcellanato tiles to the South Pole. The company made this break through its distributor for Reunion Island Ravate Distribution for a project being developed by TAAF (Terres Australes et Antarctiques Francaises) Organization. TAAF belongs to the French government and is responsible for the experimental French base, Dumont-d'Urville located in Adelie, a few kilometres from the Magnetic South Pole.
The materials were first transported from Reunion to Kergulen Island by boat and then by an ice-breaker boat to the nearest point of the Antarctica shores. From there, it was later airlifted by helicopter to the South Pole. The boxes had been painted red in order to be easily located from the helicopter.
"Launched in 1991 at Ras Al Khaimah with a humble production capacity of just 5,000 sq m of ceramic tiles, today the company ranks among world's top ceramic manufacturers. In a span of 11 years, the company has set up seven modern tile and two sanitary ware factories at Ras Al Khaimah that produce 112,000 sq m of ceramic and gres porcellanato wall and floor tiles and 5,000 pieces of sanitary ware per day.
"Today it is equipped with 20 kilns including five kilns for accessories and 25 presses - including the world's largest hydraulic press (a PH 7200) and three small presses - for the production of accessories and a host of other technology-driven machines. The company creates some of the most innovative designs the tile industry has ever witnessed.
"Versatile designs, enviable patterns and textures in different sizes and a myriad of colours, backed with superior quality have been the hallmark of this technology-driven company," the spokesman says.
The company's sanitary ware is said to be unique in design and creativity. Its two sanitary ware factories are equipped with state-of-the-art machinery and computerised robot spraying is used to enhance the beauty of its products.
Earlier this year, the company launched a new line for the production of shower trays and kitchen sinks and it now has plans to install a new Sacmi tunnel kiln to enable it increase production capacity to 2,400,000 pieces per annum.
He continues: "Its emergence as a global player in the industry in so short a time is indeed a performance par excellence that none in the industry can lay stake to. All this can be attributed to the leadership of Dr Khater Massaad, chief executive and general manager.''
RAK Ceramics has achieved a number of 'firsts' in the industry: it was the the first to introduce the biggest gres porcellanato tile in 125 by 185 by 2-cm size, and installed the world's biggest ceramic press PH 7200, according to the spokesman.
The company won the ISO 9001 certification in 1997 and has to its credit a host of other quality excellence awards from various internationally reputed agencies.
The company is reckoned as a trendsetter in the production of marble-like gres porcellanato tiles, which rival natural marble and other natural stones.
RAK Ceramics has to its credit a host of replicas of some of the famous natural stones and marble such as Belemniti, Jordan, Belgian and Coral stones, Calacatta, Carrara, Botticino, and Rosso Portugallo marbles.
