Al Sharq Polystyrene Factory, one of the largest manufacturing facilities in the Middle East for polystyrene insulation products, will make its debut at the Big 5 show this year with its range of thermal insulation systems.

“Through this show, which is one of the premier construction events in the Middle East, we intend to enter new markets as well as promote our range of products to the international markets,” says sales and marketing manager Abdul Jabbar Chittalickal.
Having successfully cornered 40 per cent of the Saudi Arabian market for expanded polystyrene (EPS) products, the 100 per cent Saudi-owned company is looking forward to replicate its success in the regional markets as well through opening new offices in the Gulf, says Mohammed Y Al-Dossary, general manager.
“We are planning to improve our presence in the GCC over the next year and are currently focusing on making a difference in the UAE market,” he says.
The company currently caters to the UAE market through its office in Sharjah.
As part of its programme to enhance its production capabilities, the company has recently completed a plant modernisation programme that has seen the replacement of all old machinery with new ones.
Speaking on the advantages of EPS systems Chittalickal says: “EPS is the way forward to ensure that buildings are properly insulated and thereby reduce energy consumption especially in the hot Gulf summers.
“A unique moulded, closed cell/cellular plastic made from petrochemicals derived from crude oil, EPS offers several advantages especially in thermal insulation applications. It is lightweight, strong and resilient, non-corrosive and a dimensionally-stable material. The material is also environmentally-friendly, non-toxic and inert and does not damage the ozone layer, since it does not use CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons) or HCFCs (hydrocholorofluorocarbons) in its manufacturing process. In addition, EPS is shock-proof and will not lose its shape or insulating value through ageing.
EPS is moulded into blocks and is available in a range of densities and thicknesses. Also, EPS foam used as thermal insulation saves costs and energy as it cuts down on heating and air-conditioning requirements and thus reduces harmful air emissions by conserving energy resources, he continues.
Manufactured under the brand Stayromax, Al Sharq’s range of products is being widely used in Saudi Arabia and elsewhere in the region. The range includes roof and wall panels that thermally insulate buildings, blocks inserts, a range of decorative shapes for masonry works, hordi blocks for building construction, industrial packing and pipe insulation, among others.
Emphasising the need to insulate building, Chittalickal says: “With increasing power shortages and rising energy costs emphasising the need to conserve energy, there is an increased demand for thermal insulation in the building construction sector. An effective way of saving energy is to improve the thermal insulation of buildings, which is particularly important in hot climates where air-conditioning accounts for a high proportion of the power consumption. In addition to the energy-saving benefits, a well-insulated building will have higher property value due to increased comfort levels and durability.”
Al Sharq’s EPS offers excellent insulating qualities and therefore plays a major role in consistently conserving energy in buildings throughout their lifespan, says Chittalickal.
Established in 1995, Al Sharq Polystyrene Factory has a 104,000 sq m manufacturing facility situated along Dammam’s Abu Haidariya Road. The company’s manufacturing facility — manned by a 250-strong team, which includes executives — has a production capacity of 105 tonnes of polystyrene products per day and generates a turnover of SR25 million ($6.67 million) per annum, says Chittalickal.
It has a well-equipped in-house quality control department with modern measuring and analytical instruments and experienced staff. All the required raw material and finished products are sampled and analysed in the laboratory to ensure that they meet international specified quality standards.
A continuous chemical and physical analysis is also conducted during the production process to ensure compliance to specifications, with a certificate of analysis issued to accompany customer orders and outgoing shipments.
The facility produces insulating sheets with various densities ranges from 16 kg/cu m to 35 kg/cu m, which can be cut into different sizes and thickness according to specific orders.
“We can also mould industrial packing for various products like air-conditioning units, refrigerators, electrical, household, electronic equipment and glass to protect against damage during handling and transporting of the products,” adds Chittalickal.
An ISO 9001:2000-certified company, with a quality approval from Dubai Municipality, the company also owns a huge fleet of vehicles to deliver its products to cities in Saudi Arabia and other GCC countries.
Commenting on the business prospects, he says: “This year has been good especially when compared to what we had achieved last year. We have been working with Obaidulla Contractors in the UAE and are also close to clinching a major project in Qatar.”
“We expect the construction sectors in Saudi Arabia and the UAE to continue growing, which should see an increased demand for more construction and packing materials in these two major markets,” he concludes.
Al Sharq Polystyrene Factory will be exhibit at Stand C30 in Hall 4.