Leading Saudi Arabia-based paints manufacturer Raghadan has launched a new line of silicon and anti-microbial coating systems in a bid to diversify its range to meet the demands of a buoyant construction sector and expand its market penetration.

The new products results from its continued efforts to research for new product lines that will enable it to enter new markets in the Middle East and hence increase its sales volume across the region. Towards this end, Raghadan is also expanding its factory facilities in the region.
“Our innovative new lines comprise a silicon coating system for building facades as well as an anti-microbial coating system for interiors,” says Dr Hisham Ali, sales and marketing director. “The silicon coating system is an ideal façade coating that keeps out liquid water without affecting the wall’s water vapour permeability; it is damp and dirt build-up resistant, and provides a reinforcement of silicon on the wall’s capillaries and pores. “
He continues: “Over the years, most building facades suffer damage from aggressive weather conditions and industrial emissions that cause the structure to deteriorate due to damp, dirt and soot accumulation and cracking. Our new product offering will help protect facades, preserve the building fabric and maintain its value while minimising façade maintenance cost. The silicon coating is highly suitable for buildings located in humid areas.”
The anti-microbial coating paint range is an optimum solution for application in hospitals, medical clinics, schools, public buildings and restaurants and other commercial premises that have high hygiene requirements or are frequented by people with respiratory disorders such as asthma. The silver ions in this paint have anti-microbial properties that help prevent the growth of micro-organisms such as bacteria, fungi, and algae, which affect the health of human beings and which are common in food outlets and medical facilities since even regular disinfection and sterilization cannot combat them effectively, he points out.
Raghadan was set up in 1974 and has been successfully operating in the regional paints business to claim the distinction of being the largest Arab paint company with a multinational workforce of more than 1,000 employees. The company has four major paint factories in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia) and Cairo (Egypt), operates six paint companies in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Jordan, Egypt and the UK, 15 branches, 20 agents and more than 500 distributors around the world. Its scope of activities covers the manufacture, import, export, supply and application of paints.
Besides the silicon and anti-microbial coating systems, Raghadan manufactures a wide range of paints that include emulsion and enamel paints, primers and textures, industrial paints, sealants, NC and epoxy paints, wood coatings and varnishes, and aesthetic decorative paints, such as pearl and velvet effects.
“Raghadan has been providing the region with the latest decorative paint styles and techniques in coordination with leading international paint companies such as Akzo Nobel of Europe, which is classified as Number One in the paint sector worldwide, Kansai Paint Company, which is Number One in Japan and among the top 10 internationally and San Marco of Italy, a highly innovative decorative paint company for special and marble effect paints in Europe,” he says.
Raghadan has been associated with some of the striking development in the region that include the Kingdom Centre, Al Faisaliah Centre, Al Jeraisy 10-palace project, Disneyland Hokair Riyadh, Intercontinental Ahsa Hotel, all in Saudi Arabia; Olympic Stadium and Village in Qatar; Salmaniya Medical Centre in Bahrain; Jumeirah Beach Residences, a 50-tower project and Emirates Towers, all in Dubai; Marriott Nile Hotel in Cairo, Egypt; and the Jordan Hospital, among others. It has also successfully achieved major projects in Saudi Arabia and the Gulf countries for a number of palaces for the royal family as well as villas for private clients, hospitals and hotels.