| Total and the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) signed a memorandum of understanding for the development and construction of a melamine plant in Abu Dhabi by the jointly owned Ruwais Fertilizer Industries (Fertil).
Created in 1980, Fertil is a joint venture between ADNOC (66.66%) and Total (33.33%) set-up to run a nitrogen fertilizer plant and market ammonia and urea primarily in Asia.
The melamine plant is planned to enter into production by the end of 2006 with an annual capacity of 50,000 tons. Fertil will supply urea, the main feedstock. The global investment will be around 100 million euros.
The melamine production is expected to target supplying Atofina in Europe. Melamine is used primarily to manufacture resins for the wood based panel and flooring industries. Furniture, housing and construction sectors are the main users of these resins.
This project consolidates Total's presence in the United Arab Emirates and provides Atofina, the Group's chemical branch, a regular and long term supply of melamine in the Middle East. |
