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The 165.6MW Benban solar plant in Egypt, which uses Astronergy solar module products. (Image source: Astronergy)

Energy

Astrongergy, an intelligent manufacturing enterprise focusing on photovoltaic cells and modules, is preparing to ship 1GW of n-type TOPCon solar modules to Algeria as part of the country’s 1GW solar plant construction plan

The company announced the order after winning the tenders from China International Water & Electric Corp. and the Power Construction Corporation of China. It will be part of the 2GW power plant construction plan proposed by Algeria’s state-owned power utility, Sonelgaz. This will include the delivering of 15 solar plants across the country’s 12 provinces, each with a capacity ranging from 80-220MW, most of which will be built by Chinese companies.

Astronergy won six of these major projects: Abadla (80MW), Batemete (220MW), Gueltet Sidi Saad (200MW), Douar El Maa (200MW), Ouled Djellal (80MW), and Biskra (220MW). Construction on the latter, Biskra, has already begun, making use of Astrongergy’s N5 TOPCon solar modules.

The MENA region is increasingly facing severe challenges in the water sector. Issues such as water scarcity and high energy costs are creating a growing demand for sustainable and cost-effective treatment solutions for water reuse. Brentwood, with its proven expertise in drinking water and wastewater treatment technologies, sedimentation technology, sludge collection and removal systems, and biofilm processes, is at the forefront of addressing these challenges.

Brentwood are excited to invite you for its final session in or three-part webinar series on water technology, specifically focused on the MENA region. This session aims to provide technical insights into sustainable, efficient, and cost-effective water management solutions tailored for the unique challenges of the region.

Brentwood's featured speaker, Dr. Noama Shareef, will share her extensive knowledge and present various technical solutions for addressing water and wastewater treatment challenges in the MENA region. Dr. Shareef's expertise in the field ensures that attendees will gain valuable insights into the latest advancements and practical applications in water treatment technologies. Following her presentation, there will be an interactive Q&A session, allowing participants to engage directly with Dr. Shareef and get their specific questions answered. The entire webinar will be conducted in Arabic, making it accessible to many attendees in the region.

We encourage you to register now to secure your spot for this informative session. The webinar will focus on the application of lamella settlers as a solution for improving sedimentation processes in water and wastewater treatment plants.

These advanced technologies are essential for enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of sedimentation processes, which are critical components of water and wastewater treatment systems.
Mark your calendar for Wednesday, 23 October 2024, from 5:00 to 6:00 PM GMT+1. This is an excellent opportunity to stay informed about the latest developments in water technology and to learn from a leading expert in the field.

Additionally, if you missed the previous sessions in our webinar series, you can watch them on-demand at your convenience. We have made the recordings available to ensure that you have access to all the valuable content and insights shared during the series.

Register now for the final session of our MENA water technology webinar series: https://hubs.ly/Q02HsRdD0. Don’t miss this chance to enhance your knowledge and stay ahead in the ever-evolving field of water treatment technology.

Watch past webinars on-demand here: https://hubs.ly/Q02HsRm-0.

Akinwumi Adesina attending the event in Riyadh. (Image source: AfDB)

Construction

Speaking at the Saudi Fund for Development’s 50th anniversary celebration, Akinwumi Adesina, president of the African Development Bank Group (AfDB), has praised Saudi Arabia for its support, dedication and friendliness to Africa

The president said the fund translated the pulse of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia into development support in Africa. “Its work covers 407 projects in 41 countries in sub-Saharan Africa, with support of over US$5.3bn,” he noted.

As outlined by AfDB, projects the country has financed range from irrigation to produce food, dams for energy, hospitals for mothers and their babies, electricity to light up schools and enhance learning, airports and roads to link countries, counties and communities. These efforts have been part of an attempt to develop a deeper friendship and engagement between Saudi Arabia and Africa.

Adesina remarked that the Saudi Fund for Development stands out in the development financing landscape due to its “unlimited territorial scope” and its focus on “countries need”.

“That means: Open heart. Open hands. Open purse. Its success is rooted in its values, reflected by its acronym, SDF, which I call: Supportive. Dedicated. Friendly. That’s why countries appreciate the SDF,” he continued. “The African Development Bank is your friend and strategic partner in Africa… I wish the Saudi Fund for Development another 50 exciting years ahead, as we partner together to support Africa with renewed dedication to accelerate Africa’s development.

Amal AlMizyen, Chief Executive Operation Officer and Conor Hegarty, General Manager

Mining

MDS, a global leader in manufacturing heavy-duty rock trommels and conveyors, has announced the appointment of Abdul Latif Jameel Machinery as its inaugural distributor in the Middle East.

With immediate effect, Abdul Latif Jameel Machinery will oversee the sales, service, and support of the MDS range of materials processing equipment throughout Saudi Arabia.

Headquartered in Jeddah, Abdul Latif Jameel Machinery is a well-established supplier of heavy machinery, commercial vehicles, material handling solutions, and crushing and screening equipment.

Their broad portfolio includes the sale and maintenance of internationally recognised brands, such as Komatsu construction and mining machinery. Already representing Powerscreen and Terex MPS, this new partnership with MDS marks the third Terex brand to join their extensive product lineup.

The appointment of Abdul Latif Jameel as distributor for Saudi Arabia is part of the ongoing global expansion of MDS, reinforcing its commitment to delivering innovative and reliable products to customers worldwide while providing localised support and knowledge. 
 
Amal AlMizyen, chief executive operation officer, Abdul Latif Jameel Machinery, said, “We are very excited to bring MDS into our product portfolio and firmly believe that their products will provide better solutions to our customers. With the introduction of MDS, we will be able to produce larger aggregates for Armour Rocks, Gabion Stones and Gabbro. The timing is ideal as Saudi Arabia is currently handling massive construction mega projects and MDS units will be able to produce these larger aggregates at much higher rates compared to the current conventional methods.”
 
Raheel Qamar, business development manager, MDS commented, "We are very excited to welcome Abdul Latif Jameel to the MDS network. Entering the Middle East market is a major moment for us, and we believe that Abdul Latif Jameel will help us reach and serve customers in Saudi Arabia. Their dedication to excellence, high customer focus and deep local knowledge of our industry makes them an invaluable addition to our global network. I look forward to working closely with the team to build and develop MDS across the Kingdom."

The rebranding was officially presented at a high-profile event in Abu Dhabi, attended by prominent officials, over 400 clients, partners, and employees. (Image source: EMSTEEL)

Manufacturing

Emirates Steel Arkan, the UAE’s largest listed company in the steel and building materials sector, has unveiled a new identity as EMSTEEL, reflecting its ambitions for accelerated transformation and enhanced global reach.

The rebranding was officially presented at a high-profile event in Abu Dhabi, attended by prominent officials, over 400 clients, partners, and employees.

This new identity marks the successful integration of Emirates Steel and Arkan Building Materials, a merger finalised in late 2021. The union has created the UAE’s foremost steel and construction materials company, with an estimated value of US$3.5bn (AED 13 billion). The merger positions EMSTEEL for significant expansion both locally and internationally.

Green steel production

Operating under the EMSTEEL banner, the company is divided into two key sectors: Emirates Steel and Emirates Cement. Emirates Cement oversees brands such as Al Ain Cement Factory, Emirates Blocks Factories, ANABEEB, and Arkan Bags. These divisions form the backbone of EMSTEEL's operations, ensuring the delivery of top-tier products to meet the growing demands of both domestic and global markets in the construction and manufacturing sectors. The group’s structure is flexible, designed to accommodate new business lines and expansions into fresh markets.

At the core of EMSTEEL’s strategy are innovation and sustainability. The group is investing in advanced technologies and clean energy initiatives, driving the development of cutting-edge solutions that focus on safety, quality, and efficiency. Producing low-carbon products remains a central objective as the company works towards offering environmentally sustainable solutions.

EMSTEEL controls 11% of Abu Dhabi’s manufacturing output and holds a 60% share of the UAE’s steel market. As a key player in supporting the UAE’s "Operation 300bn" industrial strategy, the company is also championing digital transformation across the sector. This is exemplified by its receipt of five prestigious "UAE Industry 4.0 Digital Leader" awards from the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT).

Eng. Saeed Ghumran Al Remeithi, Group Chief Executive Officer of EMSTEEL, said, “Today’s unveiling of our new brand identity marks a milestone in our evolution, as the group forges ahead to support its customers and add value to its shareholders with a unified vision. Our EMSTEEL brand carries us forward into a future full of opportunities for expansion, business growth and digital transformation. It represents our commitment to creating products, services and solutions to build a better world, in addition to driving global sustainability efforts in our sector through promoting a low-carbon supply chain in collaboration with our partners.

He added, “The company is committed to reducing carbon emissions in alignment with the UAE's Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative, where the use of clean energy in our operations is at 80%.  EMSTEEL is a global leader in low-carbon steel production and the first steelmaker in the world to capture its CO2 emissions, enabling us to operate with 45% less carbon than our peers.”

Cat Lift Trucks quality is now within reach of more users and applications, thanks to the new entry-level EQ line.

Specified for lighter duties and smaller jobs, these warehouse trucks have everything you need for dependable materials handling. That includes sturdy construction, simple maintenance, energy-efficient features, robust performance, user-friendly design, and safety.

The EQ line covers eight key warehouse product ranges. Each benefits from the productivity, efficiency and long-term cost-saving advantages of lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery technology. Power levels are higher and more consistent; runtimes are longer; no battery maintenance is needed; and lifespan is extended. In addition, opportunity charging can keep the trucks going without battery changes.

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The EQ Line full range

Power pallet trucks

First up in the EQ line are the mini power pallet trucks, NPP15-20QBL. These are great all-rounders, combining small size with impressive strength and resilience. They can transport loads up to 2.0 tonnes, but they’re compact enough to work anywhere. You can manoeuvre them easily in narrow aisles, containers, goods vehicles and small buildings.

More conventionally shaped pedestrian power pallet trucks are offered with capacities of 1.8 tonnes (NPP18QL) and 2.0 tonnes (NPP20QL). They’re compact and easy to handle, with an ergonomic tiller arm, high-quality forks and a smoothly controlled AC drive motor. Robustly built, they will give many years of trouble-free service.

A 2.0 tonne platform power pallet truck, NPV20QL, builds on the same features and capabilities. Its platform can be easily folded up for pedestrian use in the narrowest spaces. Ride-on mode enables faster travel over longer distances, with less operator fatigue. This versatile model is ideal for vehicle loading and unloading as well as transport.

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The new range has been developed specifically for lighter duties and smaller jobs

Compact stackers

For exceptional versatility in a small package, the EQ line offers a choice of compact pedestrian stackers. These are even small enough to take into vans and elevators. The 1.2 tonne mono mast version, NSP12QLMI, will stack and retrieve at heights up to 1.95 metres. The 1.2 tonne duplex mast model, NSP12QLDI, extends this to 3.3 metres. You can also use them for short shuttle runs and order picking. They’re a great do-it-all solution for smaller warehouses and supermarkets.

Sit-on tow trucks

The EQ line’s sit-on tow trucks, NTS30-60Q, offer capacities of 3.0 or 6.0 tonnes. They’re great for transporting heavy loads over both rough and smooth surfaces, indoors and outdoors. Their high ground clearance smooths out bumps and gradients. And they’re tough enough to withstand the knocks of a busy workplace. Comfortably seated, the operator stays productive mile after mile.

Mini order picker

One of the most unusual EQ line products is the mini order picker, MNO1.5Q1. It’s not just for order picking: it does the job of a ladder too – but much more safely and efficiently. Automatic aids prevent operation unless the user’s hands and feet are properly in place and the safety gates are closed.
With its stable mast and chassis, you can lift its platform safely to 3 metres. From there, the operator can pick items as high as 5 metres.

As well as picking at racking levels 1, 2 and 3, you can use it for inspection and maintenance tasks at height. Changing a light bulb or repairing a ceiling fixture, for example. It will even optionally transport additional loads by towing trailers.

For applications needing only occasional use of a lift truck each day, EQ line products are your perfect choice. They bring you all the right qualities to do the job quickly and simply – and make your life easier. And as well as raising your productivity, they lower your overall costs. In particular, they save money through their durability, minimal maintenance needs and low energy consumption.

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To find out more, visit EQ Line. Further information on the complete range of Cat forklifts, warehouse equipment and related services can be found at www.catlifttruck.com. See them in action via https://www.catlifttruck.com/videos and follow the news on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter.

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