Khalid Cement and Shell Sign Agreement to Develop Sulphur Concrete Technology for Qatar

Jan. 18, 2011 - PRLog -- The collaboration could contribute to reducing the environmental impact of some construction in Qatar, and provide new outlets for Qatar’s rapidly increasing sulphur production.
The agreement was signed by Sheikh Ahmad Bin Khalid Bin Mohammed Al Thani, Chief Executive Officer of Khalid Cement and Mr. Andy Brown, Shell’s Executive Vice President.
The joint work will combine Khalid Cement’s expertise in manufacturing and commercialising pre-cast concrete with Shell’s proprietary Shell Thiocrete technology which reduces the cost of modifying sulphur for use in concrete. Shell and Khalid Cement will be using indigenous sulphur, sand, aggregate and fillers to produce sulphur concrete.
Shell Thiocrete offers high performance and environmental benefits compared to concrete made from Portland-cement. Shell Thiocrete does not require water, which is scarce in Qatar. The manufacturing process also offers lower CO2 emissions than Portland-cement concrete partly because the emissions associated with limestone conversion in the cement manufacturing process are avoided. The end product reaches maximum strength within hours rather than the weeks and it is acid and salt-water resistant
By 2015 there will be an estimated 2.5 million tons of sulphur produced annually in Qatar, all derived from the production of oil and natural gas. Global production of sulphur is also likely to increase significantly. Finding new ways to use sulphur would enable Qatar to improve the economic return derived from this natural resource.
Sheikh Ahmad Bin Khalid Bin Mohammed Al Thani, CEO of Khalid Cement said: “We believe there is significant scope to develop new Pre-cast Concrete Technology and ultimately commercial products from sulphur concrete that will be well-received in the Qatar construction market. We are pleased to partner with Shell in this venture, and are glad that it could make both environmental and economic contribution to the nation. Khalid Cement, as one of Qatar’s leading providers of complete concrete solutions has the ability to design, manufacture and erect precast elements while ensuring high quality production as evidenced by Khalid Cement’s ISO, QGOSM and NRMCA certifications .  We are proud that Khalid Cement is a part of Qatar’s Commendable Growth with our sustainable & credible involvement in major landmark projects and relevant technological initiatives, such as this innovation with Shell.”
Andy Brown said: “Shell is proud to partner with Khalid Cement for the purposes of this development work, which we hope will create whole new, environmentally-constructive, markets for sulphur, which is one of Qatar’s natural resources. Much Portland cement is currently imported, so this work could also help to diversify Qatar’s industry. We think both these outcomes would be in line with Qatar National Vision 2030.”

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Khalid Cement Industries Complex (KCIC) is one of Qatar’s foremost suppliers of complete concrete solutions. It established itself as major concrete production company with its 200,000 square meter main production plant just outside Doha, Qatar. We have plants in Industrial Area, Dukhan, Dafna and soon in Ras Laffan area.
KCIC is an ISO 9001-2008, QGOSM, NRMCA, and GREEN-STAR certified company with the ability to design, produce and erect complete elements of precast building. We successfully completed some landmark projects in Qatar. KCIC products and services includes Ready Mix Concrete, Pre-cast Concrete, Hollow Core Slabs, all types of Blocks, Kerbstones, Interlock Pavers.