Industrial Development & Management
Hydrogen Fluoride Chemical Complex in the UAE Abu Dhabi
First of its kind fluorine complex in the GULF, was founded in 2006 by Dr Wael Suleiman and HE Hamad Suhail Al Khaili. Dr Suleiman was involved in this project from its founding through the construction phases and production start up until his exit in 2016.
Gulf Fluor is an Abu Dhabi based chemical manufacturing company determined to meet the growing demand for aluminium fluoride in the Arab Gulf and cover part of the import requirement of other nearby regions.
Following a thorough analysis confirming the technical and economic viability of the project, the company has announced the construction of a fluorides complex in the Industrial City of Abu Dhabi. Since its establishment, all the requirements for its operations were met, and the strategic partnerships were set up with leading European technology companies that provide the Project with the most advanced, cutting-edge solutions for the hydrogen fluoride, aluminium fluoride and sulphuric acid plant.
The Chemical Complex is located in the Industrial City of Abu Dhabi – 2 (ICAD2) the development comprises units to produce Sulphuric Acid (H2SO4), hydrogen fluoride (HF), aluminium fluoride (AlF3) and calcium sulphate.
Gulf Fluor fluorine complex capital cost was around $US 400 million with the total paid share capital of 450 million AED. The company is determined to meet the growing demand for aluminium fluoride and other chemical materials to cover part of the import requirement of the Arab Gulf and other nearby regions.
Aluminium fluoride is an important additive in the production of aluminium metal. It is the preferred material for modern aluminium smelters. The minimum purity of the Producers’ aluminium fluoride Super Grade is 94 %, which is much higher than a commodity grade of aluminium fluoride that is
available from other producers in the world. Hydrogen Fluoride is used as intermediate product for the manufacture of fluorocarbons, such as hydrofluoroolefins, R-134a and R-125, which are widely used in refrigeration and cooling applications. Hydrogen Fluoride is also used in fluorinated polymers as PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene – Teflon), It is also used for petroleum alkylation, steel pickling, glass etching, production of nitrogen tri-fluoride and lithium fluoride.
Due to its low content of water 20-80ppm, this type of hydrogen fluoride is the preferred in the nuclear fuel process industry. Calcium sulphate is used in the construction industry as a component of cement and for self-levelling floor.
AHF Plant (Anhydrous Hydrofluoric Acid)
The latest venture of Fidelity Group is the construction of a factory producing AHF (Anhydrous Hydrofluoric Acid) of toxic waste FSA (Fluorosilicicacid) generated in the production of PA (Phosphoricacid), changing waste into valuable product market. The estimated value of the investment is 200 million USD.
