Emirates Extruded Polystyrene [EEP], a subsidiary of Dubai Investments – the leading investment company listed on the DFM, has announced plans to expand its production capacity in the coming two years to approximately 2.4 million sq m per year, buoyed by the burgeoning demand for its unique extruded polystyrene sheets in the UAE & GCC markets.

A joint venture between Dubai Investments and Farha Brothers of Cloisall Company, EEP launched commercial production in September 2007.

EEP, which currently produces approximately 1.2 million sq m of extruded polystyrene sheets per year, has witnessed a phenomenal surge in demand amidst the ongoing construction activity in the UAE and GCC.

Utilizing over 80 per cent of its production capacity, EEP enjoys a 30 per cent market share in the extruded polystyrene sheets sector across the region.

The company plans to expand its production capacity at its 6,235 sq m plot within Dubai Investments Park, with a new production line that will cater to the predicted sharp surge in demand for insulation materials once the Expo 2020 projects are activated in the next two to three years.

Mallikarjuna Gowda, the general manager, said: “Over the last six and a half years, EEP has carved a niche with its unique polystyrene sheets manufactured in line with the highest quality standards. With the anticipated demand likely to spurt over the next two years as the Expo 2020 projects take off in Dubai, we have concrete plans to expand our production facility. The new production line will significantly increase the total output of the plant.”

EEP’s polystyrene sheets are marketed under the brand name E-Foam, whose main application is for heating insulation, anti-impact material and major construction elements. Other EEP brands include E-Roof, E-Wall and E-Floor.

The company currently caters to the UAE market and exports to a number of countries including Oman, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, India, Pakistan, Thailand and Botswana, among others.

According to Gowda, the demand for insulation material in the Gulf countries is expected to grow phenomenally.

Thanks to a UAE Federal Law that enforces the use of energy-saving and environment-friendly building materials in the construction industry, it has become mandatory for many companies to use extruded polystyrene sheets for the insulation of roofs, walls and foundations.

EEP has secured environmental compliance in all stages of production, along with DCL (Dubai Central lab) certification from Dubai Municipality with all residual matter from the manufacturing process recycled with the original raw materials to achieve zero wastage, said Gowda.

“The entire production process has been designed in line with our strategy to promote energy-efficiency and sustainability which is highly regarded as green project,” he added. -TradeArabia News Service