26/01/2010

Under the patronage of H.E Shaikh Isa bin Ali AL Khalifa, Advisor to HRM the Prime Minister for Oil and Industrial Affairs and GPIC Board Chairman, GPIC has celebrated the opening of its environmental friendly Carbon dioxide recovery plant.

The recovery unit was opened on December 24 can capture 450 metric tons of CO2 per day, and considered to be one of the world's largest capacities for the chemical application. Captured CO2 will increase the daily production of Methanol by 120 metric tons and Urea by 80 metric tons.

Meanwhile, Carbon dioxide recovery plant is aligned with Bahrain's Economic Vision 2030; it also coincides with choosing GPIC as the first official partner for the UNEP Climate Conference held recently in Copenhagen.

In cooperation with Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar), GPIC is planning to register the project within the UN clean industry program.

In a speech on the occasion, GPIC General Manager Mr. Abdulrahman Jawahery extended his thanks and regards to H.E Shaikh Isa bin Ali AL Khalifa, Advisor to HRM the Prime Minister for Oil and Industrial Affairs and GPIC Board Chairman, who has been the catalyst behind this new technology from day one.

He praised the wise vision of the Members of Board of Directors and their unwavering dedication and invaluable contribution to the global co-operation aimed at protecting the environment.

"This new technology will reduce carbon dioxide emissions responsible for global warming and the severe increases in Earth's temperature which leads to disastrous environmental consequences" he elaborated.

Its worth mentioning that Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd of Japan was the main construction Company of the project, tech- provider Company was Technoment (MHI) of Italy while the sub-contractor was the Bahraini MCSC.

Environment in GPIC:

In addition to GPIC's commitment to the environmental laws and legislation, the Company has contributed in drafting environmental legislation in number of Unions such as the Arab and international Fertilizer Associations. On 2006, and in cooperation with British Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, GPIC has presented Delmon International Environment Prize aimed at encouraging various Industrial establishments all over the world to assume their responsibilities in protecting humanity and the planet on which we live.

Gulf Petrochemical Industries Company was selected as the first official partner for the UNEP Climate Conference recently held in Copenhagen. In a campaign launched by the United Nations, GPIC General Manager Mr. Abdulrahman Jawahery has recorded a statement on the UN official website www.sealthedeal2009.org.

Within its various environmental programs adopted by the company to disseminate environmental awareness among school students in the Kingdom of Bahrain, the Gulf Petrochemical Industries Company initiated a number of educational lectures in the field of the environment, in cooperation with the Ministry of Education. It has provided 220 Lectures benefiting more than 16000 students from various academic levels.

Lectures are aimed at developing and educating the younger generation and raise their awareness of the importance of the preserving the environment and reducing the environmental pollution. The Company also presents financial support to high schools student through sponsoring environmental researches. In addition to all that, GPIC issues regularly a number of publications, directed to all segments of society to spread environmental awareness and promote environmentally friendly practices.

Unique environmental projects:

To help the aged and poor families, a charity garden was founded in 1992 that produced more than 16 tonnes of vegetables for this purpose.

A fish farm created adjacent to the outfall from the process plants proved the compatibility of GPIC Operations to the marine life and replenished fish stocks by more than 330,000 fish.

To provide a safe heaven for migrating birds and local species, a Birds Sanctuary surrounded by the almost extinct Qirm trees was established in 2002. 104 species were recorded visiting the sanctuary and a number of them inhabited the island. An artificial lake was created near the two islands for breeding marine creatures that provide the main source of food for such birds. The Bird Sanctuary has provided a safe haven, natural and convenient habitat for Flamingoes and other migrant birds that stay for most of the year in the shallow coastal areas and feed on crustaceans available at the site.

A Medicinal Herbs garden was established in 2005, it has assisted in the preservation and revival of indigenous herbs used for treatment purposes. It also raised the number of trees planted in the complex to 4,700.

Finally, The Company was honored last March by a visit from of HRH Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, Wife of HM King and Chairwoman of the Supreme Council for Women, to inaugurate the Aromatic Plants Garden which bear the name of HRH.

The garden contains various kinds of medical herbs and aromatic plants collected from Gulf countries in order to maintain and provide the appropriate environment for scientific research. Shaikha Sabeeka Garden for Aromatic Plants is characterized by a unique design with a beautiful fountain. It is now a home for various species of birds and butterflies.