Construction begins on US$ 615mn, 275000sqm factory
Senior industry figures from China and the UAE celebrated the recent groundbreaking of the Roadbot tyre project KIZAD (Roadbot), marking the development of the first tyre manufacturing plant in the UAE and the growth of downstream industry in KIZAD, Abu Dhabi’s industrial hub and part of Abu Dhabi Ports.
Developed by Chinese tyre manufacturer Roadbot with a total investment of AED 2.2 billion (USD 615 mn), the Roadbot factory is being built in KIZAD’s China-UAE Industrial Capacity Cooperation Demonstration Zone in line with international standards and equipped with latest innovative solutions in tyre production. It will be fully operational by October 2020.
The 2.2sqm Demonstration Zone is being developed by Jiangsu Provincial Overseas Cooperation and Investment Company (JOCIC), and Roadbot becomes the first Chinese firm to set up there since JOCIC and Abu Dhabi Ports signed a 50-year agreement in 2017. The Roadbed project was launched last year during the visit of Chinese Premier Xi Jinping to the UAE.
Record production capacity
Across 275,000 square metres, the factory will have an initial annual production capacity of 3mn Passenger Car Radial (PCR) tires and 1mn Truck and Bus Radial (TBR) tires; with production increasing to 10mn PCR tires and 1mn Truck and Bus Radials by 2022. The facility strengthens Abu Dhabi’s unique position in the regional original equipment manufacturer (OEM) and replacement tyre markets.
The groundbreaking ceremony was held in the presence of HE Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, the UAE Minister of State and Chairman of Abu Dhabi Ports, and attended by Roadbot Chair Zhang Yingzi.
“The Roadbot tyre factory will make an important contribution to the UAE’s manufacturing base as part of our leadership’s longstanding strategy to diversify our economy. Today’s groundbreaking also demonstrates the increasingly close ties between the UAE and China, and reinforces the UAE’s role as a key partner in China’s Belt and Road initiative,” said HE Dr. Sultan Al Jaber.
“The Roadbot Abu Dhabi tyre project is the result of close cooperation between the UAE and Chinese governments. It is based on the principle of achieving shared growth through discussion and collaboration. We are deeply honored to be playing a part in the economic transformation in Abu Dhabi,” said Zhang Yingzi
“Abu Dhabi’s strategic location as a gateway to the MENA region and KIZAD’s logistics efficiencies and connectivity continue to attract significant interest from the Chinese business community,”’ commented Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, CEO, Abu Dhabi Ports.
High Quality Control standards
The factory will meet the global tyre industry’s highest standards of design and construction, and, when completed, be an intelligent, fully automated, and eco-friendly plant. It will include alpine waterfalls and ecological gardens in the atrium, creating an inviting and encouraging environment for employees.
The facility will also harness the latest technology to enhance productivity, such as the internet of things, logistics automation, smart equipment, equipment networking and system real-time data collection, and intelligent analysis.
Roadbot tyre project KIZAD is set to play a major role in the UAE’s economic diversification and sustainability plans, creating up to 1,200 new jobs and supporting the development of an innovative and sustainable ecosystem for the automotive industry in the UAE.
