Germany’s thyssenkrupp bets big on Saudi Arabia for industrial solutions

German conglomerate thyssenkrupp’s industrial solutions division is bidding for new projects in Saudi Arabia with focus on fertilizer, mining and petrochemical sectors.

“We are bidding for various projects fitting to our product portfolio directly or indirectly via various partnerships,” Volker Hellberg, CEO – Saudi Arabia, thyssenkrupp Industrial Solutions, told Argaam in an exclusive interview.

“As a complete supplier for engineering, procurement, construction, and service of industrial plants and systems, we can offer the Kingdom a wide range of advanced and proven solutions. These include technologies and services for the mining, mineral processing, cement and chemical industries,” he added.

Projects underway

The industrial solutions division is currently working on the third ammonia plant for Saudi Arabian Mining Company (Maaden).

“We already supplied, successfully installed and commissioned two other existing ammonia plants for Maaden. The dual-pressure ammonia process is also the basis for the third ammonia plant, which will significantly increase the ammonia production capacity while reducing energy consumption by up to four percent,” Hellberg said.

Furthermore, it is in the commissioning phase of the new cement plant of Yamama Cement, which is located close to Al Kharsh, approximately 80-kilometres east of Riyadh. The plant has a total annual capacity of 6.6 million tons of clinker and 7 million tons of cement from two production lines.

“Yamama’s new cement plant will have its own power plant, a residential complex for permanent personnel, and operational infrastructure. We are responsible for the conceptual work, engineering, procurement, construction, installation, and commissioning of this cement complex,” he revealed.

Earlier this year, Saudi Arabia launched the National Industrial Development and Logistics Program (NIDLP) with the aim to develop national industries and services in line with Vision 2030. The program will bring together 30 government entities and align four sectors -- mining, industrialization, energy and logistics services -- to offer integrated services to investors.

Read: Crown Prince launches National Industrial Development and Logistics Program

Given the Kingdom’s focus on industrial development, Thyssenkrupp remains strongly committed to Saudi Arabia, with Hellberg adding the company will help realize the Vision 2030 goals by educating and training young Saudis.

Growing local talent

As part of its commitment to promoting Saudization, the German firm has set up programs to empower Saudi nationals to take on technical and management functions across all areas.

 “We have a wide range of employment and development opportunities for local staff on all levels in technical, financial and administrative areas. We invest a lot in training people and integrating them as fast as possible in our global network.”

While thyssenkrupp industrial solutions business doubled its order intake in services in the last financial year, it is expecting a 30 to 40 percent growth this year as it aims to strengthen its service activities in the Kingdom.

“Our plan is to serve our customers better and faster by strengthening our local presence. We plan to increase our on the ground capabilities for services as well as for our chemical product portfolio (fertilizer, downstream and third-party technology),” Hellberg added.

Write to Parag Deulgaonkar at parag.d@argaamplus.com