Amaero International Limited, headquartered in Notting Hill, Victoria, Australia, and Rabdan Industries PLC, an affiliate of diversified holding company Ethmar Holdings based in Abu Dhabi, UAE, have announced an exclusive partnership for Additive Manufacturing and metal powder production in the Middle East. Forming a joint venture, the companies have established Falcon Advanced Metals PLC, a 50/50 partnership acting as a holding company to control and own a number of further operating subsidiaries.

With a budget of some AUD $300 million (USD $203 million), the partners plan to create an applied engineering, design and commercialisation centre in Abu Dhabi. The project includes adding large-format AM and establishing a metal powder production facility with seven gas atomisers, four dedicated to titanium and three atomisers for aluminium, copper and superalloys.

In addition, the partners will pursue a strategy to develop projects to vertically integrate the titanium supply chain, including titanium sponge, melt, mill and forge operations.

It was stated that Amaero will contribute goodwill, reputation and knowledge to the joint venture, with a licensing agreement expected to be signed for IP and know how in respect of the project. Rabdan will contribute local knowledge and relationships, and has also committed to directly provide funding for capital expenditure at the project level and/or to indirectly secure funding from Abu Dhabi-based strategic groups.

“After spending three months in the UAE and countless hours with our partners, I couldn’t be more excited about embarking on the next chapter of Amaero’s growth and development with Rabdan Industries,” stated Hank Holland, Amaero’s chairman and CEO. “Our partner brings deep knowledge and relationships in the UAE, as well as in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Moreover, Falcon Advanced Metals’ capabilities and growth strategy closely align with the UAE’s priority economic and industrialisation initiatives.”

www.amaero.com.au