Construction starts on AED 2.2 billion tire manufacturing plant in Abu Dhabi; first in the UAE

• The Roadbot Tire Project is latest milestone of the 50-year agreement between Abu Dhabi Ports and JOCIC; strengthening Abu Dhabi’s connection to China’s Belt and Road trade initiative
• Annual production capacity for Roadbot Tire Project KIZAD will reach 10 million Passenger Car Radial tires and 1 million Truck and Bus Radial tires by 2022
• The scale of production will be one of the highest in the world for PCR and TBR tires at a single location
• The factory at KIZAD will further spur growth in the downstream industry in Abu Dhabi and connect the UAE to regional and international automotive markets

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 22 January 2019: Senior industry figures from China and the UAE celebrated the groundbreaking of the Roadbot Tire Project KIZAD (‘Roadbot’) today, marking the development of the first tire manufacturing plant in the UAE and the growth of downstream industry in KIZAD, Abu Dhabi’s industrial hub and part of Abu Dhabi Ports.

The 2.2 square kilometre 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 Roadboat project was launched last year during the visit of Chinese Premier Xi Jinping to the UAE.

Across 275,000 square metres, the factory will have an initial annual production capacity of 3 million Passenger Car Radial (PCR) tires and 1 million Truck and Bus Radial (TBR) tires; with production increasing to 10 million PCR tires and 1 million Truck and Bus Radials by 2022. The facility strengthens Abu Dhabi’s unique position in the regional original equipment manufacturer (OEM) and replacement tire markets.