Mapei around the World
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5/9/2025
Bitumat, a history of innovation and quality
Bernard Weissenborn, CEO of the company specialising in roofing and waterproofing solutions that joined the Mapei Group, shares his views on the waterproofing market in Saudi Arabia
Bitumat, founded in 1983 and now part of the Mapei Group, is a leader in waterproofing and roofing solutions. Rooted in innovation and quality, the company has grown through technological advancements and strategic partnerships. Its integration with Mapei enhances synergies, broadening its market reach and product offerings.
Founded in 1983, Bitumat has become a cornerstone in the waterproofing industry. Can you share some key milestones in Bitumat’s history?
While Bitumat’s journey began in 1983, it has roots going back to 1975, when the founders, with a major American partner, entered the roofing and waterproofing industry as dealers and applicators in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The knowledge and experience gained from American and European manufacturers and products led to the choice of the most cost-effective modern roofing and waterproofing technologies related to modified bitumen membranes.
By 1984, Bitumat had started the first manufacturing line by importing Nardini machines from Italy to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and by 1993, another production line (again using Italian machines), was installed followed by the third line in 2008.
Its success was such that, in 1996, the Gulf Investment Corporation (GIC) acquired a 51% stake in Bitumat, followed by a 100% ownership in 2000.
The company’s achievements followed with the successful additions of the fourth line for manufacturing bitumen membranes in 2010, two lines for producing extruded polystyrene insulation boards in 2009 and 2018 and the line for synthetic membranes in 2013. The latter is the only production line based on co-extrusion using the latest technologies in the Middle East.
Today Bitumat exports to more than 50 countries around the world, including the Middle East, Far East, Africa, North Africa, Latin America and Asia Pacific.
Since February 2024 Bitumat has been part of the Mapei Group, which it owns 100%.
The Bitumat plant in Dammam is the largest in the waterproofing sector of the Middle East.
What are the values that have driven Bitumat's growth throughout its history?
Our growth has been underpinned by embracing several core values, with quality at the heart of what
we do. We commit to quality through our unrivalled quality control and by complying to our rigorous engineering standards.
We also recognise that people are our most important resource, and we foster a spirit of teamwork and individual growth. Developmental training for both decision-makers and team members, within the manufacturing facility and in the project arena, is key to our success.
The Bitumat manufacturing plant in Dammam houses different production lines.
How has joining the Mapei Group impacted Bitumat? Where do you see synergies and opportunities?
Joining the Mapei family has created a win-win scenario for both organisations.
Bitumat’s strong brand and reputation in the waterproofing market, combined with Mapei’s expertise and resources, has created significant synergies. Together, we will serve a larger market, with the agility of bundling Bitumat and Mapei complementary products and services.
The combination of Bitumat's brand reputation and Mapei's experience and resources will enable us to meet the needs of a broader market
What are your plans for the future of Bitumat?
The future for the Bitumat-Mapei brand is a much larger and stronger market presence in the core GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) countries as well as in export markets, showcasing the combined offerings of two renowned industry leaders. Our joint products will cater to the entire spectrum of needs in the local construction market: from simple waterproofing applications to complex, highly technical projects such as deep basements, piles, and tunnels, as well as roofing projects pioneering our latest technology roofing solutions to our markets.
The Bitumat plant houses several production lines including the only latest technology co-extrusion line for synthetic membranes in the Middle East.
What is your view on the waterproofing market in the coming years? How can Bitumat contribute?
The waterproofing market comprises a few major segments: solutions for roofing (including re-roofing), products for basements and tunnels as well as specialty synthetic liner solutions.
The roofing industry will continue to thrive due to the use of bitumen and increasingly synthetic materials. The main trend in the future is re-roofing as aging buildings require refurbishment.
The new construction market is, naturally, heavily influenced by the regional economy. Currently, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's economy, with its investment in new projects to serve the country's 2030 Vision and GCC's construction markets, is highly positive, despite some signs of caution.
Bitumat, with its main segments serving both the mega projects markets as well as the traditional distributors’ market, is well placed in the markets of Middle East and Africa where Mapei operates.
Our company, with its innovative solutions, well-known brand and strong market presence, is well-positioned to contribute significantly to these countries’ development and future.
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