The Mapei Group, world leader in the production of chemical products for the construction industry, is strengthening its industrial presence in North Africa with the opening of a new production plant in Egypt, in the City of the Tenth Ramadan, northwest of Cairo. This new investment confirms Mapei's long-term vision: to be a key player in the global development of the construction sector, focusing on innovation, quality, durability and local presence.
With a total area of 30,000 square metres, the new factory will produce the main Mapei products for the local market, from adhesives for ceramic laying to mortars, from concrete admixtures to grinding aids for cement production. It will be the Group's second production plant in Egypt after the Vinavil polymer production plant, which has been active in Suez since 2002, with 150 employees.
"The opening of the Mapei plant in Egypt – said the Ambassador of Italy in Cairo, Michele Quaroni, speaking at the inauguration event – is a further step in the solidity of bilateral economic and trade relations between Italy and Egypt and the strong interest of Italian companies in investing in this country in strategic sectors for Made in Italy. Egypt is in fact a crucial partner of ours because of its geographical position, its economic, political and demographic weight in the Euro-Mediterranean region and the openness it fosters towards the entire African market. In line with the spirit of the Mattei Plan for Africa, the productive investments, the transfer of technology and know-how, and the training activities that will be carried out in Egypt by Mapei, are warmly welcomed by the Italian Government and the Egyptian authorities, as they will provide a very important contribution to the economic growth of this country and to our bilateral relationship".
"Egypt today represents a very attractive market for the construction industry worldwide," says Veronica Squinzi, CEO of Mapei. With more than 100 million inhabitants and a steady population growth, the country is experiencing a growing demand for residential construction, supported by robust government investment plans in infrastructure, hospitality and transport. The presence of two industrial sites, Mapei and Vinavil, in the area will strengthen the Group's competitiveness while promoting local production capacities, creating job opportunities and facilitating technology transfer."
"In addition to a local construction market expected to grow by 10%, the proactive policies promoted by the Ministry of Investment through the General Authority for Investments and Free Zones (FATF), focused on industrialization and infrastructure development, have created a favorable environment for foreign direct investment, generating the need for advanced solutions such as fiber-reinforced concrete or fiber-reinforced concrete pavements polyurethane-cement for the growing chemical, pharmaceutical and food industries".
"The new plant, designed to produce a wide range of products using cutting-edge technologies," adds Marco Squinzi, CEO of Mapei, "is located in a strategic position where the main logistics hubs are located. The proximity to the Cairo-Suez and Cairo-Ain Sokhna corridor will allow Mapei to distribute its products efficiently both within Egypt and in the neighboring markets of North Africa and the Middle East. It will also be a gateway to sub-Saharan Africa, thanks to existing trade agreements and growing economic integration among African nations."
"Designed to meet the needs of the local construction industry, guaranteeing proximity, faster delivery times and tailor-made technical support," he adds, "the plant is also equipped with a quality control laboratory and a space for the training programs of the Mapei Academy, Mapei's training offer that is developed through free events aimed at professionals and companies, contributing to the development of local skills. As a regional hub, designed to be scalable, it will allow Mapei to increase production and storage capacity according to demand and to expand the offer with additional production lines".
Mapei Egypt, which now has 70 employees, was founded in 2017 in New Cairo as a commercial presence in the country, where the Group had been present since 2002 through its subsidiary Vinavil. Over the years, Mapei solutions have contributed to some of Egypt's most important infrastructure and urban development projects, such as Cairo Metro Line 4, the Alamein Towers, the government district and the Central Business District (CBD) of the New Administrative Capital.
Today, the Mapei Group generates a turnover of 60 million euros in Egypt and employs 220 people, contributing to the development of the local economy and the local construction market.