Sustainable infrastructure development to be the focus of International Zinc Association's Dubai event

DUBAI, November 19, 2013: The International Zinc Association (IZA), a non-profit organization based in Brussels-Belgium, will host an international industrial seminar on Continuously Galvanized Rebar (GCR) in Dubai, in collaboration with Conares, the leading provider of downstream steel products in the region.

The seminar, to be held at The Address Dubai Marina Hotel on Sunday November 24, 2013 – from 8.30am to 2pm followed by a plant tour – will focus on Continuously Galvanized Rebar, a new approach in corrosion protection for steel reinforcement in concrete.

The IZA is the only global industry association, dedicated exclusively to the interests of zinc and its users. IZA's main programs are Sustainability and Environment, Technology and Market Development and Communications.

The seminar will address the issue of corrosion of reinforcing steel in concrete and the use of galvanizing as a corrosion protection system for embedded steel with a focus on the new technology of the continuous, in-line coating of steel reinforcement.

The keynote presenters of the seminar are Dr. Stephen Yeomans- an expert on Galvanized Reinforcement in Concrete from University of South Wales-Canberra (Australia); Ayhan Tugrul- Sustainable Scheme Manager of UK Cares (UK Certification Authority for Reinforcing Steels); Thomas Ranck, Founder and President of Ferro Technologies Inc; and Martin Gagne- Principal of Zelixir Inc., retained by IZA.

The seminar will be followed by an optional plant tour for selected members on a first come first serve basis.

Commenting on organizing the seminar, Mr. Martin Gagné, Consultant to IZA and Principal of Zelixir Inc., said, “It gives us great pleasure to be a part of this global seminar, which will highlight the significance of Continuous Galvanized Rebar in the construction industry. Through this seminar, we are certain we will attain our goals and highlight the importance of galvanization of rebar to its users.”

“IZA aims to help in sustaining the global demand for zinc and its markets as it promotes such key end uses as corrosion protection for steel and the essentiality of zinc in human health and crop nutrition,” he added.

Commenting on the importance of the industry seminar, Mr. Bharat Bhatia, CEO of Conares, said, “We are delighted to collaborate with IZA in hosting this seminar on Continuously Galvanized Reinforcement. Being a key player in the region's steel industry, we realize the significance of addressing the issue of corrosion that adversely affects the sustainability of the construction industry.”

“The Continuously Galvanized Reinforcement is a process, which has been widely adapted in key developed countries with the forward thinking of sustainability and building life cycles. We are happy to introduce this new and sustainable approach in the infrastructure development for the Middle East region. We would like to thank IZA for their partnership,” he added.

Mr. Bhatia further said, “At Conares, we are always in a constant lookout for growth and development of the construction and steel industry, and the seminar is a means towards a modern usage of procedures and bringing an evolution in the tools and techniques of the industry.”

Continuously Galvanized Reinforcement (CGR) is a breakthrough approach in the supply of galvanized reinforcing bar for use in concrete construction, and economic with the coating being predominantly pure zinc provides superior coating adhesion and significantly improved formability for ease of fabrication. CGR also provides ongoing corrosion resistance in concrete due to the large reserve of zinc through the coating which affords long-term maintenance of the passive layer on the galvanized surface.

The CGR process uses technology very similar to the continuous galvanizing of steel sheet used for automobile manufacturing. The steel is immersed in a zinc bath for only a few seconds, which results in a very formable coating.

Interested people from across industries are requested to call on +97148835111 (Maricel) or drop in a mail at RSVP@conares.com for more information on registering to participate in the event.