NewswireTODAY - /newswire/ - Zwevegem, Belgium, 2025/11/13 - Under the MoU, the parties agreed to jointly develop, engineer, and promote reinforcement systems for industrial floors, outdoor/port pavements, rafts, concrete roads, and precast elements in the Middle East and North-African countries - IKKMateenbar.com . Euronext: BEKB

Bekaert and IKK Mateenbar signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on lower-carbon concrete reinforcement solutions that combine Saudi-made glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) rebar with Bekaert’s Dramix® steel fibers and Synmix® synthetic fibers. The signing ceremony was held at the Ministry of Energy in Riyadh and hosted by Saudi Arabia’s Oil Sustainability Program (OSP).

Under the MoU, the parties agreed to jointly develop, engineer, and promote reinforcement systems for industrial floors, outdoor/port pavements, rafts, concrete roads, and precast elements in the Middle East and North-African countries.

“Today’s MoU brings together the best of both worlds: the proven performance of steel fibers and the corrosion-free efficiency of GFRP,” said Eric Peeters, Divisional CEO Sustainable Construction, Bekaert. “By coupling Dramix® and Synmix® fibers with Mateenbar™ GFRP, designers can meet demanding structural and sustainability targets with confidence.” Yves Kerstens, Group CEO, Bekaert, added: “We are proud to contribute, together with our partners, to the strong sustainability and innovation drive in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the wider MENA-region.”

“For asset owners, the hybrid approach delivers practical value today steel fibers provide toughness and crack control while GFRP eliminates corrosion risk and reduces weight resulting in a more durable, lower-carbon concrete at competitive first cost,” said Nick Crofts, Co-GM, IKK Mateenbar. “As a Saudi manufacturer, we produce Mateenbar in Dammam using local, oil-derived resins, and we welcome Bekaert’s plans to promote GFRP rebar and hybrid reinforcement systems,” said Hamed Bader, Co-GM, IKK Mateenbar.

“OSP welcomes this step toward sustainable, high-value uses of hydrocarbon-derived materials,” said Mohammad Al Tayyar, Program Director, OSP. “Hybrid and GFRP systems can reduce lifecycle emissions and extend asset life across the Kingdom and beyond.”

The MoU sets guiding principles while the parties work toward a definitive commercial agreement for manufacturing and sales in the region.

About Bekaert

Bekaert’s ambition (bekaert.com) is to be the leading partner for shaping the way we live and move, and to always do this in a way that is safe, smart, and sustainable. As a global market and technology leader in material science of steel wire transformation and coating technologies, Bekaert (bekaert.com) also applies its expertise beyond steel to create new solutions with innovative materials and services for markets including new mobility, sustainable construction, and energy transition. Founded in 1880, with its headquarters in Belgium, Bekaert (Euronext Brussels, BEKB) is a global technology company whose 21 000 employees worldwide together generated € 4.0 billion in consolidated sales in 2024.

Dramix® steel fibers and Synmix® synthetic fibers help decarbonize the construction sector and solve the most complex reinforcement challenges. Applications include fiber-only and hybrid solutions for industrial and
warehouse floors and rafts, precast elements, tunneling and mining, port pavement, bridges, and more.

About IKK Mateenbar

IKK Mateenbar (ikkmateenbar.com) is a strategic joint venture between Isam Khairy Kabbani Group (KSA) and Pultron Composites (New Zealand), dedicated to advancing innovative reinforcement solutions for the construction industry. Based in Dammam’s 3rd Industrial City, the company manufactures Mateenbar™ GFRP rebar, a Saudi-made product that has become a global brand of choice for engineers and contractors seeking long-term durability and sustainability. Recognized for its exceptional corrosion resistance, high strength-to-weight ratio, and reduced environmental impact, Mateenbar™ is widely specified across Saudi Arabia, the GCC, and international markets, supporting the region’s push for more resilient and lower-carbon infrastructure.

About the Oil Sustainability Program (OSP)

OSP is a Saudi governmental entity dedicated to ensuring and supporting the environmental and economic efficiency of hydrocarbons through sustainable approaches that encourage the integration between multiple
industries on both a national and international level.

Media Contacts
IKK Mateenbar: Akash Bhattacharya - Media Manager - E: akash.bhattacharya[.]ikkgroup.com - T +966 53 700 8842
OSP: Sadeem Al Anzan Awareness Senior Specialist - E: Sadeem.anzan[.]osp.gov.sa - T +966 544593364

Agency / Source: NV Bekaert SA

Availability: All Regions (Including Int'l)

Traffic Booster: [/] Quick NewswireToday Visibility Checker

Distribution / Indexing: [+]  / [Company listed above is a registered member of our network. Content made possible by PRZOOM / PRTODAY indexing services]