Ibrahim Alshami, Managing Director of Jotun Egypt speaking during the event.
The announcement came during an industry event in Cairo attended by representatives from the Ministry of Industry and Investment, the Federation of Egyptian Industries, members of the Senate, engineering and consulting firms, the National Housing and Building Research Center, and the Norwegian ambassador to Egypt.
The company said local production will make globally certified fire protection technologies more accessible to projects across key sectors, including transport, railways, industrial facilities, high-rise developments, and strategic infrastructure.
As part of the initiative, Jotun is now manufacturing its SteelMaster passive fire protection coating at its Egypt facility, which has an annual production capacity of 72 million litres under a single-shift operation.
The company said the investment supports Egypt’s drive to localize industry by strengthening domestic manufacturing capabilities, facilitating technology transfer, creating added industrial value, and enhancing export potential.
SteelMaster is an intumescent coating designed to protect structural steel during fires. When exposed to high temperatures, the coating expands to form an insulating layer that slows heat transfer, helping steel structures retain their load-bearing capacity for longer. Depending on the application and structural specifications, the product can provide fire protection for up to 180 minutes.
Founded in Norway in 1926, Jotun operates in more than 100 countries through 68 companies and 40 production facilities worldwide.
Jotun entered the Egyptian market in 1986 with the establishment of its first factory producing marine and industrial coatings. The company now offers decorative, protective and marine coatings through a nationwide network of more than 600 Jotun Multicolor Centres.
Speaking at the event, Ibrahim Alshami, Managing Director of Jotun Egypt, described the initiative as “a strategic step toward strengthening local capabilities, applying global standards locally, and supporting the long-term resilience of the country’s most important projects and assets.”
“Through this approach, Jotun Egypt is helping make world-class fire protection solutions more accessible to the sectors that rely on safety, continuity, and sustainable performance,” Alshami said.
The company said local production is intended to serve both the Egyptian market and regional demand, enabling faster delivery while maintaining internationally certified quality standards.
Passive fire protection systems are designed to slow structural failure during fires, allowing additional time for evacuation and emergency response while limiting damage to buildings, equipment, and other critical assets.
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