• The micro-machining centre (MMC) is set to house two 5-axis DaVinci laser cutting machines, capable of automated diamond cutting and shaping
• New state-of-the-art facility will attract new precious stones and diamond businesses to Dubai and DMCC

DMCC – the world’s flagship Free Zone and Government of Dubai Authority on commodities trade and enterprise – and Synova SA, the Swiss based provider of revolutionary water jet guided laser systems, have announced that Synova SA has joined DMCC’s growing community of member companies by opening a new automated diamond manufacturing facility in Almas Tower.

Synova’s new manufacturing centre will house two 5-axis DaVinci Diamond Factory® systems. The DaVinci system is the first automated manufacturing solution that is able to transform rough diamonds into unique cut diamonds within a matter of hours. The DaVinci system also increases the value extracted from each diamond, as the cut-off diamond chips can be reused and are not polished away and lost, as is common in traditional diamond manufacturing methods.

The facility was inaugurated by senior representatives from DMCC and Synova SA including Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman and CEO of DMCC, Bernold Richerzhagen, Founder and CEO of Synova, Frank Eggmann, Consul General of Switzerland in Dubai, and Joerg Pausch, Head of Diamond Business Unit of Synova SA. The event featured speeches followed by an inauguration ceremony, live demonstrations of the DaVinci machine and networking.

Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, DMCC, said: “In 2021, the UAE became the largest rough diamond hub in the world, and with a total of USD 19.8 billion of rough and polished diamonds traded in the first half of 2022, Dubai is well on its way to becoming the leading trade hub for the polished segment as well. This revolutionary facility provides new manufacturing services that complement the UAE’s diamond industry, further strengthening its position a world-leading diamond trade hub. We would like to congratulate the entire Synova SA team, and we look forward to working together with our partners and members to shape the next chapter of the diamond industry’s growth.”

The new facility will provide job shop cutting services for rough diamonds, including full faceting, customised and fancy shape cutting, pie cutting and table sawing. The new facility at Almas Tower adds to the comprehensive diamond ecosystem present in Dubai, enhancing efficiencies and delivering greater value for the entire global diamond industry.

Dr. Bernold Richerzhagen, Founder and CEO, Synova SA, added: “Our new micro-machining centre (MMC) will play a key role in the growth of Synova in the Middle Eastern region and especially in the diamond industry. As revolutionary innovations are always met with scepticism, the aim of this new facility is to demonstrate the capabilities of our DaVinci system. Potential customers will be able to assess the effectiveness of our technology and evaluate the benefits it could bring to their own manufacturing.”

Dubai boasts direct flights to other major diamond hubs across the world, including mining countries in Africa, traders in Israel and manufacturing centres in India, resulting in a connected supply chain with Dubai at its centre. Additionally, Dubai is home to the two Kimberley Process (KP) offices in the UAE, making the emirate the only entry point for rough diamonds in the country.

In line with its mandate to attract, facilitate and drive new trade flows through Dubai, DMCC has played a vital role in establishing the emirate as a leading global hub for the diamond trade. DMCC’s Dubai Diamond Exchange is the largest diamond tender facility in the world and home to over 1,150 diamond companies, providing members and industry professionals with state-of-the-art infrastructure, facilities and services to trade with confidence.