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UAE energy leaders in deal to develop sustainable Graphene concrete

12/19/2023

Tadweer, the Ministry of Energy Infrastructure (MoEI), Masdar City and GIGA Graphene Technologies (GGT) have entered into a landmark partnership agreement to develop Graphene Innovations Manchester’s (GIM) GIM Concrete in the UAE.

The agreement to produce this highly sustainable product using recycled waste, was signed by Mr. Sharif Al Olama, Undersecretary for Energy and Petroleum Affairs, MoEI, Eng. Ali Al Dhaheri, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Tadweer, and Eng. Mohamed Al Breiki, the Executive Director of Sustainable Development of Masdar City, and Mr. Waleed Al Ali, Chairman of GGT.

GIM Concrete is enhanced by graphene and was developed by GIM, a spinout from the University of Manchester and a GGT partner. In addition to graphene, GIM Concrete is made with recycled plastic, cures quickly, and does not require fresh water dramatically reducing CO2 emissions. The initial products the GIM Concrete will be used for include bricks, pavers and tiles within the UAE’s construction industry.

“Tadweer is proud to work with like-minded organizations, including GGT and GIM, to drive positive change and highlight the power of the circular economy. This agreement represents a key opportunity for our company to highlight waste as a valuable resource locally and internationally. Partnerships such as these helps drive forward our vision of becoming Abu Dhabi’s waste management champion, and a global industry player.” 
Ali Al Dhaheri, CEO – Tadweer

Mr. Al Olama said that “This MoU symbolizes how various stakeholders can work together to address the challenges we are facing today when it comes to climate change, this is an excellent example of not only addressing the challenge but rather coming up with a commercially and economically viable solution.”

Mr. Edward Hobart, the UK ambassador to the UAE said that “Great to see fruition of this exciting UK-UAE collaboration with key partners to develop Manchester Graphene innovation on a big scale to decarbonize such a relevant sector as the built environment not only in UAE but the Global South too.”

“The demand for green materials is growing, but wide-scale adoption has been limited. By working together, we can identify the enablers required to support the materials innovation and accelerate the use of eco-friendly materials to help reduce the negative impact on the environment in the context of circular economy,” stated Eng. Al Breiki.

Mr. Al Ali, highlighted that “This is a major milestone for our recently formed company, based in Masdar City, as we aim to take Sustainable GIM Concrete throughout the UAE. This is an important step towards using GIM developed technology to build a Graphene-based GIGA Factory in the UAE.”

Dr. Vivek Koncherry, Managing Director of GGT and CEO of GIM concluded that “We are proud to see the commercialization of our award-winning and groundbreaking graphene and AI-based solutions for sustainable applications that have been backed by decades of research undertaken in the United Kingdom.”

By 2050, 3.5 billion tons of waste is expected to be generated annually. Construction demolitions account for 30 percent of total waste. Tadweer has pioneered the concept of a circular economy and promoting waste as a valuable source among local and global communities. This, in turn, supports the use of GIM Concrete by using recycled waste to develop this highly sustainable, graphene-enhanced product.

 

UAE MoEI, Tadweer, Masdar City, and GIGA Graphene Technologies to develop sustainable GIM Concrete in UAE

12/19/2023

UAE - Tadweer, the Ministry of Energy & Infrastructure, Masdar City and GIGA Graphene Technologies (GGT) have entered into a landmark partnership agreement to develop Graphene Innovations Manchester’s (GIM) GIM Concrete in the UAE. This highly sustainable product is developed using recycled waste, showcasing the impact and importance of the circular economy.

The agreement was signed by His Excellency Sharif Al Olama, Undersecretary for Energy and Petroleum Affairs, Ministry of Energy & Infrastructure; Eng. Ali Al Dhaheri, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Tadweer; and Eng. Mohamed Al Breiki, the Executive Director of Sustainable Development of Masdar City. Waleed Al Ali, Chairman of GGT.

GIM Concrete is enhanced by graphene and was developed by GIM, a spinout from the University of Manchester and a GGT partner. In addition to graphene, GIM Concrete is made with recycled plastic, cures quickly, and does not require fresh water dramatically reducing CO2 emissions. The initial products the GIM Concrete will be used for include bricks, pavers and tiles within the UAE’s construction industry.

His Excellency Sharif Al Olama, Undersecretary for Energy and Petroleum Affairs, Ministry of Energy & Infrastructure, commented: “This MOU symbolises how various stakeholders can work together to address the challenges we are facing today when it comes to climate change, this is an excellent example of not only addressing the challenge but rather coming up with a commercially and economically viable solution.”

His Excellency Edward Hobart, the UK ambassador to the UAE said: “Great to see fruition of this exciting UK-UAE collaboration with key partners to develop Manchester Graphene innovation on a big scale to decarbonise such a relevant sector as the built environment not only in UAE but the Global South too.”

Eng. Ali Al Dhaheri, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Tadweer, added: “Tadweer is proud to work with like-minded organizations, including GGT and GIM, to drive positive change and highlight the power of the circular economy. This agreement represents a key opportunity for our company to highlight waste as a valuable resource locally and internationally. Partnerships such as these helps drive forward our vision of becoming Abu Dhabi’s waste management champion, and a global industry player.”

“The demand for green materials is growing, but wide-scale adoption has been limited,” said Eng. Mohamed Al Breiki, Masdar City’s Executive Director of Sustainable Development. “By working together, we can identify the enablers required to support the materials innovation and accelerate the use of eco-friendly materials to help reduce the negative impact on the environment in the context of circular economy.”

Waleed Al Ali, Chairman of GGT stated: “This is a major milestone for our recently formed company, based in Masdar City, as we aim to take Sustainable GIM Concrete throughout the UAE. This is an important step towards using GIM developed technology to build a Graphene-based GIGA Factory in the UAE.”

Dr. Vivek Koncherry, Managing Director of GGT and CEO of GIM concluded: “We are proud to see the commercialisation of our award-winning and groundbreaking graphene and AI-based solutions for sustainable applications that have been backed by decades of research undertaken in the United Kingdom.”

By 2050, 3.5 billion tonnes of waste is expected to be generated annually. Construction demolitions account for 30% of total waste. Tadweer has pioneered the concept of a circular economy and promoting waste as a valuable source among local and global communities. This, in turn, supports the use of GIM Concrete by using recycled waste to develop this highly sustainable, graphene-enhanced product.

About companies

Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure - Government of the UAE

Tadweer- Tadweer (Abu Dhabi Waste Management Company), part of ADQ, is the sole custodian of waste management for the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and is committed to developing an integrated waste management sector and becoming a leader in extracting value from waste to contribute to national sustainability ambitions.

Masdar City – A world-class hub for technology, innovation, and research and development, facilitating real-world solutions in clean energy, water efficiency, agri-tech, health, mobility, and AI. Masdar City is owned by Mubadala, the sovereign wealth fund of Abu Dhabi.

Graphene Innovations Manchester (GIM) – The UK based global leader in AI assisted, high speed development and commercialisation of graphene-based compounds and advanced manufacturing systems to enable customers to make high-performance and sustainable products.
GIGA Graphene Technologies (GGT) - The UAE graphene commercial applications development company based in Masdar City, Abu Dhabi.
For further information contact: info@gigagraphene.com 

Graphene spin-out wins The Spectator’s Innovator of the Year Award for Excellence in Sustainability

11/15/2023

In a momentous achievement for sustainable technology, Graphene Innovations Manchester Ltd (GIM), founded by University of Manchester Alumnus, Dr Vivek Koncherry, has won The Spectator’s Innovator of the Year Award for Excellence in Sustainability, presented in partnership with Investec. 

The prestigious award ceremony, held in London on November 9, recognised and celebrated outstanding British entrepreneurship, firmly establishing GIM as a leader in sustainability and innovation.

The Innovator of the Year Awards, hosted by The Spectator, have become a hallmark in the UK's business and investment communities, attracting a growing number of entries each year. The award was well deserving of GIM's groundbreaking work in harnessing the power of graphene to drive sustainability and economic viability.

Earlier this month, GIM, alongside Economic Innovator of the Year finalists, was featured in The Spectator's podcast. The episode delved into their expertise in manufacturing and engineering, with GIM's contributions highlighted from 27:30.

Graphene Innovations Manchester Ltd

GIM design graphene-based compounds and production systems that allow partners to commercialise graphene-enhanced products at scale, unlocking competitive advantage, sustainability, and cost reduction. Notably, GIM's work in developing graphene-enhanced concrete stands out as a game-changer for the construction industry, where concrete production contributes 8% of global CO2 emissions.

GIM Concrete, a pioneering product by the company, is a fusion of graphene, polymers, and additives. What makes it truly innovative is its manufacturing process, which eliminates 88% of CO2 emissions by abstain from the use of cement. Not only does it address environmental concerns, but GIM Concrete also boasts 4 times the compression strength of traditional concrete, is 30% lighter, and cures in a mere 2 to 4 hours, compared to the 28 days required for traditional concrete.

The company has also developed a sustainable waste upcycling platform, utilising graphene as an additive to transform ground waste tires and plastics. This approach allows for the creation of high-quality, durable products through traditional manufacturing processes, optimising both performance and sustainability.

Graphene Innovations Manchester Ltd was founded by Dr Vivek Koncherry, an alumnus, with their research and development centre located in The University of Manchester’s Graphene Engineering Innovations Centre (GEIC). 

Vivek expressed his delight saying: “We are honoured to receive the Excellence in Sustainability award and grateful for the supportive environment in Manchester's graphene ecosystem and the focus of The University of Manchester on this core area of social responsibility. This recognition exemplifies the collaborative efforts and transformative potential of graphene-based solutions. Personally, my time as a senior research fellow at The University of Manchester, combined with recognising the fundamental role of sustainability in the University’s ethos, inspired me to working with graphene and the GEIC.

"From first proposing a graphene suitcase idea to recycling car tires into graphene floor mats, the journey has been very transformative with exciting future developments now taking place. With this recognition, GIM eagerly anticipates continuing its innovative journey, contributing to a sustainable future, and inspiring others to leverage the graphene ecosystem for positive impact."

What is graphene, and its link to Manchester?

If you've ever used a pencil, you've unwittingly engaged with graphene. Discovered in 2004 by Manchester-based researchers, Professor Andre Geim and Professor Kostya Novoselov, graphene is a one-atom-thick, two-dimensional crystal. Their pioneering work in isolating graphene from graphite earned them the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2010. Today, Manchester known as the home of graphene, remains a hub for graphene research and applications, and GIM stands as a shining example of the city's continued contribution to groundbreaking technological advancements.

Dubai’s Metaverse Plan Targets 40,000 Virtual Jobs in Five Years

9/3/2023

Dubai is seeking to break into the world’s top 10 metaverse economies under a new strategy that envisions the sector supporting as many as 40,000 additional virtual jobs and adding $4 billion to the city’s GDP in five years. 

The government aims to develop global standards in building safe and secure platforms for users and develop infrastructure and regulations to accelerate the adoption of these technologies, state-run WAM news agency said.  

The plan, launched by Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, aims to support the government’s goal of increasing the number of blockchain companies by five times in five years. Dubai is already home to over 1,000 companies in the metaverse and blockchain sector, which contributes $500 million to the national economy, Sheikh Hamdan said.

“The strategy emphasizes fostering talent and investing in future capabilities by providing the necessary support in metaverse education aimed at developers, content creators and users of digital platforms in the metaverse community,” WAM said.  

The city’s biggest companies are already stepping into the metaverse. Emirates has said it will expand use of the technology, while Damac Group plans to build digital cities. Healthcare firm Thumbay will roll out the a hospital in the metaverse for virtual consultations over the next few months, Khaleej Times reported.

Etihad inks deal to support $1bn China-UAE industrial park project

9/3/2023

A strategic partnership has been established by Etihad Aviation Group and the Jiangsu Provincial Overseas Cooperation and Investment Company Limited (JOCIC) during Chinese President Xi Jinping’s three-day state visit to the UAE.

The parties plan to cooperate on a wide range of areas to support the development of the China-UAE Industrial Capacity Cooperation Demonstration Park in Khalifa Port, Abu Dhabi.

Under the agreement, Etihad will provide the companies investing in the China-UAE Industrial Park with preferred air transportation and cargo rates on the routes and services between China and other cities on Etihad Airways network.

Established in July 2017, with a 50-year agreement signed between Abu Dhabi Ports and JOCIC, the China-UAE Industrial Park has attracted investment agreements with 16 Chinese companies, totalling $1 billion.

The Chinese companies investing come from various sectors, including new energy sources, aluminum processing, machinery manufacturing, trade and logistics, metallurgy, building materials, chemicals, packaging, and food and beverages.

Under the agreement, EAG and JOCIC, the management company of the China-UAE Industrial Park, will also jointly explore marketing opportunities to promote the project.

In addition, Etihad will enjoy special rates on the products produced and manufactured by Chinese companies at the China-UAE Industrial Park.

Tony Douglas, Etihad Group CEO, said: “China is a strategically important market for Etihad. We feel extremely honoured to forge such a strategic partnership with JOCIC so as to serve the development of the China-UAE Industrial Capacity Cooperation Demonstration Park, and better foster the Chinese companies within the Industrial Park.”

“The partnership will demonstrate the long-standing commitment of Etihad, the national carrier of the United Arab Emirates, to acting as a bridge for economic and cultural exchanges between the UAE and China, as well as to strengthen the position of Abu Dhabi as an aviation hub to connect China with the economies along the Belt and Road Initiative by leveraging our strong global network.”

“This is only the beginning. We look forward to making more contributions to the project,” he added.Luo Hua, JOCIC chairman, said: “The China-UAE Industrial Capacity Cooperation Demonstration Park is a major project under the Belt and Road Initiative. It represents an important consensus reached by the leadership of China and the UAE to strengthen international industrial capacity cooperation between the two countries.

“We look forward to working closely with Etihad Aviation Group by leveraging its diversification of business, convenient network and innovation advantages to drive the continued success of the China-UAE Demonstration Park,” he added.

The China-UAE Industrial Capacity Cooperation Demonstration Park aims to become a major window and platform for China’s investment and trade cooperation with countries in the Middle East, Africa and Europe.Etihad Airways currently operates daily flights between Abu Dhabi and China’s four main gateways Beijing, Chengdu, Shanghai and Hong Kong.

EWEC, Tadweer invite bids for waste-to-energy project in Abu Dhabi

9/3/2023

July 20 (Renewables Now) - UAE utility Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC) and waste management authority Tadweer have issued a Request for Proposals (RfP) to companies interested in the development of a waste-to-energy project in Abu Dhabi.

A total of 109 companies and consortia have already expressed interest in the project which will convert municipal solid waste into electricity, EWEC said on Wednesday.

The pre-qualified companies are expected to submit their proposals by the end of 2022.

The waste-to-energy plant will be built near the Al Dhafra landfill with a capacity to process 900,000 tonnes of waste per year. It is expected to generate enough electricity to power up to 52,500 households and reduce carbon dioxide equivalent emissions by up to 1.1 million tonnes per year.

The selected developer will be responsible for the financing, construction, operation and maintenance of the waste-to-energy plant and will own up to 40% of it. The majority stake of 60% will be held indirectly by the Abu Dhabi government.

Commenting on the project, EWEC's chief executive Othman Al Ali said: "Finding innovative solutions to divert almost a million tonnes of waste per year from landfills is vital to reducing the impact of waste on the environment. This Waste-to-Energy facility will reduce carbon emissions that result from traditional waste management, while also supporting the UAE Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative.”

The UAE's first commercial-scale waste-to-energy plant went into operation in Sharjah in May. It generates 30 MW of energy and enables the city to raise its waste diversion rate to 100%.