Abu Dhabi, Partanna Join Hands To Decarbonize $400 Billion Global Cement Industry

Partanna, a climate tech company from the Bahamas, partnered with the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) to set up its regional headquarters and a high-tech manufacturing facility in Abu Dhabi to decarbonize the $400 billion global cement industry.

"At the core of Abu Dhabi's economic transformation lies innovation. Through strategic partnerships with pioneering companies like Partanna, we are demonstrating that economic growth and environmental responsibility are not mutually exclusive," ADIO Director General Badr Al-Olama was quoted as saying by WAM.

"This collaboration is a testament to our unwavering commitment to shaping the industries of future, and to accelerating industrial innovation," he added.

Announced during the Abu Dhabi Business Week (ADBW), the partnership will open new opportunities for global sustainability. Partanna plans to set up large-scale manufacturing operations in Abu Dhabi to serve the regional market.

The company will also produce Verra-certified carbon credits, supporting carbon emission reductions in line with Abu Dhabi's climate goals.

Cement production is responsible for nearly 9% of global carbon dioxide emissions, with traditional manufacturing methods being major contributors to climate change.

Partanna offers an innovative and scalable solution by rethinking cement production. Instead of using carbon-intensive clinkering, Partanna uses magnesium compounds from brine, a by-product of desalination.

This process turns waste into a valuable resource while producing a cost-competitive product. Partanna's new facility in Abu Dhabi will convert waste brine into carbon-negative cement. This process not only neutralizes emissions but also actively removes CO₂ from the atmosphere, making concrete a carbon sink.

Partanna cement meets international building standards and is compatible with reinforced steel. It also shows improved strength in saltwater conditions. The Abu Dhabi facility will produce up to 3 million tons of Partanna binder annually, which is about 10% of the UAE's cement market.

This will set the foundation for expansion in the region and beyond. The output from this facility will have the same positive carbon impact as the Borneo Rainforest, offsetting approximately 7.98 million metric tonnes of CO₂ annually.

Rick Fox, Co-Founder and CEO of Partanna, said that throughout history, great civilizations have been built with great materials. He emphasized that Partanna is taking in a new era of cement and sees Abu Dhabi as the perfect place to expand the business globally.

Fox highlighted that this project is not just about building a factory but creating a sustainable future. With the support of ADIO, Partanna aims to develop a plan for global expansion and demonstrate that sustainable construction is both possible and profitable.