UAE-Based Entities Enter Landmark Partnership Agreement To Develop Highly Sustainable GIM Concrete

UAE-based entities Tadweer, the Ministry of Energy Infrastructure, Masdar City and GIGA Graphene Technologies (GGT), have entered a partnership agreement to develop Graphene Innovations Manchester's (GIM) GIM Concrete in the country.

GIM Concrete is a highly sustainable product created with the help of recycled waste, highlighting the impact and significance of the circular economy. Besides being made with recycled plastic, it also cures quickly and does not require fresh water. Therefore, it helps reduce CO2 emissions.

The partnership agreement was signed by Ali Al Dhaheri, managing director and CEO of Tadweer; Sharif Al Olama, undersecretary for energy and petroleum affairs of the Ministry of Energy Infrastructure; Mohamed Al Breiki, executive director of sustainable development of Masdar City and Waleed Al Ali, chairman of GGT.

Al Olama explained that the agreement "symbolizes how various stakeholders can work together to address the challenges we are facing today when it comes to climate change." He also said it is "an excellent example of not only addressing the challenge but rather coming up with a commercially and economically viable solution," WAM reported.

Edward Hobart, U.K. ambassador to the UAE, appreciated the U.K.-UAE collaboration that will develop Manchester Graphene innovation on a big scale to decarbonize a relevant sector not only in the UAE but also in the Global South.

Al Dhaheri, on the other hand, said Tadweer, an Abu Dhabi waste management company, is proud to work with like-minded organizations like 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 help drive forward our vision of becoming Abu Dhabi's waste management champion, and a global industry player," he added.

Al Breiki pointed out that the demand for green materials is growing, but the wide-scale adoption is limited. He noted that working together will help "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 the circular economy."

Al Ali called this partnership a "major milestone" for renewable energy company Masdar, as it aims to take Sustainable GIM Concrete across the Middle Eastern country.

Vivek Koncherry, managing director of GGT and CEO of GIM, said, "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."

Construction demolitions are responsible for 30% of the total waste. By 2050, 3.5 billion tons of waste are expected to be generated every year.