China partnership expands innovation in advanced materials

Through its ambitious development programs, China is opening the door for large scale innovation across multiple key sectors. At Aramco, we see numerous opportunities to contribute – whether in our role as a trusted supplier of energy, through our expanding chemicals business, our groundbreaking research and development with Chinese partners, or our focus on emission-reduction solutions and low-carbon fuels.

Now, by joining forces with the China Building Materials Academy (CBMA), in Beijing, we are also expanding our focus on the construction sector – and the progress that can be achieved through advanced non-metallic materials. Our new Non-metallic Excellence and Innovation Center for Building Materials, NEXCEL, will help us to drive research and develop more advanced products for the sector, widening our pool of knowledge and supporting China’s infrastructure development agenda.

The reason is simple: we believe there is a strong argument for replacing traditional materials in the building and construction sector with non-metallic products, which are derived from oil. That is why we are forging partnerships around the world to develop a diverse range of new materials, which present an amazing opportunity to enhance performance, be more sustainable and achieve cost-savings.

A growing field

When properly designed, the advanced non-metallic materials created from petrochemicals are a more sustainable alternative to conventional materials like concrete and steel. They can also help ease pressure on vital groundwater reserves, since polymer-based concrete does not need to be mixed and cured using freshwater.  

In addition, there are also performance benefits. The superior attributes of non-metallics prolong the lifespan of infrastructure and buildings, and improve the durability of highways. And unlike traditional steel, polymer rebar used to reinforce concrete is resistant to corrosion – which costs the global economy more than US$2 trillion every year.

The superior attributes of non-metallics prolong the lifespan of infrastructure and buildings

We foresee growing enthusiasm for non-metallic alternatives to conventional materials, and Europe’s building and construction sector already consumes an estimated 10 million tons of plastics each year, approximately 20 per cent of Europe’s total plastics consumption — and second only to the packaging industry. This share continues to grow.

The Chinese market is clearly important, as the country expands into making more complex and higher-value goods - both for export and its home market. It is a dynamic country that has made remarkable technological advances in developing non-metallic materials for use in construction and housing.

Our partnership with CBMA aims to tap into its understanding of China’s current progress on non-metallics in the building and construction sector, and also to share information as we make our own technological advances in this field.

China – a strategic collaboration

Choosing the right partner is vital. The CBMA has 16 research institutes in building materials, including in non-metallics, and is a high-caliber collaborator. Founded in 1950 and affiliated to the China National Building Material Group (CNBM), it has a network of world-class laboratories, testing and certification centers.

Through joint working groups, we will explore two key areas. First, how we can overcome barriers to the adoption of non-metallics, some of which can be attributed to pre-conceived ideas. Secondly, we want to promote their use: whether polymers in asphalt and soil, non-metallic pipes and manhole covers, or composites for architectural facades.

Confidence in any new product is vital if it is to be adopted, so we must also establish rigorous standards for all the materials and products we develop. The CBMA has standardisation committees that will provide technical support. Over the years, it has completed more than 3,200 national and ministerial-level key research projects.

Confidence in any new product is vital if it is to be adopted, so we must establish rigorous standards for all the materials and products we develop

Global partnerships

At Aramco, we believe in the power of partnerships. Our collaboration with CBMA is similar to one we have with the American Concrete Institute (ACI), with whom we established the Center of Excellence for Non-Metallic Building Materials (NEx). Both partnerships focus on accelerating the use of non-metallic materials and products in construction, driving research, education, awareness and the adoption of new technologies.

Similarly, with The Welding Institute and the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, we founded the Non-Metallic Innovation Centre in Cambridge, U.K., in 2018, with a focus on non-metallic solutions for the oil and gas sector. It can test and catalyze products with the right advanced properties and, importantly, work with customers on their own technical priorities.

And we are consolidating our leadership in the use of non-metallic materials in our industry, where we are reducing corrosion, weight, and the cost of construction and operation. In addition to the oil and gas, and the building and construction sectors, we have also established links with a range of companies and institutions that will help tap powerful potential applications in the packaging, automotive and renewables industries.

In fact, we have more than 40 collaborations in non-metallics in North America, Europe and Saudi Arabia, and this latest partnership adds China to the mix. By strategically linking with other companies and organizations, we can gather and leverage knowledge to help accelerate the use of non-metallic materials in global business. Our new collaboration with CBMA is one more important step on this exciting journey.