Arab News, Saturday, Apr 3, 2021 | Shaaban 20, 1442
Aramco and American Concrete Institute launch nonmetallic building materials center
Saudi Arabia:
Saudi Aramco and the American Concrete Institute (ACI) will launch the Center of
Excellence for Nonmetallic Building Materials (NEx), to develop and promote the
use of nonmetallic materials in the construction sector, the companies said.
The center will be based at the ACI world headquarters in the United States.
The center will leverage ACI’s role as an authority and resource for the
development, dissemination, and adoption of consensus-based standards for
concrete design, construction, and materials.
Aramco has been developing and deploying nonmetallic solutions within its
operations for more than 20 years, as they can offer superior lifecycle cost,
efficiency and environmental advantages over their metal alternatives, said
Ahmad Al-Sa’adi, Aramco SVP of technical services.
However, the potential for using nonmetallic advanced polymeric materials goes
beyond the oil and gas sector, he said.
“The center’s mission will be to collaborate globally on using nonmetallic
materials in the built environment by driving research, education, awareness and
technology adoption,” said Jeffrey W. Coleman, ACI president.
The initiative with ACI is part of Aramco’s broader strategy to enter new
markets, and to leverage its hydrocarbon resources and technology to deliver
advanced polymeric materials solutions across industries.