On Tuesday, Saudi Aramco and China Building Materials Academy (CBMA) launched Nexcel, a new non-metallic excellence and innovation centre, based in Beijing, to further advance the use of non-metallic materials in the building and construction sector.
Nexcel will leverage CBMA’s expertise and resources to promote the development and application of non-metallic technologies that have lifecycle cost, efficiency and environmental advantages over their metal alternatives.
“We are excited to be part of this important initiative with China Building Materials Academy, to jointly advance the use of non-metallics in building and construction in China,” said Ahmad A. Al-Sa’adi, senior vice president of technical services at Aramco.
“At Aramco, we have been developing and deploying non-metallic solutions within our own operations for more than 20 years as they offer superior lifecycle cost, efficiency and environmental advantages over their metal alternatives. Given the advantages of non-metallics, we believe that this new centre of excellence for non-metallic building materials will catalyse a wide range of exciting new opportunities,” he continued.
Nexcel will promote the development and application of non-metallic technologies by exploring opportunities for joint projects in research, standards development and adoption, professional development and certifications, advocacy and international outreach.
The centre will also create a global collaboration platform to expand and accelerate the use of non-metallic materials to improve sustainability, contribute to a lower carbon footprint, and enhance the durability and longevity of structures.
“It is my honour to witness this historic strategic cooperation with Aramco. The partnership represents our long-term collaboration and mutual trust, and it is also an important measure to build green, low carbon solutions. As an important platform for China National Building Material Group’s (CNBM) technological innovation, CBMA is the largest and strongest research centre in the field of non-metallic in China,” said Zhan Yanjing, vice president of CNBM.
“CBMA will provide great support to Nexcel, and create an open and innovative environment, helping Nexcel make greater contributions to global sustainable development,” he added.
Last August – at the fifth China-Arab States Expo in northwest China’s Ningxia Hui autonomous region and as part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative – Arab-China economic ties received a $24 billion boost, with deals agreed to pour investment into technology, tourism and renewables.
A total of 277 deals were struck, with $23.7bn pooled towards 199 projects, along with 24 trade projects worth $423 million with Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea integrated smart energy investment project among the projects that will receive Chinese money pledged at the event.
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