The Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), Saudi Aramco Technologies Company (AramcoTech) and TWI Ltd (TWI) officially opened the Non-metallic Innovation Center (NIC) on September 9, 2019. The NIC is a research center focused on innovation and advancing the use of non-metallic industrial applications, and is located in Cambridge in the United Kingdom.
The center will develop state-of-the-art technologies for new non-metallic solutions and demonstrates how ADNOC, through innovative partnerships, is leveraging the power of technology to enhance efficiencies and unlock greater value as it delivers its 2030 smart growth strategy. The NIC partnership will also help create potential new upstream and downstream market opportunities and open doors to new markets for ADNOC as it looks to maximize the potential of its resources across its entire value chain.
Dr. Alan Nelson, ADNOC Chief Technology Officer, said: “Non-metallic solutions are continuing to reshape industries around the world. From cost-efficient and durable pipelines to lightweight car designs, this technology has abundant science and engineering uses. In line with our Oil & Gas 4.0 mission, ADNOC is dedicated to leading and advancing this technology.
“Accelerating growth in new non-metallic applications also creates new markets for crude and refined products for ADNOC. We are excited to partner with TWI and AramcoTech to help drive cutting-edge non-metallic solutions for the oil and gas industry and beyond.” Non-metallics combine the benefits of several materials as they are corrosion-resistant, lightweight, and durable. They are increasingly deployed across multiple industries, including oil and gas, and construction.
Ahmad O. Al-Khowaiter, Saudi Aramco Chief Technology Officer, said: “We are delighted to be part of this important initiative. The industry is waking up to the benefits of non-metallic materials for numerous applications. The NIC will promote the utilization of advanced polymeric materials by conducting research that addresses challenges in their development and implementation. This initiative is part of Saudi Aramco’s efforts to leverage its extensive hydrocarbon resources and technology development capabilities to deliver solutions that meet future energy needs in a sustainable way.”
Dr. Mihalis Kazilas, NIC Programme Director, said: “By bringing together TWI, AramcoTech, and ADNOC to set up NIC, we can be assured of producing industry-led research, for the complete supply chain from R&D to production. NIC combines academia and industry so that there is a continuous chain between universities producing high-level research and industries that require academic-level analysis for real-world applications.”
ADNOC’s partnership to establish the NIC further builds on its strong portfolio of research centers. In addition to the NIC, ADNOC currently has three centers in Abu Dhabi and one in Shanghai, which focus on upstream and downstream related research.
NIC is a part of the Private Technology Innovation Partnerships (PTIPs) initiative at TWI, working to address technology priorities, fostering open innovation and commercialization of technology with sponsors and supply chain. The center conducts a research program that covers Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) 1-9, with partners being drawn from leading academic institutions, research centers, and composite material manufacturers.
