Aramco, American Concrete Institute launch new center of excellence for nonmetallics

Aramco and the American Concrete Institute (ACI) announced, on April 1, the launch of the Center of Excellence for Nonmetallic Building Materials (NEx) to develop the use of nonmetallic materials in the building and construction sector, according to Aramco's statement to Argaam.

The center, located at ACI headquarters in Farmington Hills, will focus on accelerating the use of nonmetallic materials and products in construction, boosting the institute's role as a world-leading authority and resource for the development, dissemination, and adoption of consensus-based standards for concrete design, construction, and materials.

Jeffrey W. Coleman, ACI President, 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.

"Expanding incorporation of nonmetallic materials and products in the built environment will improve sustainability, contribute to a lower carbon footprint, and enhance the durability and longevity of structures," he noted.

Commenting on the launch of NEx, Aramco Senior Vice President of Technical Services, Ahmad Al-Sa'adi, said: "Aramco has been developing and deploying nonmetallic solutions within our own operations for more than 20 years as they offer superior lifecycle cost, efficiency and environmental advantages over their metal alternatives."

He added: "The potential for using nonmetallic advanced polymetric materials, however, goes way beyond the oil and gas sector and includes the building and construction industries where there is significant potential. That is why this new Center of Excellence for Nonmetallic Building Materials offers enormous and exciting opportunities."

Aramco is already a leader in the use of nonmetallic materials in oil and gas facilities to reduce corrosion, weight and the cost of construction and operation. This initiative with ACI is part of the company's broader strategy to enter new markets, leveraging its hydrocarbon resources and technology to deliver advanced polymeric materials solutions across industries.

Nonmetallic materials are increasingly being deployed across multiple industries, including oil and gas, construction, automotive, packaging and renewables. They offer several advantages over metallic materials, such as corrosion-resistance, reduced weight, increased durability, lower cost, and improved environmental efficiency.

Over the past four decades, ACI has been convening the industry's brightest minds to advance nonmetallic technologies. With numerous published guides, reports, and specifications on nonmetallics in concrete, including fiber-reinforced polymers and fiber reinforced concrete, NEx will serve as a catalyst to incorporate more than 40 years of knowledge into the further acceleration of nonmetallic materials and technology.

The center plans to expand its scope to include the use of nonmetallics in other construction materials, such as composite cladding, asphalt, and soil. The center looks to draw additional partners from leading academic institutions, industries, technical societies, standard bodies, manufacturers, and professionals.