PR88835

FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich., April 2, 2021 /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/ --

- Aramco Americas becomes founding member of US-based innovation hub

- New center aims to achieve more sustainable building solutions through

advances in nonmetallic technologies

Aramco and the American Concrete Institute (ACI) announce the launch of NEx: A

Center of Excellence for Nonmetallic Building Materials to develop and promote

the use of nonmetallic materials in the building and construction sector.  

Based at ACI World Headquarters in Farmington Hills, Michigan, USA, NEx will

focus on accelerating the use of nonmetallic materials and products in

construction, leveraging ACI'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.

"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. "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."

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, the American Concrete Institute 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.

"Our founding member, Aramco, aligns with our vision to effectively meet the

demands of a changing world by setting standards for the development and

adoption of nonmetallic materials in building and construction," added Mr.

Coleman. "ACI is pleased to have Aramco's support in leading this dialogue with

industry stakeholders around the world."

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.

To learn more about how NEx is advancing nonmetallics and to get involved,

visit https://www.nonmetallic.org.

About Aramco

Aramco is a global integrated energy and chemicals company. We are driven by

the core belief that energy is opportunity. From producing approximately one in

every eight barrels of the world's oil supply to developing new energy

technologies, our global team is dedicated to creating impact in all that we

do. We focus on making our resources more dependable, more sustainable and more

useful. This helps promote stability and long-term growth around the world.

https://www.aramco.com

About Aramco Americas

Aramco Services Company (d/b/a Aramco Americas) is the U.S.-based subsidiary of

Aramco, a world leader in integrated energy and chemicals, and has had a

presence in the U.S. for more than 60 years. Aramco Americas is a contributor

to the U.S. energy sector through research and development, venture fund

activities, asset ownership, as well as technology and digital transformation.

The company is headquartered in Houston, and maintains offices in New York,

Washington D.C., Boston, and Detroit. Aramco Americas is committed to being a

positive contributor in the communities where its employees live and work, and

to making a difference through outreach that benefits the arts, geosciences,

education and the environment. americas.aramco.com

About ACI

Always advancing – the American Concrete Institute is a leading global

authority for the development, dissemination, and adoption of its

consensus-based standards, technical resources, and educational, training and

certification programs. Founded in 1904, ACI is headquartered in Farmington

Hills, Michigan, USA, with a regional office in Dubai, UAE, and a resource

center in Southern California. https://www.concrete.org

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SOURCE: Saudi Aramco