Saudi Aramco, TWI, ADNOC open Innovation Center in UK

Saudi Aramco Technologies Company (AramcoTech), and the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) have opened the Nonmetallic Innovation Center (NIC) — a research center focused on innovation and advancing the use of nonmetallic industrial applications, Saudi Aramco said on its website.

“The launch of NIC will play an important role in advancing nonmetallic solutions across industries. The center is based at TWI in Cambridge and will develop technologies for new nonmetallic pipeline solutions,” the oil giant added.

Nonmetallics are increasingly deployed across multiple industries including oil and gas, construction, automotive, packaging and renewable. They combine several benefits as they are corrosion-resistant, lightweight and durable.

“Nonmetallic materials, especially in the oil and gas industry, are key to maintaining the integrity and safe and reliable operation of our facilities and providing protection from corrosion damage,” said Ahmad O. Al-Khowaiter, chief technology officer with Saudi Aramco.

Al-Khowaiter told attendees at the inauguration that the cost of corrosion across all sectors worldwide was estimated the costs due to maintenance, repairs, and shutdowns are approximately $2.5 trillion.