Cannon Artes is constructing an advanced wastewater treatment and water reuse plant within one of the largest petrochemical complexes in the Middle East.

The facility, designed to support the water recovery requirements of a major polyolefin plant in Qatar, will process up to 25,000 cubic metres of effluent and cooling-tower-blow-down water daily. With a recovery capacity of 780 cubic metres per hour, the plant significantly reduces discharge rates, achieving nearly 80% water reuse.

This far exceeds regulatory standards. The facility is part of a nearly US$2bn project to establish a new polyethylene plant. The plant, designed with two polymerisation units and an annual capacity of nearly 2 million tons, incorporates advanced membrane technologies to manage industrial wastewater and cooling water blowdown.

Industrial effluents are treated using Cannon Artes’ proprietary EmbioArt Membrane BioReactor (MBR), while cooling water blowdown is processed with ultrafiltration (UF) and reverse osmosis (RO) technologies. The facility has a total treatment capacity of approximately 1,000 cubic metres per hour.

The project also includes a 600 cubic metre-per-hour remineralisation plant, equipped with six advanced calcite filters. This system increases pH and reduces the corrosivity of recovered water, setting a new benchmark for industrial remineralisation technology.

Sustainable operations

The Qatar project highlights Cannon Artes’ capability to execute large-scale, complex contracts. The company handled every aspect, from process design to procurement, manufacturing, assembly, testing, and delivery. All components were customised to meet client specifications, integrating cutting-edge technologies like EmbioArt MBR, UF, and RO for maximum efficiency and environmental sustainability.

Construction commenced in August 2024, with infrastructure expected to be completed within six months by early 2025. Full mechanical completion is slated for Q4 2025, demonstrating an impressive timeline given the project's complexity.

With projects delivered in more than 80 countries, the company has provided customised solutions to industries including oil and gas, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, textiles, and food and beverage, solidifying its reputation for excellence in industrial water management.

“Cannon Artes was chosen as the supplier of choice earlier this year, due to our proven ability to deliver large-scale and complex industrial wastewater treatment solutions that meet the highest environmental and efficiency standards,” said Alessio Liati, sales director at Cannon Artes. “To give an idea of the project’s scale, the water treatment plant alone spans an area comparable to three football fields, with more than 1,600 reverse osmosis membranes, 360 ultrafiltration modules, and over 17,000 sqm of active MBR membrane surface.”

Mazoon Mining, a subsidiary of Minerals Development Oman (MDO), has officially commenced work on the Mazoon Copper Project.

The groundbreaking ceremony took place on 10 November in the Wilayat of Yanqul, Al Dhahirah Governorate, under the patronage of His Excellency Abdul Salam bin Mohammed Al-Murshidi, chairman of the Oman Investment Authority (OIA).

As the largest integrated copper concentrate production project in Oman, the Mazoon Copper Project spans 20 sq km and includes five open-pit mines with an estimated 22.9 million tons of copper ore reserves. The project is a critical step in addressing the surging global demand for copper, a key component in renewable energy technologies and electrical infrastructure.

A central feature of the project is the construction of a cutting-edge processing plant. Spanning 56,000 sqm, the facility will have the capacity to process 2.5 million tons of copper ore annually. It is expected to yield 115,000 tons of copper concentrate each year, with a high-grade purity of 21.5%.

Sustainable solutions

This ambitious venture underscores Oman’s commitment to strengthening its mining sector and diversifying its economy in line with its Vision 2040 goals. By leveraging its rich mineral resources and adopting state-of-the-art technology, Mazoon Mining aims to position the Sultanate as a competitive player in the global copper market.

Sustainability is a core pillar of the Mazoon Copper Project. The project has adopted a water recycling system and waste management systems to preserve the surrounding environment, safeguarding air quality, and protecting groundwater. Minerals Development Oman continues to advance its exploration campaigns across a range of strategic minerals, including copper, chromite, gypsum, limestone, dolomite, and silica.

Al Murshidi said, "This project marks a transformative step in positioning Oman as a strategic copper hub, contributing to the diversification of our national economy and creating sustainable job opportunities for Omanis. We are confident that the project will have a significant positive impact on the local community, supporting SMEs and driving economic development."

Dr. Badar bin Saud Al Kharusi, chairman of Minerals Development Oman, added, "We are proud to see the progress of Mazoon Copper Project after an extensive series of exploration activities. This project marks a milestone for Minerals Development Oman, adding invaluable assets to our portfolio. The company began copper ore extraction from Block 4 in Wilayat of Sohar in 2024 and has continued its exploration efforts across its 23,644 sq km concession area. With the necessary financing secured, the project reflects the trust garnered locally and globally. We are committed to ensuring each project phase meets the highest environmental and social standards."

The majority of signatories to the Oil & Gas Decarbonization Charter (OGDC) are on track to meet its goals, according to a progress report

The Oil & Gas Decarbonization Charter (OGDC) is one of the landmark initiatives launched at COP28, with objectives including net zero operations by 2050, and reduction of methane emissions to near zero and the elimination of flaring by 2030. 54 oil and gas companies - representing almost 45% of global oil production, have signed up to the Charter.

In the past 12 months, OGDC has established a governance framework and launched a survey to determine signatories’ emissions reduction ambitions and implementation plans to set a baseline to track future progress.

OGDC has also implemented a Collaborate & Share program to disseminate solutions, promote peer-to-peer collaboration and encourage the adoption of best practices to reduce emissions. The initiative has also attracted three new members, with Oil India Limited, PetroChina and Vår Energi joining.

“We are proud of the 54 companies that have already signed up to the Charter and are encouraged by the extent of their engagement in this first major piece of work that helps to establish a base on which to build future success,” said OGDC’s three CEO Champions and founding members – Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) CEO Sultan Al Jaber, Aramco CEO Amin Nasser and TotalEnergies chairman and CEO Patrick Pouyanné, in a joint statement.

Investing in future energies

According to the survey, most of the signatories are already investing in future energies, including renewable energy, energy storage, low-carbon fuels, hydrogen, methane abatement, carbon capture utilisation and storage (CCUS) and carbon removals technologies, and plan to increase investments.

Bjorn Otto Sverdrup, the head of the OGDC Secretariat said: “A survey of oil and gas industry climate performance has never been attempted on this scale. Participants ranged from companies that pioneered decarbonisation decades ago to those still in the early phases – all with different capabilities and reporting methods. The lessons learned will be used to improve reporting visibility and data quality and to create more targeted programs.”

Over the next year, OGDC will focus on providing the resources and guidance the signatories need to reduce their GHG emissions, methane emissions and flaring. OGDC will also help signatories to shape their net-zero roadmaps and develop emissions reporting to ensure progress can be tracked and to demonstrate how collective action can deliver positive climate impact on a global scale.

Niftylift has unveiled ClipOn, a retrofittable safety device that offers access platform operators clear visual and audible cues to connect their harnesses before operating machinery.

Designed for Niftylift’s entire HeightRider range, ClipOn activates as soon as the key switch is turned on, alerting operators if they attempt to operate without securing their harness.

Red LED lights above connection points indicate an unfastened harness, and an alarm will sound if the operator tries to move the machine without proper attachment. Once the harness is secured, the LEDs turn green and the alarm ceases, ensuring a clear signal of safety compliance.

Reducing injuries

ClipOn’s visibility extends to ground teams with under-basket LEDs, signalling whether the operator is harnessed correctly, reinforcing safety protocols on-site.

The system integrates seamlessly into both new and existing Niftylift fleets and instals with ease using only three components—the control box, harness sensor, and light array. Its operation is intuitive, similar to seat belt alert systems in vehicles, making adoption straightforward for operators.

Effective safety protocols are essential, especially in high-risk sectors like working at height, where falls are a leading cause of workplace injuries.

Systems like ClipOn, with its simple yet powerful reminders, provide critical assurance for operators, managers, and site owners. ClipOn not only enhances safety but also simplifies inspection and compliance checks, offering a streamlined and unobtrusive safety solution that sets a new standard in access platform safety.

“Working at height inevitably involves risks, with falls being one of the most frequent causes of workplace injuries. That’s why ClipOn is crucial. Safety shouldn’t be complicated, and by ensuring every operator is securely harnessed before operating the machine, we’re making a simple but significant move towards eliminating the risk of falls from height,” said John Keely, managing director at Niftylift.

Caterpillar has updated several of its GC hammers, turning them into more durable and high-performance pieces of equipment

The versatile GC hammers are designed with large hammer tool diameters and deliver high-impact power in order to quickly break through tough materials encountered in a range of application such as road construction, trenching and demolition. The updated Cat H130 GC, H140 GC, H160 GC and H180 GC hammers feature powerful hydraulics and quick access to maintenance areas to increase productivity, improve uptime and reduce costs, according to Cat.

“Earlier this year, we updated the H110 GC and H120 GC models, and they have been well received by our customers,” explained Tom Munch, senior product consultant. “Expanding these feature upgrades to the H130 GC through H180 GC models gives customers a full range of durable and reliable hammer work tool solutions fully validated and matched to machines from the 10- to 55-ton class sizes.”

Durable, effective and easy to maintain

To increase production and efficiency at the jobsite, Cat has aimed to combine power with fast impact frequencies. The new hammers have large tool diameters from 155-185 mm and have high impact power.

Moreover, durability is ensured through the standard high-vibration adapter alongside power cells made of high-quality alloy steel enabling a two-stage heat treatment process. Hydraulic components are also shielded from damage by heavy-duty side places to boost reliability.

Besides durability, Cat has also taken pains to improve and simplify the way maintenance is performed on the equipment. With quick and easy access to maintenance areas already hallmarks throughout the GC hammer line, the new models now feature a slip-fit and 90-degree rotatable lower brushing for easy replacement in the field. These help to reduce service time and extend service life.

Daily tool inspection and grease points are accessible from ground level with the hammer mounted on the machine. According to Cat, this enhances safety and reduces the time for routine maintenance. Finally, reinforced connecting hardware and easy bolt tightening help to provide strong, durable joints to extend the hammer life.

Cat has also made headlines recently for introducing its new Dynamic Energy Transfer solution the can transfer energy to both diesel-electric and battery-electric large mining trucks while they are operating. Learn more in the recent issue of African Review available now.

Addressing the issue of rework requires first understanding its root causes. One of the most obvious causes is the size of the project. The bigger the project, the more complicated and challenging it becomes to manage consistency in design and material supply.

Take natural stone, for example, which plays a central role in many of the destination-scale projects in the region. As a natural product, stone has significant variability, making it essential to source the right material to achieve the desired look and durability. As a public-facing product, natural stone requires consistency in appearance and installation.

However, unlike carpet or concrete, its quality as a finished material does not allow for quick fixes. If a mistake is made at the point of production, there are only two options: either to re-source and replace it, which is often costly, or to live with a product that doesn’t reflect the original vision.

Handling a modest volume of natural stone in this way may be straightforward, but overseeing a supply large enough to cover 100 football fields—as is often the case with large-scale projects in the Middle East—is an entirely different matter. Due to the sheer size and complex supply chain of these projects, even minor quality issues can spiral into significant schedule delays and cost overruns.

Cutting rework

Asset owners, who juggle numerous issues simultaneously, often have limited time and resources at their disposal, with little to none dedicated to managing the specific aspects of a project involving stone.

The solution is to engage Stone Project Management Consultants (SPMCs). They serve as trusted partners to asset owners, leveraging their expertise to provide oversight and guidance throughout the entire process, from design to delivery.

From the outset, SPMCs collaborate with architects and designers to identify the best material type that aligns with the project’s vision, design, and budget. They assess quarries within the international stone market, evaluating physical properties like tensile strength and density, and ensuring the availability of high-quality stone. They also screen suppliers to confirm they have the necessary technical credentials and ESG standards for successful project delivery.

In essence, SPMCs work as part of the client team and act as unbiased expert advisors on behalf of the asset owner to oversee the entire procurement and supply chain process.

By implementing standardised quality control and placing engineers and supervisors on-site, SPMCs also manage the entire production process of natural stone on behalf of the asset owners, from quarrying and sample testing to transportation, delivery, dry lay and installation.

This project governance model minimises rework by ensuring materials meet quality standards before shipping. The process also reduces unnecessary quarrying, waste, and energy consumption during production and transportation, supporting the ESG goals of asset owners.

Ultimately, the model prevents project delays and budget overruns, helping asset owners save both time and money.

Versatile International’s ongoing collaboration with Saudi Arabia’s Diriyah Company is a prime example. As the region’s first SPMC, we have partnered with Diriyah on over 50 projects involving natural stone within their US$66bn cultural heritage district. Acting as trusted advisors to Diriyah, we bring our specialised expertise and global network to ensure consistency and quality control throughout the process. By doing so, we have brought the asset owner closer to the point of production, delivering projects with punctuality and precision while minimising the cost of rework.

This article is written by Wajdi Marroun, managing director of Versatile International, a stone project management consultancy. It has been edited for brevity.

The construction industry is moving away from traditional diesel engines toward greener power solutions.

The upcoming edition of bauma, scheduled for 7-13 April 2025, will once again place a spotlight on alternative drive technologies.

Many major players in construction machinery are already committed to decarbonisation. For instance, the Volvo Group has announced that by 2040, it will only deliver fossil-free vehicles. Strabag SE, one of Europe’s largest construction firms, also plans to achieve full climate neutrality by 2040, encompassing the operation of all its construction machinery.

Electric motors are now firmly established as a sustainable drive option for construction equipment. At previous bauma events, exhibitors showcased electric-powered excavators, wheel loaders, rollers, dumpers, and vibratory plates as part of their expanding eco-friendly portfolios. This trend is poised for significant growth: research firm IDTechEx projects that the global market for electric construction machinery could reach US$105bn by 2042.

“Battery electric systems are still primarily suitable for compact machines. Their daily energy and power requirements can be covered by an electric motor and a moderately sized lithium-ion battery in conjunction with a well-defined charging strategy,” says Timo Feuerbach, technical expert for construction machinery and building material machines at the German Mechanical Engineering Industry Asso-ciation (VDMA).

The Bobcat RogueX2 concept loader belongs in this category as a current and pioneering example. The all-electric machine not only operates with zero local emissions, but is also fully autonomous, according to the manufactur-er’s specifications. This year, it received the prestigious Red Dot Design Award in the “Design Concept” category.

HVO as an alternative fuel

It is clear that openness to technology is required for drives that are as climate-neutral as possible across the entire spectrum of the construction industry. For example, a life cycle analysis commissioned by the Liebherr Group came to the conclusion that operating mobile cranes with hydrogenated vegetable oil (HVO) promises the greatest potential for reducing greenhouse gases. Other fuel alterna-tives that can contribute to decarbonizing construction sites are biodiesel, biogas and e-fuels.

Companies and research institutes are also focusing on developing and testing hydrogen powered construction machinery. The Liebherr Components product segment presented prototypes of two hydrogen combustion engines at bauma 2022, and series production was announced for 2025. The industry is also explor-ing potential applications for fuel cells. For example, General Motors and the con-struction machinery manufacturer Komatsu are working together on a hydrogen fuel cell module for an electric dump truck. Komatsu has also developed a medi-um-sized hydraulic excavator with a hydrogen fuel cell system as a concept machine.

Expanding on the foundation set by Volvo Penta’s initial investment in 2023, Utility Innovation Group (UIG) is set to amplify its expertise to address the rising demand for adaptable, sustainable electric grid infrastructure.

“This follow-on investment in UtilityInnovation Group reflects our commitment to advancing reliable and efficient electrified power solutions as part of our broader net-zero ambitions,” said Anna Müller, president of Volvo Penta.

UIG’s expertise in data centre power solutions and the evolving grid landscape is further enhanced by the integration of Volvo Penta’s robust BESS subsystems. This collaboration addresses the demand for resilient energy solutions by combining Volvo Group’s advanced technology and global reach with UIG’s deep integration capabilities.

Together, they aim to deliver larger, innovative energy developments for clients, including utilities, data centres, and high-energy users worldwide.

Optimisation technique

The investment also supports the development and commercialisation of UIG’s Energy Storage for Resiliency (ESR) platform, a solution intended to bolster power stability and ease the energy demands of intensive data centres reliant on AI and machine learning, as well as optimise large microgrids.

Additionally, UIG’s GridSure platform leverages data-driven insights and cyber-secure management tools to oversee grid capacity, improve system resilience, and monitor infrastructure comprehensively, ensuring stable and efficient grid operations.

“The investment in UtilityInnovation Group highlights the potential we see in our BESS subsystems for high energy demand sectors,” said Hannes Norrgren, president of Volvo Penta’s Industrial Business. "Entrepreneurial companies like them bring specialised expertise that enhances our capabilities to meet future demands and accelerate time-to-market with pioneering solutions.”

Sidney Hinton, founder and CEO of UIG, added, “We are thrilled to deepen our partnership with Volvo Penta. Their global reach and commitment to sustainability make them an ideal partner as we work to address the critical challenges facing the energy sector today.”

Volvo Penta’s investment in UtilityInnovation Group reinforces its commitment to advancing the global energy transition and highlights its focus on creating sustainable, resilient energy solutions for the future. This transaction does not significantly impact Volvo Group’s financial results or overall financial position.

Caterpillar Safety Services has introduced "MindShift for Leaders," a five-session training programme aimed at equipping leaders with the principles of human and organisational performance (HOP) to drive safer workplaces.

Designed as a virtual series, the sessions guide participants to rethink and adjust their approaches to leading and managing safety, encouraging a shift in mindset toward more resilient safety cultures.

"MindShift for Leaders" moves beyond traditional safety management methods, which often rely on policies and processes based on managerial assumptions rather than on the realities of how work is actually performed. The programme leverages HOP principles as a foundation to build error-tolerant systems, fostering open discussions around safety and supporting organisations in creating adaptive safety cultures that account for human variability and build resilience.

“Expecting perfection from workers is not realistic, and traditional methods of managing safety do not account for factors that can disrupt a system. A human and organisational performance mindset does not manage the incident itself but assists organisations with building more error-tolerant safety systems that allow people to stay safe, even when they make a mistake," said Zach Knoop, manager at Caterpillar Safety Services.

Five HOP principles

Human and Organisational Performance (HOP) promotes a mindset built on understanding human behaviour, communication, and responses in the workplace. Rather than following a strict process, it encourages organisations to create error-tolerant systems that drive learning and improvement without focusing on blame.

Caterpillar Safety Services’ “MindShift for Leaders” programme comprises five 90-minute virtual sessions, each centred around core HOP principles. The programme teaches that errors are inevitable and that protecting workers means designing systems that can withstand mistakes. Rather than assigning blame, the focus shifts to identifying and addressing organisational weaknesses that contribute to incidents. HOP also highlights that behaviours are driven by context; understanding the environment in which actions occur can reveal the real drivers behind decisions. Leaders are encouraged to create a culture of learning by valuing insights from workers who are closest to the job, promoting a flow of ideas that can prevent incidents and improve practices. Finally, the way leaders respond to mistakes has a profound impact on team morale, and the programme instills the importance of empathy and emotional intelligence in leadership.

“MindShift for Leaders” aligns with Caterpillar Safety Services' vision of a Resilient Safety Culture, underpinned by the principles of Mindset, System, Ownership, and Leadership, providing leaders with tools to foster safer, more resilient workplaces.