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Energy

Volvo Penta has introduced the G17 natural gas engine, expanding its power generation portfolio with a solution designed to support fuel flexibility, lower emissions and resilient energy systems as the global energy transition accelerates.

The G17 is the natural gas counterpart to Volvo Penta’s established D17 genset engine and forms part of the company’s wider transformation journey. Designed to meet rising demand for dependable and lower-emission power, the engine offers a pathway for customers seeking to decarbonise operations without compromising on performance or reliability.

“The energy transition isn’t one-size-fits-all,” says Kristian Vekas, Product Manager for Industrial Power Generation at Volvo Penta. “It requires multiple technologies and fuel pathways working in parallel. The G17 expands our power generation portfolio with a gas option engineered to meet rising global demand for dependable, lower-emission solutions that are backed by the strength of the Volvo Group and our global support network. It reflects our commitment to providing customers with fit-for-purpose solutions to support their energy objectives as the landscape continues to evolve.”

Built on the same heavy-duty platform as the D17, the G17 is a 17-litre, six-cylinder, spark-ignited engine capable of operating on both pipeline-quality natural gas and renewable natural gas. This dual-fuel capability allows operators to reduce carbon intensity while maintaining uptime, durability and responsiveness in mission-critical applications.

“The G17 is engineered to deliver lower emissions without trade-offs,” says Kristian. “Its flexible fuel capability helps reduce carbon intensity while maintaining the power density, responsiveness and durability customers expect from Volvo Penta’s heavy-duty platform.”

Engineered to deliver approximately 450 kWe at 1,800 rpm, the G17 provides high power output from a compact footprint. Its smaller enclosure enables reduced installation space and lower housing material costs, while fast load acceptance supports reliable performance during demand surges or grid transitions. The engine’s pipeline-ready design allows direct connection to existing gas infrastructure, simplifying installation and removing the need for additional fuel-conditioning systems.

The G17 has been developed to deliver reduced emissions of nitrogen oxides and particulate matter. Advanced combustion controls, low-pressure Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) and a high-efficiency three-way catalyst enable compliance with US EPA stationary power application standards, positioning the engine as a viable option for operators with strong ESG targets or operations in air quality-sensitive zones.

Its compact, stackable platform makes the engine well suited for space-constrained environments such as data centres. It can also be integrated into hybrid energy systems that combine internal combustion engines, renewable fuels and battery storage, enabling scalable and adaptable power architectures.

Supported by Volvo Penta’s global dealer network, the G17 is intended to deliver long-term performance and reliability. “With the G17 gas engine, Volvo Penta is expanding its ability to deliver integrated energy solutions that combine proven technology, emerging fuel pathways and strong service,” Kristian concludes.

Energy

The Renewable Carbon Initiative (RCI) has published an extended second version of its latest report, presenting eleven peer-reviewed lifecycle assessment (LCA) case studies that examine the carbon footprint of materials and products made from renewable carbon compared with fossil-based alternatives.

The case studies represent what RCI describes as the highest possible scientific standard and have all been peer-reviewed by external, independent experts. They assess products developed by RCI members Avantium (Netherlands), BASF (Germany), Braskem (United States), Econic (United Kingdom), Fibenol (Estonia), IFF (United States), LanzaTech (United States), Lenzing (Austria), Neste (Finland), Peter Greven (Germany) and Primient Covation (United States).

According to the report, the carbon footprint of chemicals and materials has become one of the most critical indicators at a time when the United Nations continues to issue “Code Red” warnings on climate change. Fossil resources are identified as the primary driver of human-induced climate change, accounting for more than 70% of global warming. While sectors such as energy can decarbonise by shifting away from fossil fuels, carbon-dependent industries face a different challenge.

For the chemical and materials sectors, carbon is an essential feedstock that cannot be eliminated. Instead, the report argues that defossilisation is required to prevent further influxes of fossil carbon into industrial carbon cycles and the atmosphere. This involves replacing fossil feedstocks with renewable carbon sources, including bio-based, CO₂-based and recycled carbon.

However, the report also stresses that alternative production pathways cannot be assumed to be automatically better for the climate. Transparent and robust evaluation is required, taking into account process emissions, energy demand and current production scales. Without this, claims of environmental superiority risk being misleading.

The eleven peer-reviewed LCAs presented in the report provide what RCI describes as conclusive proof that renewable carbon products already available on the market can deliver substantial greenhouse gas reductions. Across the case studies, GHG savings range from 30% to as much as 90% when compared with fossil-based counterparts. The findings also indicate that, as technologies mature and scale up, there is significant potential for further emission reductions in the future.

RCI said the evidence base created by the report is intended to inform both policy-makers and investors, countering concerns that the climate benefits of renewable carbon remain theoretical. A central conclusion is that reducing the introduction of additional fossil carbon today will lessen the future reliance on costly atmospheric carbon removal technologies.

By enabling more circular carbon loops, the report concludes that renewable carbon feedstocks already represent a proven and viable pathway for defossilising chemical industries in line with global climate targets.

Energy

As the UAE accelerates its national sustainability agenda, climate action is shifting from voluntary pledges to formal regulatory expectation. Federal Decree-Law No. 11 of 2024 on the Reduction of the Effects of Climate Change marks a turning point, introducing enforceable obligations around emissions management, alongside administrative penalties for non-compliance.

While the finer details of implementation and reporting pathways are still evolving, the direction of travel is clear.

Organisations are now expected to show real progress in measuring, managing, and governing their climate impact.

For many businesses, this represents more than a compliance update. It is a signal that sustainability data is moving into the same category as financial data, something boards and executives must understand, trust, and use to make decisions.

Against this backdrop, companies across sectors, from industry and real estate to logistics, finance, and investment, are reassessing how ESG data is generated and validated. We spoke with Jomy Joseph, Director at CoralDune Partners and former Regional Director for UL Solutions in the Middle East and Africa, about what Decree 11 means in practice and how organisations can respond without turning sustainability into a box-ticking exercise.

According to Joseph, adoption of the new law is already under way, but not in a uniform manner. “What I see on the ground is a phased adoption, rather than a single switch being flipped,” he says. Large groups, particularly those with international investors, lenders, or global customers, are leading the way. Many have been reporting emissions in some form for years, and Decree 11 is pushing them to tighten governance, improve data quality, and clarify accountability.

Assessing supply chains

The next wave, he explains, will come through supply chains. Contractors, manufacturers, logistics providers, and service companies are increasingly being asked to provide credible emissions data by customers who are themselves responding to regulatory and investor pressure.

For the mid-market, awareness is still uneven, but Joseph expects that to change quickly. “The UAE has made it clear through its Net Zero 2050 commitment and wider sustainability agenda that climate action is no longer optional. Decree 11 turns that ambition into a structured expectation.”

While the law allows for significant financial penalties, ranging from AED 50,000 up to AED 2,000,000 and rising for repeated violations, Joseph believes the earliest impacts will often be commercial rather than regulatory.

Companies may find themselves excluded from tenders where sustainability disclosure is part of the qualification process, subject to greater scrutiny from banks and insurers, or exposed to reputational risk if their figures cannot be supported with evidence. “Even before enforcement is felt directly, the market itself is already moving in the same direction as the regulation,” he notes.

emissionsuae

The UAE has supported initiatives to reduce emissions over the decades

At CoralDune Partners, Joseph and his team focus on helping boards and CEOs embed ESG reporting as a core governance and performance management function. Drawing on his background in testing, inspection, certification, and enterprise sustainability, he stresses that effective ESG reporting is not a marketing exercise. Instead, it starts with clarity around what actually matters for a specific business, sector, and geography.

That means defining a measurable baseline, agreeing on calculation methods, and ensuring consistency year on year. It also requires clear ownership, internal controls, and audit trails, so that reporting is defensible and repeatable.

Crucially, it involves building a practical roadmap that links emissions reduction to real operational levers, such as energy use, procurement, logistics, product design, and buildings. For mid-sized companies, the challenge is doing this without unnecessary complexity. “The goal is not to copy large enterprise reporting, but to build a credible, scalable foundation that leadership can rely on,” Joseph says.

Technology, and particularly AI, has a growing role to play. While spreadsheets remain familiar tools, Joseph argues they were never designed to support long-term, regulated reporting under investor scrutiny. AI can help automate data capture from invoices, fuel logs, utility bills, and ERP systems, classify it correctly, and flag anomalies before numbers reach management.

It also enables faster scenario planning, allowing companies to see how changes in suppliers, equipment, or logistics routes affect both emissions and cost. “The real issue is not the tool, but the outcome,” he says. “Can the organisation produce numbers that are consistent year after year, backed by evidence, and ready to be checked?”

Importantly, Decree 11 does not only apply to large enterprises. The focus is on activities and emissions sources, not company size. Smaller businesses and startups should not assume they are automatically out of scope.

For them, compliance does not mean producing lengthy reports. A basic emissions baseline, clear calculation records, and a short list of practical actions that reduce both cost and emissions are often enough to start. Many will first feel the impact through customer and supply chain requirements. Being prepared early puts them in a far stronger position.

Challenges ahead

One of the biggest issues Joseph sees is trust in the data itself. Many organisations can produce a sustainability statement, but far fewer can clearly explain where the numbers came from and whether the same approach will be used next year. This is where ESG reporting becomes a board-level issue, as weak data translates directly into regulatory, commercial, and reputational risk.

To reduce greenwashing risk, Joseph points to the importance of moving from claims to evidence and assurance. Structured measurement, reporting, and verification processes, independent assurance under standards such as ISO 14064-3, product-level tools like life cycle assessments and environmental product declarations, and recognised built environment frameworks all help convert intent into measurable performance. “If a claim cannot be supported with data and documentation, it should not be made,” he says.

Globally, Joseph sees useful benchmarks in the European Union’s focus on structure and comparability, Singapore’s practical and business-friendly approach, and the UK’s emphasis on transition planning. The UAE, he believes, has the advantage of speed. With strong digital government infrastructure and clear national targets, it has the potential to move rapidly from policy to execution.

Ultimately, credible ESG reporting is becoming inseparable from competitiveness. As sustainability data increasingly shapes access to capital, insurance, and investment, Decree 11 is not just about compliance. It is about how companies position themselves for the next phase of growth in a low-carbon economy.

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Energy

Energy

The Renewable Carbon Initiative (RCI) has published an extended second version of its latest report, presenting eleven peer-reviewed lifecycle assessment (LCA) case studies that examine the carbon footprint of materials and products made from renewable carbon compared with fossil-based alternatives.

The case studies represent what RCI describes as the highest possible scientific standard and have all been peer-reviewed by external, independent experts. They assess products developed by RCI members Avantium (Netherlands), BASF (Germany), Braskem (United States), Econic (United Kingdom), Fibenol (Estonia), IFF (United States), LanzaTech (United States), Lenzing (Austria), Neste (Finland), Peter Greven (Germany) and Primient Covation (United States).

According to the report, the carbon footprint of chemicals and materials has become one of the most critical indicators at a time when the United Nations continues to issue “Code Red” warnings on climate change. Fossil resources are identified as the primary driver of human-induced climate change, accounting for more than 70% of global warming. While sectors such as energy can decarbonise by shifting away from fossil fuels, carbon-dependent industries face a different challenge.

For the chemical and materials sectors, carbon is an essential feedstock that cannot be eliminated. Instead, the report argues that defossilisation is required to prevent further influxes of fossil carbon into industrial carbon cycles and the atmosphere. This involves replacing fossil feedstocks with renewable carbon sources, including bio-based, CO₂-based and recycled carbon.

However, the report also stresses that alternative production pathways cannot be assumed to be automatically better for the climate. Transparent and robust evaluation is required, taking into account process emissions, energy demand and current production scales. Without this, claims of environmental superiority risk being misleading.

The eleven peer-reviewed LCAs presented in the report provide what RCI describes as conclusive proof that renewable carbon products already available on the market can deliver substantial greenhouse gas reductions. Across the case studies, GHG savings range from 30% to as much as 90% when compared with fossil-based counterparts. The findings also indicate that, as technologies mature and scale up, there is significant potential for further emission reductions in the future.

RCI said the evidence base created by the report is intended to inform both policy-makers and investors, countering concerns that the climate benefits of renewable carbon remain theoretical. A central conclusion is that reducing the introduction of additional fossil carbon today will lessen the future reliance on costly atmospheric carbon removal technologies.

By enabling more circular carbon loops, the report concludes that renewable carbon feedstocks already represent a proven and viable pathway for defossilising chemical industries in line with global climate targets.

Water

Water

Ecolab, a global leader in sustainability solutions for water, hygiene and infection prevention, has signed a non-binding MoU with the Saudi Water Authority (SWA) aimed at accelerating water innovation and supporting the Kingdom’s long-term sustainability ambitions.

The agreement reflects a shared commitment to advancing more efficient, resilient and circular water systems in line with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.

The MoU was formalised during the US-Saudi Water Summit 2025, held last month in Palo Alto, California. The summit brought together international water sector leaders to discuss emerging challenges, technological advances and collaborative models capable of transforming water management across the Kingdom. Against a backdrop of rising demand, climate pressures and industrial expansion, the agreement highlights the growing importance of public-private partnerships in securing Saudi Arabia’s water future.

Under the MoU, SWA and Ecolab will collaborate to position sustainable water management as a strategic enabler of national development. By improving water efficiency and reuse, the partnership aims to help safeguard scarce water resources while enhancing water quality across key sectors. These efforts are also expected to deliver wider environmental and economic benefits, including reduced energy consumption, lower CO2 emissions and improved operational efficiency for industrial and commercial operators.

The framework for cooperation includes the exchange of technical insights and best practices across sectors such as data centres, refineries, petrochemicals, heavy industry, desalination, manufacturing, food and beverage, and hospitality.

Key areas of partnership

The collaboration also covers support for water source selection, regulatory development and performance monitoring, alongside workshops focused on advanced digital solutions such as smart water systems and predictive maintenance. In addition, the partners will explore pilot projects within Saudi industrial cities, applying Ecolab’s global technologies under local operating conditions, and identify opportunities to support innovation initiatives, including Rabigh Oasis, the Global Water Innovation Prize (GWIP), collaborative research and development roundtables, and broader innovation promotion programmes.

Ecolab has maintained a strong presence in Saudi Arabia for more than four decades through its Nalco Water business, supporting major industrial players in optimising water use. Today, its solutions are deployed across energy, manufacturing, food and hospitality, helping organisations conserve water, reduce energy consumption and strengthen long-term business resilience while meeting sustainability goals.

His Excellency Abdullah bin Ibrahim Al-Abdulkarim, President of the Saudi Water Authority, highlighted the partnership as a step toward building a world-class water sector that safeguards resources, supports national growth, and demonstrates how innovation and sustainability can secure water for future generations in line with Vision 2030.

Stefan Umiastowski, Ecolab’s Senior Vice President & CEO for India, Middle East, and Africa, said, “This collaboration represents an important step in advancing Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 commitment to long-term water sustainability in a region where water is one of the most critical resources. As digitalization and AI reshape economies and create new demand patterns, intelligent water management has become essential for sustainable growth. By combining Ecolab's global innovation capabilities with the SWA’s vision and local expertise, we're creating a powerful platform to scale water transformation across the Kingdom's most strategic industries.”

Overall, the MoU demonstrates how closer collaboration between government and industry can translate sustainability ambitions into measurable outcomes, supporting the transition towards Net Zero while enhancing industrial competitiveness and water security across Saudi Arabia.

Construction

Construction

As the Middle East accelerates the adoption of smart buildings and next-generation construction technologies, the need for clear regulatory frameworks and internationally aligned standards is becoming increasingly critical.

The International Code Council (ICC) will contribute to two technical symposiums at Intersec 2026, taking place from 12-14 January at the Dubai World Trade Centre. ICC’s participation underscores its commitment to supporting the safe, scalable and compliant evolution of the built environment across the region.

Through its involvement, ICC will engage in policy-driven dialogue and technical knowledge exchange, reflecting its integrated approach to enabling innovation while safeguarding safety, performance and resilience. Mohamed Amer, Managing Director, ICC MENA, will represent the organisation at both the Smart Building Summit 2026 and FCIA–NFCA PFPCON ’26, which are being held alongside Intersec 2026.

At the Smart Building Summit 2026, ICC will take part in the panel discussion titled “Navigating the Global Regulatory Landscape: Standards, Policies & Incentives for Smart Buildings.” The session will explore how regulatory frameworks, certification schemes and government incentives are influencing smart building adoption across the region. ICC’s contribution will focus on the role of globally recognised codes and standards in aligning international best practice with local regulatory requirements, while supporting performance assurance and long-term operational efficiency within smart building ecosystems.

ICC will also deliver a technical presentation at FCIA–NFCA PFPCON ’26, a specialist symposium held during Intersec 2026 in Dubai. Entitled “Building the Future: Enabling Safe Adoption of 3D Printing & Modern Methods of Construction,” the presentation will examine regulatory, safety and compliance considerations linked to emerging construction technologies. It will further highlight how performance-based codes and standards can support responsible innovation while maintaining structural integrity, fire safety and quality assurance.

By linking smart building regulation with advanced construction practices, ICC continues to advocate a coordinated, standards-led approach to delivering safer, more resilient and future-ready built environments across the Middle East.

Mining

Mining

Energy Capital Group (ECG), a Riyadh-based specialist investor, has launched a $300 million private equity fund aimed at supporting Saudi Arabia’s industrial transformation and advancing the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 objectives.

The ECG-Industrial Metals and Services Fund will focus on investments in integrated industrial and mining services that strengthen local supply chains and support long-term industrial growth.

The fund has already secured around US$100mn in soft commitments from investors. ECG focuses on energy, industrial and resource-based sectors, with a strategy centred on building and scaling businesses that reinforce critical supply chains and contribute to sustainable industrial development across the region.

Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 sets out an ambitious agenda to diversify the economy, attract domestic and international investment, and position the Kingdom as a global industrial and investment hub. Through targeted investments in metals services and supply chains, the new fund is intended to support these goals while capitalising on the Kingdom’s expanding mining and industrial base.

Ali Alturki, Managing Partner of ECG, said, “The aim of this fund is to capitalise on Saudi Arabia’s generational mining investment opportunity, supporting the localisation of essential services and driving innovation across industry and downstream processing.
This new fund will support the Kingdom’s ambition by investing in Saudi-based service platforms, positioning metals supply as a reliable, contracted service to the Kingdom’s industrial base.

“For this fund we are partnering with Jay Hambro and the Verdigris team who bring broad knowledge of the metals sector and an excellent track record of value delivery.”

Jay Hambro has joined ECG as Managing Partner for the ECG – Industrial Metals and Services Fund, with the team from Verdigris Strategic providing sector-specific strategic advice. Verdigris Strategic is a metals supply chain services advisory group with experience across global markets.

Hambro said, “ECG’s new fund’s strategy places it at the forefront of a rapidly evolving sector critical to the energy transition and supply chain resilience. Saudi Arabia has identified US$2.5 trillion in untapped mineral resource capability which is being scaled rapidly through licencing rounds, public capital and policy support. The Kingdom has recently issued over two thousand exploration licences and is targeting a US$75bn contribution to its GDP before the end of the decade.

“My team and I have been working with ECG, one of leading industrial services private equity investors in the region, for nearly four years and the fund is a natural evolution in this partnership.”

The fund was launched at the 2026 Future Minerals Forum in Riyadh, a government-led platform focused on shaping the future of the global minerals sector, held at the King Abdulaziz International Conference Center.

Manufacturing

Manufacturing

THi Holding Management Corporation (THi) has marked a major milestone in its Middle East expansion with the groundbreaking of the THi Ras Al Khaimah Smart Manufacturing Industrial Park, officially launching construction of its first industrial park project in the region.

The development is the first project under THi’s Middle East industrial and real estate platform and forms a central pillar of the company’s long-term strategy to support advanced manufacturing and industrial localisation. The park is being developed on a site spanning more than 300,000 sq m within the Al Hamra area of Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ), and is intended to serve high-value manufacturing and industrial companies seeking modern, scalable and high-specification facilities in the UAE.

The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by representatives from local authorities, financial institutions, and regional and international industrial partners, highlighting the project’s strategic importance to Ras Al Khaimah’s broader industrial development ambitions.

Designed as a high-standard industrial development, the THi Ras Al Khaimah Smart Manufacturing Industrial Park will be tailored to the needs of advanced and smart manufacturing sectors. The project is planned to accommodate a range of industries, including new energy, advanced manufacturing, logistics and industrial technology. Sustainability considerations and efficient infrastructure planning have been embedded into the design, reflecting growing demand for environmentally responsible and operationally efficient industrial facilities.

THi will act as developer, asset manager and operator of the project, overseeing the full lifecycle from construction through to long-term management and operations. Construction will be delivered in phases, aligned with tenant requirements and operational readiness, allowing flexibility as market demand evolves.

“The commencement of construction at Ras Al Khaimah marks an important step in THi’s international expansion,” said Frank Wu, Founder of THi. “This project reflects our commitment to bringing our industrial development and operational experience into the Middle East, and to building high-quality industrial platforms that support long-term manufacturing growth and economic diversification in the region.”

The development follows a Memorandum of Understanding signed between RAKEZ and THi in 2024, which established a framework for collaboration in industrial development and education. The agreement supports the creation of advanced manufacturing infrastructure and knowledge transfer in Ras Al Khaimah.

Commenting on the project’s launch, RAKEZ Group CEO Ramy Jallad said, “We are pleased to welcome THi to the emirate and see this project move from strategic intent to on-the-ground delivery. The scale and ambition of this industrial park reflect the confidence global partners place in both RAKEZ and the emirate as a base for advanced manufacturing. Through our collaboration, we are enabling high-value industrial activity, skilled job creation, and long-term industrial innovation aligned with Ras Al Khaimah’s economic priorities.”

Drawing on extensive experience in industrial and manufacturing-focused real estate, THi plans to use the Ras Al Khaimah project as a foundation for further expansion across the Middle East, adapting its global expertise to regional market and regulatory requirements.

Noritsugu Mifune, CEO, Al Gharbia Pipe Company. (Image source: Al Gharbia Pipe Company)

Jimmy Joseph, director of GDS Middle East. (Image source: GDS Middle East)

Logistics

Logistics

Saudi Arabia has claimed the top spot globally in the Road Network Connectivity Index, according to a report by the World Competitiveness Forum. The Kingdom also ranked fourth among G20 nations in the Road Infrastructure Quality Index, highlighting its ongoing investment and development in the road sector.

For a country of Saudi Arabia’s size, these rankings underscore its growing international prominence and the strategic importance of its transport network. The Kingdom’s road system stretches over 73,000 km—almost double the circumference of the Earth—providing critical domestic connectivity while linking Saudi Arabia to eight neighbouring countries, including GCC states, Jordan, Iraq, and Yemen. The network supports key sectors such as Hajj and Umrah, tourism, trade, and broader logistics, positioning the Kingdom as a regional hub.

A spokesman for the Roads General Authority (RGA) attributed the achievements to the adoption of global best practices and safety-focused regulations. “We have launched the Road Code as a unified technical reference for all entities responsible for roads, guaranteeing the highest standards of planning, design, implementation and maintenance,” he said.

The authority has also introduced the Road Right-of-Way Permits Regulation, which organises activities within road corridors, enhances safety, and improves user experience, the spokesman added.

The RGA continues to roll out major projects and initiatives under the Roads Sector Program to strengthen infrastructure and achieve strategic targets. These include aiming for sixth place globally in the Road Quality Index by 2030, reducing road fatalities to fewer than five deaths per 100,000 people, implementing road safety features across the network in line with the International Road Assessment Programme (IRAP), and maintaining advanced service levels to meet growing traffic demands.

Saudi Arabia’s recognition in these international rankings reflects its commitment to combining world-class infrastructure with enhanced safety standards, while supporting economic growth and regional connectivity. The Kingdom’s road network is increasingly seen not just as a transport system, but as a driver of development and a vital component of national strategic planning.

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