In The Spotlight
EGA and Sunstone to build UAE anode plant
Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA), the world’s largest producer of premium aluminium, and Sunstone, the world’s largest independent pre-baked anode producer, have announced that construction of a new anode manufacturing plant in the UAE will commence in 2026.
The facility will have an annual production capacity of 300,000 tonnes of anodes, marking a significant step towards the UAE’s industrial ambitions under the Make it in the Emirates and Operation 300bn strategies. Once operational, the plant will replace the majority of EGA’s current anode imports and position the UAE among a select group of countries capable of exporting anodes globally. First anode production is anticipated as early as 2028.
EGA and Sunstone formalised the project through a Joint Venture Agreement, with EGA holding a 45 per cent stake and Sunstone 55 per cent. The partners plan to invest approximately US$300 million, proportionate to their respective shareholdings, to develop the new plant. Sunstone will be responsible for building the facility on behalf of the joint venture, with EGA acting as a financial investor and off-taker.
New UAE facility
Anodes are a critical input in aluminium smelting. EGA currently produces around 1.35 million tonnes of anodes annually at its Jebel Ali and Al Taweelah plants, with the remainder of its requirements sourced through imports. The new UAE-based facility will significantly strengthen EGA’s long-term security of supply while supporting domestic industrial growth and export potential.
Abdulnasser Bin Kalban, Chief Executive Officer of EGA, said, “This project creates additional export opportunities for the UAE, further increases EGA’s local procurement and our contribution to UAE economic growth, and supports EGA’s long-term security of anode supply. We are pleased to partner with Sunstone, combining our decades of anode manufacturing experience to establish their first plant outside China in the UAE. This project is Make it in the Emirates and Operation 300bn in action – leveraging UAE industrial demand to build new manufacturing in the UAE to meet local needs and expand exports.”
Lang Guanghui, Chairman of Sunstone, added, “We are honoured to establish our first overseas foothold in the UAE and partner with a benchmark enterprise like EGA, which carries half a century of industry heritage and a mission to shape the future of aluminium. This collaboration represents a substantive move by both parties to respond to the green transformation of global manufacturing. We will go all out to set new benchmarks in efficiency and lay a solid foundation for future sustainable operations.”
EGA and Sunstone have been collaborating through a series of early-stage agreements during project development, most recently signing a joint development agreement at the Make it in the Emirates Forum in May 2025, underscoring their commitment to advancing the UAE’s industrial and export capabilities.
Fakhruddin and Holcim UAE sign sustainability MoU
Fakhruddin Properties and Holcim UAE have signed an MoU to jointly advance sustainable construction across the UAE and the wider region.
The agreement brings together Fakhruddin Properties, one of the UAE’s leading sustainability-oriented developers, and Holcim UAE, a key partner for sustainable construction solutions.
It also marks a regional milestone for Holcim, representing its first MoU with a developer headquartered in the Middle East. The partnership reflects Holcim’s ambition to expand its regional footprint while supporting the UAE’s net-zero goals through low-carbon and circular building practices.
The collaboration will draw on Holcim UAE’s expertise in low-carbon and circular construction under its NextGen Growth 2030 strategy, alongside Fakhruddin Properties’ long-standing commitment to sustainable development. Together, the partners aim to deliver future-ready communities that balance environmental responsibility with social value.
Sustainable operations
Fakhruddin Properties is recognised as a multi award-winning sustainability pioneer in the UAE’s real estate sector. The developer introduced the country’s first in-building waste management system, diverting 90% of waste from landfills, and continues to focus on wellness-driven developments through smart home solutions, air purification systems and energy-efficient technologies designed to address rising global energy consumption.
Commenting on the announcement, Yousuf Fakhruddin, CEO and managing director, Fakhruddin Properties, said, “This MoU supports the UAE’s national sustainability agenda and aligns with the 2015 Paris Agreement, reinforcing the UAE’s long-held commitment to achieving net-zero CO2 emissions by 2050. We will work closely with Holcim UAE to reduce both embodied and operational carbon, promote circular economy principles, and scale practical sustainability solutions with full transparency.
“For example, low-carbon materials supplied by Holcim and other manufacturers will be a staple across our future projects. This partnership demonstrates that effective decarbonization requires joint efforts across developers, sustainable solution providers, as well as government and industry stakeholders, combining innovation with measurable climate action.”
Ali Said, CEO, Holcim UAE, added, “Sustainability is not just a goal, it is a shared responsibility that requires collaboration, transparency, and innovation. Through this partnership, we will embed low-carbon, circular, and resilient practices across the built environment. By ensuring traceability of materials along the entire value chain and integrating sustainable design and construction solutions, we will create communities that support wellbeing, respect the environment and nature, and set new benchmarks for sustainable development, starting with the UAE.”
ACCIONA launches platform for real-time concrete monitoring
As part of its ongoing commitment to the digitalisation of construction processes, ACCIONA has developed a new digital platform designed to enhance the monitoring of concrete quality and maturity across its projects.
Known as DIGICONCRETE, the platform is intended to improve efficiency, accuracy and transparency in the quality control and traceability of structural concrete elements on site.
DIGICONCRETE enables real-time monitoring of concrete placement and performance by providing remote access to key data on strength development and curing progress.
This allows project teams to oversee critical stages of construction without relying solely on manual inspections or paper-based records. By consolidating information within a single digital environment, the platform supports more informed decision-making and improves coordination between site teams and technical offices.
Through the use of interactive dashboards, DIGICONCRETE streamlines quality control and traceability processes by digitising data acquisition and facilitating verification of compliance with applicable regulations, including updated structural codes.
Key features
The system keeps construction teams continuously informed about the maturity level of each concrete pour, helping to optimise formwork removal and stripping times. As a result, construction sequences can be better coordinated, reducing delays and improving overall site productivity.
The platform incorporates advanced data capture technologies, including optical character recognition (OCR) to digitise documentation, alongside wireless devices equipped with high-precision temperature sensors.
These sensors play a critical role in accurately tracking concrete curing conditions, particularly during the early stages of strength development. DIGICONCRETE is accessible via mobile devices, tablets and computers, ensuring seamless collaboration and information sharing across multiple stakeholders regardless of location.
DIGICONCRETE is particularly well suited to projects in the Middle East, where extreme temperatures and challenging environmental conditions can significantly affect concrete behaviour. In hot climates, accelerated setting times increase the risk of quality issues if curing is not carefully controlled. The platform supports more precise monitoring under such conditions, helping teams mitigate risks, maintain quality standards and optimise construction schedules. Its remote monitoring capabilities are especially valuable for large-scale infrastructure and building projects common across the region.
ACCIONA has already deployed DIGICONCRETE on several projects in Spain, including the new Tax Agency headquarters in Valencia, the Palma de Mallorca Airport terminal remodelling project, and a road construction scheme in Zaragoza. Following these implementations, the company is positioning the platform for broader international rollout, including future projects in the Middle East, as part of its wider strategy to integrate digital solutions into construction delivery.
Ecolab and SWA partner to advance water innovation
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.
Jenan Real Estate acquires Dana Bay Waterfront Project. (Image credit: Jenan)
Jenan Real Estate acquires Dana Bay Waterfront Project
Jenan Real Estate Company has announced the full acquisition of the Dana Bay project, signalling a major milestone in its expansion strategy and marking the beginning of an ambitious new development phase under its sole ownership.
The move reinforces Jenan Real Estate’s growing presence in Saudi Arabia’s tourism and real estate sectors, aligning closely with the Kingdom’s long-term economic diversification goals.
The acquisition represents a strategic turning point for Dana Bay, one of the largest privately owned mixed-use waterfront tourism developments in the Kingdom. Located along a prime coastal stretch, the project spans more than 2.8 million square metres and is positioned to become a landmark destination on Saudi Arabia’s eastern seaboard. Once completed, the development is expected to reach a projected value of between SAR 6 billion and SAR 8 billion, underlining its scale and economic significance.
Jenan Real Estate continues to strengthen its role in shaping coastal tourism destinations by delivering fully integrated, high-quality developments that combine striking sea views with premium lifestyle amenities. These initiatives contribute to enhancing quality of life, attracting domestic and international investment, and generating both direct and indirect employment opportunities. The Dana Bay acquisition also supports Saudi Vision 2030 objectives by boosting domestic tourism and establishing leisure and hospitality as key drivers of sustainable national growth.
Through the comprehensive redevelopment of Dana Bay, Jenan Real Estate aims to stimulate domestic tourism by offering a destination tailored to families and visitors seeking a distinctive waterfront experience. The project boasts one of the longest private beaches in the Kingdom and will feature a diverse mix of residential, leisure and hospitality components. These include luxury beachfront villas with uninterrupted sea views, family-friendly chalets located close to the shore, and a wide range of supporting service facilities.
A standout feature of the development is “Loopagoon,” a women-only water park – the first of its kind in the Eastern Province – alongside a dedicated women’s spa and private beach, providing privacy-focused, high-end hospitality experiences. Dana Bay will also host world-class hotels and resorts catering to both local and international guests, as well as a fully serviced marina designed to attract yacht owners, sailing enthusiasts and luxury travellers.
Dana Walk will serve as a vibrant commercial and entertainment hub, offering restaurants, cafés, retail outlets and event venues with panoramic sea views. Premium catering services for events, celebrations and corporate gatherings will further enhance the destination’s appeal.
With plans to unveil a detailed development roadmap featuring major upgrades and new facilities, Jenan Real Estate aims to position Dana Bay as one of Saudi Arabia’s premier waterfront destinations and a key contributor to domestic tourism growth.
Innovation showcase highlights Oman’s energy transition.
Oman explores future-ready electricity solutions
AtkinsRéalis, a leading global engineering and nuclear services company, in collaboration with Oman’s Ministry of Energy and Minerals, hosted the “Powering the Future: Oman Electricity Innovation Showcase” on December 10, 2025
The event convened senior leaders from government, utilities, regulators, and the private sector to explore strategies for meeting Oman’s rapidly growing electricity demand driven by AI-enabled economic development. Discussions focused on a balanced energy mix incorporating nuclear power, renewables, AI-ready grids, and storage solutions, all aligned with the nation’s goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2050.
H.E. Mohsin Hamed Saif Al Hadhrami, Undersecretary at the Ministry of Energy and Minerals, commented, “A secure and sustainable power system is central to our industrial strategy and economic ambitions, which includes recently announced initiatives like the Oman Digital Triangle, a gigawatt scale group of three AI superclusters under the National Digital Infrastructure Roadmap. This collaboration highlights technologies and delivery models that can help Oman diversify its energy mix, enhance grid resilience, and accelerate progress toward our national targets.”
The showcase featured sessions on decarbonisation pathways, grid resilience for AI-intensive economies, economic growth opportunities, and the complementary role of reliable nuclear energy alongside intermittent renewables. Lightning talks highlighted the importance of regional grid interconnections, hydrogen, financing, and policy frameworks. Participants engaged in interactive simulations to explore managing a diverse electricity supply mix and examined global case studies on nuclear project delivery and refurbishment.
Todd Smith, vice-president of marketing and business development at CANDU Energy Inc., added, “Reliable, clean, baseload power is the anchor for a modern grid, serving both people and a data-driven economy. Nuclear provides the dispatchable, low-carbon capacity that helps Oman scale renewables without sacrificing stability or affordability. The question is how to design the right mix, attract and sequence investments, drive new industry capacity and growth, and build the institutional capability to deliver at pace.”
The event was timely as Oman’s electricity demand grows at 6.1% annually, with MENA-wide consumption projected to increase by 50% by 2035. Data centre expansion, with installed capacity potentially tripling to 3.3 GW in the next five years and market growth expected to reach US$9.5bn by 2030, underscores the need for scalable, practical solutions to ensure energy security, economic competitiveness, and climate resilience.
Matthew Tribe, global market lead, buildings & places at AtkinsRéalis, said, “Our ambition with this showcase was to rise above the noise and illuminate innovative pathways grounded in evidence, strategic choices, and informed trade-offs. Today, cities, industries, and digital ecosystems converge on a singular imperative: abundant, resilient, and clean energy. In partnership with the Ministry, we have articulated a forward-looking roadmap that harmonises renewables, advanced storage, and grid-forming technologies with proven nuclear solutions, empowering Oman to accelerate near-term growth while steadfastly advancing toward a net-zero future.”
AtkinsRéalis combines extensive global nuclear and grid design expertise with a strong regional presence, drawing on decades of experience delivering CANDU reactors and managing a 7,000-person nuclear workforce. CANDU technology provides Oman and the broader region with a proven pathway to secure, low-carbon baseload power, supporting both grid stability and large-scale renewable integration. AtkinsRéalis remains committed to partnering with governments and industry stakeholders across the Middle East to identify opportunities and co-develop solutions that promote sustainable growth and deliver resilient, future-ready energy and infrastructure systems.
DEWA & Dell Technologies collaborate for sustainable utility. (Image credit: DEWA)
DEWA and Dell Technologies advance smart, sustainable utilities
Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has taken another decisive step towards shaping the future of smart and sustainable utilities by exploring strategic collaboration opportunities with Dell Technologies.
HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA, welcomed a senior Dell Technologies delegation led by Adrian McDonald, President for Europe, Middle East & Africa; Walid Yehia, Managing Director – Gulf; and Mohammad Amin, Senior Vice President – CEEMETA. The meeting was also attended by Marwan Bin Haidar, Executive Vice President of Innovation and the Future at DEWA, and Mohammed Bin Sulaiman, CEO of Moro Hub, part of Digital DEWA.
The discussions centred on strengthening cooperation to deploy advanced digital solutions that support Dubai’s smart infrastructure ambitions, accelerate green initiatives and transform utility services through innovation. Both parties examined how emerging technologies can play a pivotal role in redefining operational excellence across the energy and water sectors.
Al Tayer affirmed that, in line with the vision and directives of Dubai’s wise leadership to make AI the cornerstone of future initiatives and services in the emirate, DEWA is harnessing the latest Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies, particularly AI, to enhance performance and productivity. He emphasised the critical role of robust IT infrastructure, AI and Big Data analytics in building more resilient, efficient and customer-centric utility services.
The meeting highlighted opportunities for Dell Technologies to contribute its global expertise in digital transformation to support DEWA’s ambitious road maps for sustainable energy, integrated water management and smart city development. Discussions explored modernising critical infrastructure through next-generation IoT, edge computing and advanced data centre solutions to enhance grid reliability, seamlessly integrate renewable energy and optimise water distribution networks.
Both sides also examined how AI, advanced analytics and machine learning can unlock new operational efficiencies through predictive maintenance, intelligent demand forecasting and personalised customer engagement. Sustainability emerged as a core focus, with an emphasis on green data centres, energy-efficient system designs and innovative cooling technologies aligned with Dubai’s environmental goals.
The dialogue concluded with a shared commitment to strengthening cybersecurity frameworks, ensuring the long-term security, resilience and reliability of Dubai’s critical utility infrastructure in an increasingly digital future.
Gulfood
Venue:
Dubai World Trade Centre
Dates:
20-24 February 2023
Website:
20 Feb 23 - 24 Feb 23
Venue:
Dubai World Trade Centre
Dates:
20-24 February 2023
Website: