AVATR’s sleek and aerodynamic vehicles are designed at the company’s global design center in Munich. (Image source: AVATR)

Smart Mobility International, a subsidiary of one of the UAE's leading automotive agencies with over 40 years of experience in distributing luxury brands like Rolls-Royce, BMW, and McLaren, has signed an agreement with AVATR Technology to become the exclusive distributor of AVATR's innovative vehicle range.

AVATR Technology, a prominent manufacturer of luxury New Energy Vehicles, is a joint venture between Chang’an Automobile and CATL, a global leader in smart energy technology, with a strategic partnership with Huawei. This collaboration equips AVATR with cutting-edge vehicle R&D, smart energy technology, and an intelligent ecosystem.

Led by Chief Designer Nader Faghihzade, formerly of BMW, AVATR’s sleek and aerodynamic vehicles are designed at the company’s global design center in Munich.

The agreement was signed on June 20th, attended by His Excellency Sheikh Saif Bin Mohammed Bin Butti Al Hamed, His Excellency Mr. Zhang Yiming, Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to the UAE, and several distinguished guests from the global automotive industry. Mr. Wu, head of AVATR global business development, delivered the opening remarks, with the agreement signed by Mr. Moutaz Louis, CEO of Smart Mobility International, and Mr. Wang, Vice President of AVATR Technology.

Redefining technology

AVATR will be introduced to UAE customers through a major launch campaign in Q4 2024. This campaign will generate anticipation and excitement for the brand through physical and digital channels, along with exclusive launch events for VIPs and potential customers.

The first AVATR showroom will open in a prime location on Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai. The showroom will embody AVATR’s innovative spirit, offering a premium customer experience with state-of-the-art facilities and personalized services.

The flagship models, AVATR 11 and AVATR 12, will be the first to launch, with additional Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) and Extended-Range Electric Vehicle (EREV) models planned for release in 2025.

Mr. Wang of AVATR Technology commented, “The UAE is one of the leading consumers of high-end luxury vehicles, and the UAE will soon experience our class-defining range of Smart Electric Vehicles (SEVs). This is our first export market outside of China, and we are delighted to partner with Smart Mobility International to bring AVATR to the UAE.”

Moutaz Louis, CEO of Smart Mobility International, remarked, “AVATR is set to revolutionise the New Energy Vehicle (NEV) market with a range of products that define a new class of luxury and performance. We are excited to see the reaction of our UAE customers.”

By 2034, global carbon capture capacity is forecast to reach 440 Mtpa. (Image source: Wood Mackenzie)

Carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) will ramp up strongly over the next decade, but development in the Middle East and some other regions is hampered by a lack of policy, regulatory frameworks and funding, according to a recent report from Wood Mackenzie

By 2034, global carbon capture capacity will reach 440 Mtpa and storage capacity will reach 664 Mtpa, requiring US$196bn in total investment, according to the report “CCUS: 10-year market forecast”, with around 70% of the investment forecast to be in North America and Europe. The USA leads in funding, followed by the UK and Canada.

 “This is a huge ramp-up from where the industry is today. Government funding plays a critical role in driving the first wave of CCUS investments,” said Hetal Gandhi, APAC CCUS lead with Wood Mackenzie. “We see governments offering capex grants, opex subsidies, tax incentives and contracts for differences for CCUS. While no single mechanism has been used predominantly and each country devises novel methods to incentivise investments, nearly US$80bn is directly committed to CCUS across five key countries.”

Shortfall in supply forecast

Despite the forecasted increase in projects, Wood Mackenzie forecasts a shortfall in supply. Industries will need up to 640 Mtpa of carbon capture capacity by 2034 as they look to decarbonise, but the projects expected to come into operation fall around 200 Mtpa short of that.

“Of the projects already announced and expected to go ahead in the development pipeline, 71% are in North America and in Europe,” said Gandhi. “Government incentives such as the US Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), UK business models, Canada’s Investment Tax Credit and the Netherlands SDE++ scheme are moving projects towards final investment decision (FID). We also expect a further boost to European projects due to the recently announced EU Industrial Carbon Management Strategy.

 “The lack of CCUS announcements in APAC’s largest emitting countries – China and India – is causing the region to have substantially lower capacity than needed under Wood Mackenzie’s base case. Key sectors like power and chemicals will see a large gap between demand potential and actual supply until 2034. We expect APAC’s capture pipeline will mature through additional announcements later in the decade.”

In APAC, while regulatory momentum is strong in Australia, Japan, South Korea and Indonesia, government incentives are needed to accelerate CCUS development. In contrast, development in China, India, Latin America, the Middle East and Africa is limited by a lack of firm policy, regulatory frameworks and funding support.

Cross-border transport of CO2 and liability risk remain key areas to watch out in the medium term, says Wood Mackenzie.

PVDF is highly suitable for injecting CO2 offshore, both in depleted gas fields and aquifers. (Image source: Strohm)

Strohm, a leading thermoplastic composite pipe company, has added jumpers and flowlines for CCS applications to its portfolio, having successfully qualified its first product based on carbon fibre and advanced PVDF polymer

PVDF is a high performance polymer with a 30-year design life and a proven smaller carbon footprint compared to steel. Offering total corrosion resistance, it is highly suitable for injecting CO2 offshore, both in depleted gas fields and aquifers. With a long track-record in oil and gas, PVDF also has a very high chemical resistance and higher temperature capability.

Potential to withstand high temperatures and pressures

It is also strong enough to withstand the high temperatures and high pressures associated with ultra-deepwater hydrocarbon production, and provides a high level of natural insulation. As well as its potential for CCS applications, Strohm’s new TCP product could also revolutionise the deepwater flowline and riser market in the offshore energy industry.

Martin van Onna, Strohm CEO, said, “This is a hugely momentous breakthrough for the company, one that has been a long time coming. It has taken us more than 15 years, a lot of hard work and a huge amount of testing to get to a place where we are now able to offer a TCP product based on carbon fibre and PVDF.

“There is a big future for this innovative solution, both in CCS and in conventional offshore energy, and we look forward to working with companies to help them realise the value that TCP can bring to their projects.”

Since 1984, STI has offered assistance and services to the water, power, petrochemical, and oil & gas sectors. (Image source: Cleanova)

Cleanova, the licenced distributor of Plenty and Dollinger filtering products in Saudi Arabia, has extended its long-standing cooperation with Saudi Technic Industries (STI). According to the agreement, STI will still be a recognised provider of aftermarket services and Dollinger filtration, Plenty process filtration, and Plenty strainers.

Cleanova, which was founded in October 2023, has revolutionised the filtration industry by putting the needs of its clients first and providing cutting-edge filtration solutions that increase productivity, lower emissions, and minimise waste. Customers that are managing the energy transition are showing a particular interest in their filtration solutions.

Saudi focus

Since 1984, STI has offered assistance and services to the water, power, petrochemical, and oil & gas sectors. Prominent companies including Saudi Aramco, Saudi Electric Company, Saudi Chevron, and Jazan Integrated Gasification and Power Company are among their clientele.

Paul Baker, sales director for Cleanova, said, “With our aligned mission to exceed the expectations of our customers and deliver high-quality products alongside ongoing aftermarket support, we look forward to continuing to partner with Saudi Technic Industries. We can continue to combine technical expertise with local knowledge and experience to provide a comprehensive service to customers in the region.”

Fawzi Aqel, general manager of STI, commented, "The oil and gas industry plays a pivotal role in the transformation outlined in Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030. With over four decades of experience, STI is proud to partner with Cleanova to advance this vision. Together, we will deliver cutting-edge and innovative filtration and separation solutions, setting new standards of excellence and driving progress within the industry."