By localising production, Stellantis is contributing to job creation, skill development, and technology transfer in Egypt. (Image source: Stellantis)

Stellantis Middle East and Africa (MEA), has continued its regional expansion through the launch and local assembly of the Jeep Grand Cherokee L in Egypt at the Arab American Vehicles (AAV) plant, affiliated with the Arab Organisation for Industrialisation

“This launch marks a crucial step in our Dare Forward 2030 strategy,” remarked Samir Cherfan, chief operating officer of Stellantis Middle East and Africa operations. “By restarting production at the Arab American Vehicles factory, we're not just introducing a new Jeep vehicle; we're recommitting to Egypt's industrial growth and solidifying our position in the MEA region. Our goal is to achieve market leadership in Egypt and increase our regional market share to over 22% by 2030.

“The region is very dynamic, and we have ambitious plans. We are aiming to become the No. 1 regional market player with one million vehicles sold by 2030 of which 35% will be electric. We want to move to over 90% regional production autonomy meaning producing in the region for the region, which will position us by far as the most localised player in the region.”

Local manufacturing in Egypt

Stellantis has labelled the manufacturing and bringing of the Jeep Grand Cherokee L to Egyptian lines as a vote of confidence in the capabilities of the professionals in the country and the strength of local infrastructure. It is a move that aligns both with the Egyptian Government’s strategy of enhancing local manufacturing and Stellantis’ MEA Dare Forward 2030 vision, a plan to become net zero by 2038 and being ‘second to none’ in value creation for stakeholders.

“Our extended collaboration with AAV has been instrumental in Stellantis' success in Egypt,” surmised Hesham Hosni, managing director of Stellantis Egypt. “This relaunch of local production not only demonstrates our confidence in Egyptian expertise but also our commitment to delivering world-class vehicles tailored to local preferences.”

E-methane is gaining global attention. (Image source: Synergy)

E-methane, a synthetic gas that holds immense potential for the future of energy, is quickly gaining global attention

Although the commercial production of e-methane has yet to begin, the momentum behind this innovative technology is growing rapidly.

E-methane is produced through a process that combines low-emission hydrogen with a carbon source, such as captured CO2 or biomass. This process results in a synthetic gas that closely mimics the physical and chemical properties of conventional natural gas.

The growing interest in e-methane is driven by its potential to play a critical role in the energy transition. As the world seeks to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels and lower greenhouse gas emissions, the need for low-emission alternatives to natural gas is becoming increasingly urgent. E-methane offers a unique advantage in this regard. It can be used within the existing methane network, providing a way to decarbonise natural gas without the immediate need for new infrastructure investments.

Furthermore, e-methane could serve as a bridge between today’s methane networks and the hydrogen networks of the future. Hydrogen is often touted as a key component of the future energy system, but its widespread adoption is hindered by challenges related to storage, transportation, and infrastructure compatibility. E-methane, which behaves almost identically to natural gas, could ease the transition to a hydrogen-based energy system by allowing for a gradual integration of hydrogen into existing gas grids.

Unlike hydrogen, which requires advanced and costly storage solutions, e-methane can be stored on a large scale in existing infrastructure, such as depleted natural gas fields and underground aquifers. This ability to store e-methane in significant quantities makes it an ideal solution for addressing seasonal energy demand variations. During periods of high demand, stored e-methane can be released into the grid, ensuring a reliable supply of energy even when renewable sources like wind and solar are not producing at full capacity.

The economic challenge

Despite its many advantages, e-methane faces a significant hurdle: cost. The current levelised cost of e-methane is estimated to range between US$50 and US$200 per million British thermal units (MMBtu), which is substantially higher than traditional natural gas prices or landed LNG prices. For e-methane to become a viable alternative to natural gas, substantial reductions in production costs are necessary.

This cost challenge is not insurmountable, but it will require significant advancements in technology and economies of scale. By 2040 or 2050, it is anticipated that the cost of e-methane could be reduced to a level that makes it competitive with traditional natural gas, particularly as carbon pricing and other regulatory measures increasingly penalise the use of fossil fuels.

In the meantime, the first e-methane projects are beginning to take shape. Japan has emerged as a leading proponent of e-methane, viewing it as a critical component of its energy strategy. The country has set an ambitious target: by 2050, 90% of city gas demand is expected to be met by e-methane. This commitment is driven by Japan’s need to secure a stable and low-carbon energy supply, as the country seeks to reduce its dependence on imported fossil fuels and meet its climate goals.

E-methane looks to become a key player in the global energy transition. Its compatibility with existing gas infrastructure, ability to serve as a bridge to a hydrogen-based energy system, and potential for large-scale storage make it an attractive option for decarbonising the natural gas sector.

This article is authored by Synergy Consulting IFA

New technology for manufacturing processes by Zebra. (Image source: Zebra)

Zebra Technologies Corporation has introduced a new range of advanced AI features to its Aurora machine vision software, significantly boosting its deep learning capabilities for complex visual inspection tasks.

This enhancement is particularly relevant as, according to Zebra’s 2024 Manufacturing Vision Study, 61% of global manufacturing leaders anticipate AI will be a key driver of growth by 2029. Additionally, a Zebra report on AI usage in the automotive industry reveals that while AI and deep learning are already in use, there is a growing demand for these technologies to deliver even more advanced capabilities.

The updated Aurora software suite now offers powerful visual inspection tools designed to meet the needs of machine and line builders, engineers, programmers, and data scientists across various industries, including automotive, electronics, semiconductor, food and beverage, and packaging. It features a no-code deep learning optical character recognition (OCR) tool, drag-and-drop environments, and extensive libraries, enabling users to tackle complex challenges that traditional rules-based systems cannot easily address.

The Aurora Design Assistant, a part of the suite’s integrated development environment, allows users to create applications by arranging flowcharts rather than writing traditional code. The software also facilitates the development of web-based human-machine interfaces (HMIs) for these applications. The newest update introduces deep learning object detection and an enhanced Aurora Imaging Copilot companion application, which features a dedicated workspace for training deep learning models in object detection. Additional add-ons are available to support the training and deployment of deep learning models using NVIDIA and Intel GPU cards.

New advancements

Aurora Vision Studio offers a flexible, hardware-agnostic software platform that assists engineers in developing, integrating, and overseeing machine vision applications. The software’s user-friendly graphical interface allows the creation of complex vision applications without the need for coding, using over 3,000 pre-configured filters. The latest improvements include a new training engine designed to optimise results from low-quality datasets, along with support for Linux systems when performing inference tasks.

For developers working in C++, C#, and Python, the Aurora Imaging Library provides a comprehensive set of tools for processing and analysing 2D images and 3D data, employing both traditional methods and deep learning techniques. New additions to the library include anomaly detection tools designed for defect and assembly verification, using unsupervised deep learning. The OCR tool has also been upgraded to recognise a wider range of characters and symbols, leveraging a pre-trained deep neural network without the need for specific font instructions.

“Manufacturers across many industries face longstanding quality issues and new challenges with advances in materials and sectors such as automotive and electronics,” said Donato Montanari, vice president and general manager, Machine Vision, Zebra Technologies. “They are looking for new solutions that complement and expand their current toolbox with AI capabilities needed for more effective visual inspection, particularly in complex use cases.” 

The 4th edition of the PPP MENA Forum is set to take place on 10-11, 2024, at the Jumeirah Emirates Towers in Dubai. (Image source: PPP MENA Forum)

The 4th edition of the PPP MENA Forum is set to take place on 10-11, 2024, at the Jumeirah Emirates Towers in Dubai.

Organised by Great Minds Event Management, this premier event will bring together senior Public-Private Partnership (PPP) regulators from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Oman under one roof for the first time, marking a historic moment in the advancement of PPP frameworks across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.

This high-profile gathering will feature policymakers, investors, business leaders, and other influential stakeholders dedicated to advancing PPP initiatives across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. The forum's strategic importance is underscored by its role in facilitating meaningful dialogues and fostering impactful collaborations. The forum aims to showcase and announce groundbreaking projects from these key regions.

The forum will be attended by a diverse group of participants, including policymakers, investors, business leaders, and other influential stakeholders dedicated to fostering sustainable development through PPPs. These attendees represent a range of sectors, underscoring the forum’s broad relevance and its role in facilitating strategic collaborations.

Nasser Massoud, Founder and Managing Director of Concept Realisation and WAPPP Chair for the Social Sector PPPs Chapter in the UAE, shared his thoughts: “The 4th PPP MENA Forum is more than just an event; it's a crucible for transformative ideas and partnerships that drive the social and economic progress of our region. Bringing together such a high calibre of leaders and decision-makers under one roof not only amplifies the impact of our discussions but also accelerates the implementation of innovative PPP projects that can benefit millions.”

The 4th PPP MENA forum will also feature a dynamic agenda delivered by a distinguished lineup of subject expert speakers who will provide valuable insights into the latest developments and strategic trends in PPPs. This gathering is a unique opportunity for attendees to network with top policymakers and industry leaders, thereby enhancing their understanding of the evolving PPP landscape and exploring new opportunities. The organisers are also proud to announce that the Khaled Alrubaian as a speaker from NCP Saudi Arabia is among the key speakers, reinforcing the event's significance.

Topics covered in the forum include the future of PPPs in the MENA region, Challenges and opportunities in financing PPP projects, legal and regulatory frameworks for effective PPP implementation and there will be case studies on successful PPP projects and their impact on regional development.

The event is sponsored by Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), Kuwait Authority for Partnership Projects (KAPP), NCP Saudi Arabia and various local and international firms specialising in finance, legal, and consultancy services. The support of such prominent organisations is instrumental in driving the success of the forum and advancing the future of PPPs across the MENA region.

The continued evolution of PPPs and their role in shaping sustainable infrastructure in the MENA region underscores the timely relevance of this forum. As stakeholders from across the region gather to share insights and forge partnerships, the impact of their discussions is expected to resonate well beyond the immediate future.