UAE to Launch National High-Temp Materials Lab & Research Program

Mubadala Investment Company, Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA), Strata Manufacturing, and Khalifa University of Science and Technology have entered into a landmark agreement to establish the UAE's first national laboratory and research programme focused on high-temperature materials. This collaboration brings together leading entities in the UAE's industrial, academic, and research sectors to advance the nation’s capabilities in materials science.

Cutting-edge Research Facility at Khalifa University

The new state-of-the-art research facility will be housed at Khalifa University’s main campus in Abu Dhabi. This facility is set to significantly enhance the UAE's capacity to conduct high-temperature materials research, both for industrial applications and academic exploration. Currently, such research must be carried out overseas, making this development a major milestone in building local expertise.

Building Strong Industry-Academia Partnerships

A central objective of this initiative is to foster long-term strategic partnerships between academia and industry. By actively engaging both sectors, the programme aims to drive successful, multidisciplinary, and advanced research and development (R&D) efforts. These collaborations are expected to have a lasting impact on the UAE's industrial and academic landscapes.

EGA's Focus on Industrial Applications

EGA plans to utilize the laboratory and its associated research programme to explore practical applications in areas such as refractories, carbon-based materials, anode baking furnaces, and waste management. Specifically, the research will focus on capturing and recovering heat energy from industrial processes, improving energy efficiency, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. With aluminium smelting processes losing up to half of their energy as waste heat, the focus on energy recovery is crucial for EGA’s operational sustainability.

Abdulnasser Bin Kalban, Chief Executive Officer of Emirates Global Aluminium, said: “At EGA, one of our core values is to continuously improve our business and operations through innovation. This new state-of-the-art laboratory and research programme will strengthen the UAE's position as a leader in industrial technology development and drive forward the country’s Operation 300bn industrial growth strategy. For EGA, it means we can conduct even more of our practical research here in the UAE, solving challenges locally and contributing to the UAE’s research capabilities. I look forward to some ground-breaking results from this collaboration.”

His Excellency Prof. Ebrahim Al Hajri, President, Khalifa University, said: “We are glad to see the enduring and fruitful relationship with Emirates Global Aluminium, Mubadala Investment Company, and Strata. Manufacturing remains cemented through the development of capability and capacity at Khalifa University. The trust of the industry in Khalifa University to provide localized solutions and adapt to their unique industrial challenges is a testament to the advanced and applied research competencies that the university offers. This achievement is a result of over a decade of collaboration with our industrial partners, which has enabled us to build capacity and gain a deeper understanding of industrial needs. Today, we are cementing that trust and confidence from the industry by localizing research, development, and innovation in the UAE. We look forward to seeing industries across the region and globally follow suit as we continue to provide tailored solutions and adapt to industry trends."

Mubadala's Commitment to National Research Priorities

Mubadala Investment Company is dedicated to launching advanced R&D programmes aimed at addressing areas of critical national importance. By focusing on applied research, the company seeks to develop solutions in technology fields that are essential for the UAE’s growth. Furthermore, Mubadala is committed to nurturing local talent by developing the next generation of UAE scientists, technologists, and innovators for careers in R&D.

EGA’s Environmental Sustainability Goals

In line with the UAE’s Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative, EGA has set ambitious goals to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. This aligns with the company's roadmap for decarbonizing its operations. EGA’s ongoing research aims to contribute significantly to these efforts by identifying new ways to enhance energy efficiency and reduce environmental impacts.

Innovative Solutions for Aluminium Industry By-products

EGA has been at the forefront of finding productive uses for by-products generated from aluminium production. Over the past decade, the company has successfully developed processes to recycle and repurpose waste materials such as bauxite residue, spent pot lining, carbon dust, and dross. These efforts contribute to the circular economy and minimize waste in the industry.

Collaborations with Leading Academic Institutions

EGA’s commitment to innovation is further demonstrated through its extensive partnerships with universities both within the UAE and internationally. These collaborations include institutions like Khalifa University, the American University of Sharjah, the Rochester Institute of Technology, and Abu Dhabi University, among others. International academic collaborations extend to universities such as the University of Auckland, the University of New South Wales, and MIT, reinforcing the global reach of EGA’s R&D efforts.