Partanna and ADIO partner to decarbonise UAE’s cement industry

Climate tech company Partanna has partnered with the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) to build a new manufacturing facility in Abu Dhabi. The collaboration aims to decarbonise the United Arab Emirates’s cement industry by producing carbon-negative cement, as a sustainable alternative to traditional Portland cement.

The new facility will use desalination brine — a by-product of water desalination — as the key ingredient in its cement production, eliminating the need for the carbon-intensive clinkering process. This method allows Partanna to not only neutralise carbon emissions but also actively remove CO₂ from the atmosphere. The facility is expected to produce up to 3 million tonnes of Partanna’s binder annually, equivalent to around 10% of the UAE’s cement market.

Rick Fox, co-founder and CEO of Partanna, said: “This isn’t just about building a factory; it’s about building a future. We’re creating a roadmap to scale this globally and show that sustainable construction is not only possible, but profitable.”

Partanna’s cement, which meets international building standards, is compatible with reinforced steel and offers enhanced strength in saltwater conditions. The company’s process has already gained recognition, with Partanna becoming the second concrete company globally to have a project registered by Verra, a leading carbon certification organisation.

In a statement, ADIO  said the partnership supports Abu Dhabi’s climate goals and will help drive innovation in the construction sector. The new facility will also serve as Partanna’s regional headquarters and a model for future operations in other parts of the world.

Set to begin operations in 2025, the facility is part of Abu Dhabi’s broader strategy to lead in industrial sustainability, taking advantage of the emirate’s infrastructure, brine resources, and proximity to regional markets.