As the global economy grows, demand for materials is expected to increase. The way materials are made could incorporate new technologies in the future to ensure that economic growth is more sustainable

By Khalid Y. Qahtani, Senior Vice President of Engineering Services, Aramco

The energy transition involves a gradual reduction of greenhouse gas emissions where the oil and gas sector, supported by technological innovations, is expected to contribute by developing solutions towards such reduction ambitions. Yet one area may require special focus: finding optimal material solutions with lower carbon emissions, in high volume applications. At Aramco, we support a pragmatic, balanced, and action-led global energy transition that involves a concurrent “materials transition.” 

The global population is forecasted to reach 10 billion by 2060, and global GDP is likely to increase fourfold , which could signify a consumption increase in energy, fuel, and materials for infrastructure and goods.

Growing demand

Demand for infrastructure and construction materials is expected to more than double by 2060 from 2011 levels . Given that materials production, utilization, and eventual disposal generate almost a quarter of all global CO2 emissions , it may be appropriate to evaluate the way we produce, use, and dispose of materials. 

This could involve using fewer materials, such as replacing emission-intensive materials with more durable substitutes and taking a more circular approach. At the same time, petrochemicals-based materials can support renewable energy infrastructure — with 8 to 11 tons of petrochemicals-based materials potentially needed for every megawatt of installed renewable energy capacity. 

Advanced composite materials, such as carbon fiber, are stronger and lighter than steel and could make cars and aircraft more durable and lighter, meaning they would need less energy to operate. Carbon fiber-reinforced polymers can also reduce the weight of wind turbine blades by about 30%, with greater stiffness, resulting in improved aerodynamics and higher energy output efficiency. 

Innovative approach

At Aramco, we aim to expand the utilization of spoolable pipes in production flowlines made with advanced polymers in place of pipelines made with carbon steel. These are expected to be longer-lasting, easier to install, and release fewer greenhouse gas emissions during production compared to traditional carbon steel production. We’re also exploring new ways to expand the utilization of non-metallics in key industrial sectors such as construction, automotive, packaging, and renewable energy.

Aramco is currently developing possible alternative materials solutions in our own labs, and we are part of a wider collaborative network involving other industry players, universities, and manufacturers. We have also established three centers of excellence with partners in the U.S., U.K., and China. Our aim is to support the market with new materials solutions that offer performance improvement and promote recycling and circularity to reduce waste. We believe such efforts can be relevant for a global energy transition to succeed.

We’re working with NEx, our U.S. Center of Excellence for Nonmetallic Building Materials, in partnership with the American Concrete Institute, on potential areas to expand the use of polymers in concrete, including products such as bendable concrete, microfibers, and polymeric admixtures with the aim of enhancing performance. Similarly, NEXCEL, our Center of Excellence in the Far East, is actively demonstrating advanced technologies across China in key applications including bridges, buildings, pavement, telecom, and railways. These efforts are focused on reducing emissions and expanding nonmetallic utilization to support sustainable progress in the industry.

Aramco is also aiming to help catalyze the deployment of glass fiber-reinforced polymer rebar (GFRP) for concrete reinforcement, instead of the use of reinforced steel rebar. By expanding GFRP’s deployment in relevant projects and supporting critical technical evaluations through the company’s centers of excellence, Aramco aims to accelerate the global adoption of GFRP rebar into design standards and construction practices. Compared to reinforced steel rebar, fiber-reinforced polymer rebar (FRP) prolongs the life expectancy of concrete structures with the added value of reducing greenhouse gas emissions that are associated with steel rebar production and use. FRP is highly resistant to environmental degradation, thereby reducing well maintenance requirements. 

New technologies may also present opportunities to apply circular economy principles to the manufacturing, use, and disposal of materials. 3D printing, for example, allows goods to be made on site with less waste. 

Scaling up

Today, new products and technologies may be more expensive than traditional alternatives, presenting a possible obstacle to widespread rollout. Creating economies of scale can therefore support mass production at a lower cost. End users of materials also need to be engaged – and convinced about the business case – if they are to embrace alternative methods.