In a first for the Saudi construction industry, materials science company Partanna Global has partnered with Saudi Readymix Concrete Company (SRMCC) on the successful production of carbon-negative concrete blocks in the Gulf. The technology was deployed at SRMCC’s main facility in Jeddah, the largest producer of ready-mixed concrete in Saudi Arabia.
The test-run at the facility utilized Partanna’s carbon-negative binder combined with Saudi Readymix’s existing aggregates. The process used zero traditional Portland cement and emitted no CO2 during production. Globally the cement industry is estimated to be responsible for 9% of CO2 emissions. If cement were a country, it would be the third largest emitter on the planet.
This successful deployment at SRMCC’s plant evidenced the scalable and versatile nature of Partanna’s solution. The technology integrates seamlessly into existing operations, demonstrating its “plug-and-play” capability and the potential for rapid adoption across the industry without the need for extensive new infrastructure.
Saudi Arabia has been actively pursuing large-scale infrastructure projects, with over $1.25 trillion-worth of developments announced since the initiation of its National Transformation Plan in 2016. The partnership between Partanna and SRMCC aligns closely with the goals of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which aims for a net zero future by 2060.
The carbon-negative concrete blocks produced in this trial were rigorously tested by ACES, a leading materials and technology firm. The tests confirmed compliance with the stringent Saudi standards (SASO), underscoring the material’s quality and durability.
