Efforts to integrate carbon capture and utilisation (CCU) technologies into construction in Saudi Arabia’s futuristic Neom city have taken a major step forward as CarbonCure Technologies, Saudi construction firm Abdullah Abdin, and regional gas company Gulf Cryo join forces to deliver lower-carbon concrete for Neom’s ambitious developments.
The collaboration, supported by the Saudi Ministry of Energy, aligns with the Kingdom’s Circular Carbon Economy (CCE) framework and broader Vision 2030 goals. It aims to address the environmental impact of construction by embedding sustainability into projects like Neom and The Line.
The partnership was formalised in Riyadh and builds on a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed earlier this year between Neom and the Ministry of Energy. The initiative will see CarbonCure’s carbon dioxide (CO2) mineralisation technology implemented at Abdin’s concrete production facilities in Ghayal, Saudi Arabia.
Gulf Cryo will supply the captured CO2, which, when injected into concrete during production, is permanently locked into the material through mineralisation.
This process not only reduces the carbon footprint of the concrete but ensures the CO2 remains trapped, even if the material is demolished in the future.
Robert Niven, CEO of CarbonCure, said the partnership will help ‘lay the foundations’ in sustainable construction for Neom’s projects. “We are very grateful to have Abdin as a local concrete producer partner, enabling lower-carbon concrete production with CarbonCure’s technologies at its plant in Ghayal and utilising Gulf Cryo CO2,” he added.
A shared vision for sustainability
Abdullah Abdin’s CEO, Tariq Abdin, praised the collaboration for setting new standards in green construction. “We are honoured to partner with CarbonCure and Gulf Cryo on this groundbreaking initiative, bringing advanced carbon utilisation technologies to Saudi Arabia.”
“This collaboration aligns with our mission to lead in environmentally responsible construction while advancing Saudi Vision 2030. Together, we are setting new benchmarks for green building in the region.”
Gulf Cryo’s Chief Commercial Officer, Georgios Beretsos, said, “Our strategy at Gulf Cryo is to continuously invest and support Neom’s, the Kingdom’s and the region’s goals of localisation and decarbonisation,” he said. “Such innovative solutions play an essential role in advancing these key pillars.”
Tackling embodied carbon
Concrete is one of the most widely used construction materials globally—and one of the most carbon-intensive. Initiatives like this partnership demonstrate how CCU technologies can address the problem by reducing embodied carbon without compromising the material’s performance.
Saudi Arabia’s construction sector is booming, driven by projects like Neom, which aspires to redefine urban living with a focus on sustainability and innovation. By adopting technologies that turn carbon emissions into resources, the Neom development aims to set a precedent for green construction practices across the region.
‘A living laboratory’
Neom, often described as a ‘living laboratory,’ is being pursued as a key part of Saudi Arabia’s efforts to diversify its economy and present itself as a global leader in innovation and sustainability.
Spanning 10,000 square miles across the northwest of the country at a cost of $500bn, Neom is designed to incorporate renewable energy, cutting-edge technology and minimal environmental impact.
The area includes projects like The Line—a 170-kilometre linear city with no cars or streets—and Oxagon, a 7km (4.3 mile) city floating on water.
Despite these ambitions, Neom has drawn scrutiny over allegations of greenwashing, with critics questioning whether its sustainability claims align with its massive resource demands and environmental footprint.
The displacement of local communities for its construction has also sparked controversy, highlighting tensions between rapid modernisation and social responsibility.
Oxagon, Neom’s 7km floating city.
However, defenders of Neom argue that the project represents a vision for sustainable living and a reimagining of urban development in response to global environmental challenges.
They highlight Neom’s commitment to renewable energy, such as its reliance on solar and wind power, and its investments in advanced technologies like green hydrogen production and CCU.
By mineralising captured CO2 within concrete, CarbonCure’s technology can decrease CO2 emissions by approximately 15 kilograms per cubic meter of concrete produced.
Given that Saudi Arabia’s cement industry accounts for about 8% of the nation’s total CO2 emissions, the widespread implementation of such technologies could significantly mitigate the environmental impact of large-scale developments like Neom.
Despite the ambitious vision for Neom, progress has been gradual. As of May 2024, approximately 20% of the project is complete, with over 140,000 construction workers on-site.
The flagship development, The Line, aims to accommodate nine million residents along its 170-kilometer length. However, reports suggest that only a 2.4-kilometer section is targeted for completion by 2030, housing around 300,000 people, with the project set for completion beyond 2045.
