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In a conversation with Technical Review Middle East, Stanislav Betin, the general manager of HYPR Energy, a Positive Zero company, provided an in-depth overview of their innovative mobile battery system designed to power construction sites. A key focus was how these batteries are powered by renewable energy.

 Betin explained the evolution of their electric power unit (EGPU), starting with a 175 kWh battery and upgrading to a 423 kWh battery mounted on a trailer. As he noted, "It's very mobile. We can bring it anywhere. We can mobilise the site within three to four hours." This mobility is a crucial advantage, allowing the system to be quickly deployed at construction sites.

A major selling point of the HYPR Energy solution is its sustainability. Betin emphasised that the system is "zero noise emitting, zero CO₂ emitting" and often cheaper than traditional diesel generators. He explained how the company leverages its access to solar infrastructure, stating, "We also couple this product with our access to solar infrastructure across Dubai. We have 500+ different projects, and we are using the credits from those projects, which are accumulated over time. And we use those credits about the batteries. So we try to have this like a circular economy, omitting CO₂ emission at every possible stage."

A data-driven approach

The real-time monitoring and fleet management capabilities of the system were also highlighted. As Betin noted, "Every element of our system, either the charger, battery, a port, even a truck, is IoT connected. So we see the real time location, and we also see all the key parameters for that specific element, like the state of charge and state of health." This data-driven approach allows the company to optimise operations and predict maintenance needs.

Betin acknowledged that the company faces some challenges in scaling up and quickly introducing their mobile battery system to the market. As he explained, "The challenge currently is the speed at which we should introduce the batteries to the market.”

^{Whenever peak power is required, the battery can sustain up to 250 kilowatt output}

He noted that the temporary nature of construction sites requires frequent demobilisation and remobilisation of the battery systems, which adds complexity compared to more permanent solar installations. Betin said the company is working to address this by targeting clients with longer-term construction projects, up to 28 months, to provide more consistent service.

Despite these challenges, Betin expressed confidence in the company's ability to scale up, stating their plans to expand the battery fleet significantly this year, with new batches arriving in the coming weeks. He emphasised the strong demand they are seeing, driven by the booming construction sector and companies' focus on sustainability targets.

OQ, Oman’s integrated energy group, has launched Luban LL-8446.21, an advanced rotomoulding polymer aimed at addressing critical water storage challenges worldwide.

Debuting at Arabplast 2025, the polymer is engineered to produce durable water tanks and storage solutions, with a focus on communities in regions suffering from acute water shortages.

As water scarcity intensifies due to climate change and population growth, Luban LL-8446.21 offers a practical, long-term solution for creating resilient infrastructure. This LLDPE grade ensures durability and reliability, making it a vital resource for water-stressed areas globally.

Rotomoulded articles made from OQ Luban LL-8446.21 provide superior environmental stress crack resistance (ESCR) and weatherability, positioning them as a sustainable alternative to traditional materials. This advanced polymer is designed for durability, ensuring long-term performance even in harsh environmental conditions. It is particularly well-suited for critical applications such as water tanks and agricultural storage, offering reliable solutions for water security.

The material’s advanced processing features enable reduced cooking times during production, leading to significant energy savings for manufacturers. This not only enhances operational efficiency but also lowers the carbon footprint associated with production. Additionally, its lightweight and resource-efficient properties help conserve energy during manufacturing, transportation, and installation.

OQ’s Luban LL-8446.21, a versatile rotomoulding-grade polymer with over 100 global customer approvals, has earned a nomination for the 2024 OPAL Best Practices Award for addressing water and food security challenges. Beyond water tanks, the material is used in applications such as traffic barriers, consumer goods, and durable products. OQ continues to innovate with advanced material development to expand its application scope and enhance performance.

“Water scarcity remains one of the most pressing challenges of our time, and Luban LL-8446.21 reflects our commitment to addressing this issue with solutions that benefit communities and industries,” said Abdul Rahman Al Tamtami, Vice President of Global Marketing at OQ.

“This OPAL nomination showcases the strong impact of Luban LL-8446.21 on both our business and the industries it serves,” said Sadiq Al Lawati, Managing Director of Polymer Marketing at OQ. “It is a testament to our dedication to providing sustainable and high value solutions to our customers.”

Volvo CE has begun integrating low-carbon emission steel into the serial production of all articulated haulers manufactured at its Braås facility in Sweden.

The company said that this move aligns with the company’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions across its value chain, both in machine operation and material sourcing, as part of its goal to reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040.

Steel is a major contributor to the carbon footprint of construction equipment, accounting for around 60% of an articulated hauler’s total mass and more than half of its emissions in the cradle-to-gate life cycle.

Cradle-to-gate is a model that assesses a product's environmental footprint from raw materials extraction until it leaves the factory-“gate”.

Growing sustainability plans

Volvo CE first introduced fossil-free steel in 2021 in partnership with Swedish steel producer SSAB, unveiling a concept hauler made from this material. In 2022, it became the first company to deliver a construction machine built with fossil-free steel to a customer.

Now, Volvo CE is scaling up its efforts by incorporating low-carbon emission steel—produced using recycled steel and powered by fossil-free electricity and biogas—into mass production.

Currently, 13% of the total steel mass in articulated haulers built at Braås has been replaced with this material, with plans to increase this proportion as supply chain availability grows.

This shift is expected to cut Volvo CE’s CO₂ emissions by approximately 13,000 tons per year, a reduction of over 5% within the cradle-to-gate scope.

Rickard Alm, head of Volvo CE’s Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) programme, said, “We are proud to lead the way in the industry and move forward towards minimising our climate footprint across the entire lifecycle of our products. While emissions from product use represent the vast majority of carbon output in our industry, it is important to also act to cut emissions in the production phase, including materials like steel, in close collaboration with our global supply partners.”

Minerals Development Oman (MDO) said it will begin the export of its first copper concentrate shipment from the Lasail mine in Sohar, marking the revival of Oman’s copper mining industry after nearly three decades.

The Lasail mine, located in Block 11B, is operated by Oman Mining Company, a subsidiary of MDO. Producing high-quality copper concentrates with purity levels between 18% and 22%, the mine is set to enhance Oman’s role as a key supplier in the international metals trade. With an annual output of approximately 500,000 tonnes of copper ore, Lasail plays a crucial role in the country’s growing mining sector.

MDO is also preparing to commence operations at the Al-Baydha mine in Liwa between 2025 and 2026. Together, Lasail and Al-Baydha hold an estimated 2.78 million tonnes of copper ore reserves. The initial phase of redevelopment will span four to five years, with ongoing exploration aimed at expanding reserves and ensuring long-term production.

Revitalising Oman’s industries

Oman is aiming to cash in on the growing demand for copper globally, which is being driven primarily by electric vehicles and advanced battery systems.

Mattar bin Salim Al Badi, CEO of MDO, said, “We are pleased to contribute to the rich history of mining in Oman, which has been a center for copper mining for over 3,000 years. With a legacy pioneered by Oman Mining Company since 1983, today we celebrate the continuation of this heritage with the export of first shipment of copper concentrates from the Lasail Mine. The sector has made remarkable strides in exploration and extraction, enabling us to reopen dormant mines and maximise their value. These advancements not only strengthen the sector’s sustainability but also amplify its economic and social contributions.

The export of the first shipment from the Lasail Mine is a testament to our ability to transform challenges into tangible opportunities for growth. We are equally enthusiastic about the forthcoming operations at the Al-Baydha Mine, which will further enhance the value of this project and support the sustainability of Oman’s mining sector.”

MDO is actively conducting exploratory studies in surrounding areas to expand copper reserves. Additionally, the company is spearheading the Mazoon Copper Project, the largest integrated copper concentrate production initiative in Oman.

We're not just a group that created the best lithium silicate hardeners in 2000, we're first and foremost a research team for the protection of concrete surfaces in general.

It’s the most preferred and specified brand by design builders, architects and owners and it continues to set the standard by which all others follow.

Over the past 25 years, we have continued to develop our lithium-based products to bring you a complete range from hardeners to solid & transparent colours, to finishing products as well as lithium-based detergents.

Finishing a concrete surface is a piece of patience and knowledge!

That’s why we have around the world 50 distributors, who are expert in concrete surfaces with more than 100 million sqm experience.

With our research department, we have developed other hardeners, other pigments, other finishing products, other waterproofing products based on different silicates such as sodium, potassium, fluorine, but also hardeners based on colloidal silica, repair mortars that you can colour, but also a range polyaspartic products.

Facility owners from various industries have relied on our unique chemical strengths to make their concrete and masonry cleaner, safer and more durable:

Aeronautic: Boeing, Airbus

Concrete Highway, Landing Strip, Haven)

Manufacturing: Inditex, Louis Vuitton

Car & Truck factories: Scania, Iveco, VAG, Mercedes

Nuclear Site: Spain

Shopping mole: Lotus Shopping

Grocery stores: Aldi, Metro, Gran Mercado, Carrefour, Atacadao

Water & Soda Production: Coke, Utah Juice

Warehousing: Amazon- E-Mag, Nestlé

Commercial: Ikea, Leroy Merlin, Castorama

Healthcare & Hospital, Universities: Brussel’s, Helsinki

Cold rooms & Freezers: Mc Cain

Perfumes production: Dior

Luxury Stores: Hermes

Pharmaceutical: Pfizer

Museum: Guggenheim

This article was written by Convergent Group SA, which is an international chemicals company based in Belgium, specialising in the manufacture of chemical treatments for concrete surfaces. 

The company's global presence includes manufacturing facilities in Belgium and distribution networks serving Europe, Africa, Australia/New Zealand, India, and the Middle East.

AD Ports Group, a prominent player in global trade, logistics, and industry has began overseeing the long-term management and development of a major multipurpose terminal and an accompanying logistics venture in collaboration with local partners in Luanda, Angola, marking a significant step in the company’s expansion across sub-Saharan Africa

Partnering with Unicargas and Multiparques, AD Ports Group has commenced operations at the Noatum Ports Luanda Terminal, situated at Angola’s largest port. The Port of Luanda accounts for approximately 76% of the country’s container and general cargo traffic and offers vital maritime connections to neighbouring landlocked nations like the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Zambia.

AD Ports Group holds an 81% stake in the multipurpose terminal joint venture, while it owns 90% of the logistics venture with Unicargas.

The agreement, a 20-year concession with the Luanda Port Authority signed in April 2024, includes an investment commitment of around US$250mn by AD Ports Group through 2026 for the modernization of the terminal and the establishment of Noatum Unicargas Logistics. This joint venture will provide comprehensive logistics, transport, and freight forwarding services to regional, local, and international clients.

With the terminal now operational, Noatum Unicargas Logistics has also begun trading. The logistics business is making substantial investments in new trucks and systems and will be fully integrated into the Noatum Logistics global network, improving Angola’s connectivity to international markets and driving growth in the national economy.

Based on market demand, AD Ports Group’s total investment in this project could increase to USD 380 million over the duration of the concession, which may be extended by an additional decade.

In late 2024, AD Ports Group also secured two agreements with the Angolan government that provide substantial tax and financial advantages to its operating subsidiaries.

These investments are expected to create thousands of direct and indirect jobs, alongside a focus on training and skill development. The planned upgrades will also introduce environmentally sustainable technologies, ensuring lower carbon emissions.

Mohamed Eidha Al Menhali, regional CEO of AD Ports Group, commented, “With the planned upgrade of Luanda’s multipurpose port terminal, and the establishment of an integrated logistics and freight forwarding business leveraging our Group’s global network and reach, AD Ports Group is positioned to capture the growth in Angola’s container volumes, which are forecast to rise on average by 3.3% annually over the next decade. In line with the direction of our wise leadership, this significant investment by our Group and its partners will strengthen the country’s ties with the UAE and bring jobs and economic prosperity to the citizens of Angola.”

Ricardo Daniel Sandão Queirós Viegas de Abreu, minister of transport, Angola, stated, “The Port of Luanda is the main maritime gateway to Angola, a critical hub for regional trade and an economic lifeline for the region. Our strategic partnership with AD Ports Group, part of a broader effort involving multiple stakeholders, will transform the Port of Luanda into an efficient, high-performance multipurpose facility that transforms our logistical capabilities and drives economic growth across central West Africa. This collaboration is a significant milestone in our mission to modernise infrastructure and expand access to global trade, while delivering a prosperous future to Angola and its partners."