Technology

The Middle East is at the forefront of the global energy transition, with countries like the UAE and Saudi Arabia making significant investments in renewable energy and decarbonisation efforts.

In a recent interview, Technical Review Middle East sat down with Sue Quense, chief commercial officer of industrial software company AVEVA, to discuss the opportunities and challenges in this rapidly evolving landscape.

Quense highlighted the tremendous growth potential in the region, noting the innovative projects already underway. Adding that the company is committed to decarbonisation, Quense said that, “I think the whole world is focused on it [decarbonisation]. But I also think that what you have here in the Middle East is a lot of companies that have built very complex facilities, and so they're able to kind of hit the ground running. These companies are committed to decarbonisation, and this is where we're excited to partner with these companies because we've been with them forever, and now we're able to help them move to a less carbon intensive future.”

Quense explained that AVEVA's tools and solutions are applicable across a wide range of industries, from oil and gas to power generation and manufacturing.

"The beauty of what AVEVA does is that it's applicable across many industries. For oil and gas, our customers are experts, but we have so much experience working with them, understanding what their problems are, and working on things we have solved in power generation, everything from fossil fuels all the way up through wind, solar, hydro."

Beyond renewable energy, Quense emphasised AVEVA's focus on "industrial intelligence" - the concept of connecting people's knowledge and expertise with the vast amounts of data being collected in industrial settings.

"The idea that you'll have tools that can kind of help point them in the right direction, right? And to make sense of all that data, because about 78% of the data that we collect doesn't get used. So first of all, we're collecting a lot of data. Second of all, there's got to be a way to use some of that data, and so that's what we do, is we bring all that together."

One of the key challenges in the Middle East, according to Quense, is data residency and the need to work closely with partners like Microsoft to support customers in the region.

Additionally, the increasing strictness of environmental regulations is driving the need for tools that can help companies meet these requirements. "I think the other thing is that the regulations on environmental environmental regulations are getting more and more strict and so customers need to have a way to figure out if they're meeting these environmental regulations."

The company is also invested in hydrogen. “If we use, we can use clean energy to produce clean hydrogen, or you can use clean hydrogen to produce or you can use hydrogen itself as a fuel."

"The hydrogen industry is not in its infancy, but it is growing, and there's a lot of opportunity for innovation. And so have our tools, along with the knowledge that our customers have.”

As the Middle East continues to lead the global energy transition, companies like AVEVA are poised to play a crucial role in driving innovation and sustainability through their industrial intelligence solutions.

This innovation accelerates PFP system installation in workshops and onsite environments. (Image source: AkzoNobel)

AkzoNobel's protective coatings brand, International, has launched Chartek ONE at ADIPEC, marking a significant advancement in epoxy passive fire protection (PFP) for the energy sector.

Designed as a single-coat, mesh-free solution, Chartek ONE enhances application efficiency and simplifies installation while prioritising health and safety for asset protection.

Chartek ONE is a 100% solids, boron-free two-part epoxy that offers robust durability and multi-functional protection, combining corrosion resistance with cryogenic and hydrocarbon fire protection. Capable of withstanding jet and pool fires for up to three hours, it ensures extensive fire resistance across varied temperatures, making it suitable for multiple fire scenarios.

This innovation accelerates PFP system installation in workshops and onsite environments, reducing both labour and material costs while meeting fire protection standards. Chartek ONE also offers a solution for sectors with strict weight limits, such as offshore oil and gas, by lowering installed weight, which is often critical for operational efficiency.

Comprehensive offerings

The streamlined application process of Chartek ONE can cut workshop time by up to 59%, delivering cost and time savings across project lifecycles. Formulated to meet stringent standards like NORSOK M-501:2022 Edition 7 and ISO 22899, it is boron-free and has a 100% solids composition, thereby minimising health risks and enhancing environmental safety.

With over 50 years of expertise in PFP, Chartek’s coating solutions continue to excel in the toughest environments, and Chartek ONE adds to one of the industry’s most comprehensive offerings in epoxy intumescent PFP coatings.

Robin Wade, global fire protection manager at AkzoNobel, said, “Chartek stands at the forefront of the industry, offering a comprehensive range of solutions that reflect our heritage and track record of success. Our investment in research, development and PFP capabilities enable us to provide our customers with the best possible outcomes.

Chartek ONE was developed in our Felling facility which is one of the world’s largest UKAS-accredited PFP testing centers for intumescent PFP. Patented polysiloxane modified thio-ether and epoxy technology resolves many of the pain points found in the provision and longevity of epoxy PFP in one simple solution. International is a dedicated partner and through the celebrated history of Chartek, we are committed to excellence in technical support, product specific engineering solutions, and delivering class-leading products.”

Andy Holt, business development manager - Middle East at International, said, “We are thrilled to be introducing Chartek ONE for our Middle East customers at ADIPEC 2024. Crafted to offer our customers superior safety, reliability, and peace of mind, Chartek ONE showcases our continued dedication to sustainability and innovation.

This single coat, mesh-free solution will drastically simplify PFP projects for our customers, minimising downtime and reducing overall project costs. Our commitment to considering the environmental impact of our work is an integral part of the development process. Chartek ONE’s 100% solids, boron-free formula, stands as a testament to this commitment.”

The L120 Electric is a 6-tonne payload wheel loader. (Image source: Volvo CE)

Volvo CE has introduced the L120 Electric wheel loader to the Middle East market.

Designed to match the power and performance of its diesel counterpart, the L120 Electric has successfully passed rigorous testing under the UAE’s intense heat, meeting all operational and durability standards.

Launching the L120 Electric in the UAE and Turkey reinforces Volvo CE’s leadership in electric machinery, showcasing its commitment to providing a robust alternative to diesel-powered equipment. Volvo CE’s strategic focus on equipment electrification underscores its dedication to delivering high-performance, reliable, and eco-friendly solutions.

“Our goal with the L120 Electric was to deliver a machine that not only lives up to but exceeds industry expectations for performance, sustainability, and reliability,” said Johannes Nordgren, product manager at Volvo CE. “Tests in the UAE proved that our electric equipment can withstand extreme conditions and offer customers a sustainable alternative without compromising on power or efficiency.”

Reducing emissions

The L120 Electric is a 6-tonne payload wheel loader, weighing 20 tonnes, built on the proven design of its conventional model.

This electric version matches the power and efficiency of a traditional internal combustion engine, with the added advantage of zero tailpipe emissions, quieter operation, and a more comfortable environment for operators. Equipped with 282 kWh batteries, the L120 Electric offers up to eight hours of runtime for light to medium-duty tasks, making it ideal for indoor use and noise-sensitive locations.

With cutting-edge electric propulsion technology, this model represents a major step forward in reducing both carbon emissions and noise pollution in construction environments.

Acadia supports skills management and development. (Image source: Epicor)

Epicor, a leading provider of industry-focused enterprise software solutions, has acquired Acadia Software, a notable innovator in Connected Worker technologies.

Acadia’s platform empowers frontline employees in manufacturing and supply chain sectors by providing real-time insights and detailed, actionable guidance, helping to streamline operations and improve productivity.

The financial specifics of the deal have not been disclosed.

Acadia’s platform offers a range of benefits that support operational excellence and employee growth. It provides real-time, actionable insights by integrating seamlessly with existing enterprise systems, enabling companies to merge workforce performance data with broader operational metrics.

This approach not only fosters better decision-making but also helps identify opportunities for enhanced efficiency.

Continuous improvement

Additionally, Acadia supports skills management and development, equipping workers with the tools to quickly adopt new processes, software, and equipment. This focus on skill-building contributes to employee growth and career progression.

In line with Epicor’s commitment to operational optimisation and sustainable growth, Acadia promotes continuous improvement by empowering workers to pinpoint inefficiencies, suggest enhancements, and carry out tasks according to established best practices.

“Frontline workers need the digital tools and knowledge necessary to perform their roles efficiently and safely,” said Epicor CEO Steve Murphy. “The acquisition of Acadia furthers Epicor’s commitment to helping businesses across the make, move, and sell industries move beyond simply telling workers what to do, but showing them how to do it effectively to drive stronger productivity and efficiency.”

By integrating Acadia’s capabilities, Epicor customers can empower their frontline teams to execute tasks with precision, providing them with real-time data, digital work instructions, and task management tools that contribute to continuous improvement across their organisations.

“Frontline workers are the backbone of successful companies, and those who can operate independently are more effective, more engaged, and more likely to stay,” said Josh Crone, vice president and chief technology officer at Acadia Software. “Joining Epicor gives us an opportunity to connect even more frontline workers to the tools and know-how they need to work independently, while also providing resources and capabilities to better serve our existing Acadia customers.”