Saudi Aramco, Baker Hughes JV to Develop Non-Metallic Products

From left to right: Lorenzo Simonelli, CEO Baker Hughes, SVP Technical Services, Ahmad Sa’adi, Wael Tashkandi, CEO Novel. (Aramco)
From left to right: Lorenzo Simonelli, CEO Baker Hughes, SVP Technical Services, Ahmad Sa’adi, Wael Tashkandi, CEO Novel. (Aramco)
TT
20

Saudi Aramco, Baker Hughes JV to Develop Non-Metallic Products

From left to right: Lorenzo Simonelli, CEO Baker Hughes, SVP Technical Services, Ahmad Sa’adi, Wael Tashkandi, CEO Novel. (Aramco)
From left to right: Lorenzo Simonelli, CEO Baker Hughes, SVP Technical Services, Ahmad Sa’adi, Wael Tashkandi, CEO Novel. (Aramco)

Aramco and Baker Hughes announced the formation of Novel, a 50/50 Joint Venture (JV) to develop and commercialize a broad range of non-metallic products for multiple applications in the energy sector.

A ceremony was held Tuesday at the project site to commence construction. It was attended by Aramco’s Senior Vice President for Technical Services Ahmad Al Sa’adi and Baker Hughes Chairman and CEO Lorenzo Simonelli, read a statement released by the Saudi oil giant.

The ceremony comes after both companies signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to create a non-metallics JV in July 2019. Novel’s new facility is being developed at King Salman Energy Park (SPARK), in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province. SPARK is a 50-square-kilometer energy city megaproject which will position Saudi Arabia as a global energy, industrial and technology hub. Initially, the facility will produce onshore non-metallic pipelines – including reinforced thermoplastic pipes (RTP) – from composite materials.

The JV is based on a shareholders agreement signed in February this year during Aramco’s 5th In-Kingdom Total Value Add (IKTVA) Forum & Exhibition. The JV aligns with Aramco’s strategy to seek new opportunities in oil-based products, which not only offer performance benefits but also aims to reduce carbon emissions. It also supports Saudi Arabia’s efforts to expand its commercial ecosystem and promote domestic investment. The new facility will not only create jobs, it will also help foster growth of an emerging and innovative sector in alignment with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, said the statement.

Al Sa’adi said: “Non-metallic products are reshaping the industries and products we all depend on because they are more reliable, cost effective and offer sustainability benefits.”

“The partnership with Baker Hughes reinforces our commitment to expanding the use of innovative non-metallic materials in our operations to drive efficiency and reduce maintenance and replacement costs, while also positively impacting the Kingdom’s economic development through job creation and local expertise.”

Neil Saunders, Executive Vice President, Oilfield Equipment, Baker Hughes, said: “As an energy technology company, we are investing for growth in strategic areas like non-metallics, and our deep background in non-metallic product development will benefit a wide range of industries.”

“Aramco’s vision to expand its product development in the region aligns with our vision to support innovation and manufacturing in Saudi Arabia.”

Non-metallic products are being deployed in a variety of industries, from the oil and gas sector to automotive, building and construction, packaging and renewables. In addition to being more sustainable, these advanced materials make them lighter than their conventional counterparts and resistant to corrosion.



China's Spy Agency Attacks Foreign Efforts to 'Steal' Rare Earths

A sample of antimony is displayed at the Natural History Museum in London, Britain, June 6, 2025. REUTERS/Isabel Infantes
A sample of antimony is displayed at the Natural History Museum in London, Britain, June 6, 2025. REUTERS/Isabel Infantes
TT
20

China's Spy Agency Attacks Foreign Efforts to 'Steal' Rare Earths

A sample of antimony is displayed at the Natural History Museum in London, Britain, June 6, 2025. REUTERS/Isabel Infantes
A sample of antimony is displayed at the Natural History Museum in London, Britain, June 6, 2025. REUTERS/Isabel Infantes

China's Ministry of State Security on Friday said foreign spy agencies had tried to "steal" rare earths and pledged to crack down on infiltration and espionage targeted at its critical mineral sector.

Foreign intelligence agencies and their agents had colluded with "domestic lawbreakers" to steal rare earth-related items from China, posing a serious threat to China's national security, the spy agency said in a statement on its WeChat account without naming any specific country.

The ministry said it had detected attempts by an unnamed country to bypass export restrictions by forging labels, falsifying cargo manifests and transshipping cargoes, where products are routed through third countries before going to their final destination.

Reuters reported exclusively this month that unusually large quantities of antimony - a metal used in batteries, chips and flame retardants - appeared to have been transshipped into the United States via Thailand and Mexico after China banned US exports.

China added several rare earths and related magnets to its export restriction list in early April in retaliation for US tariffs.

The decision rattled global supply chains key to electric vehicles, robots and defense, forcing some automakers outside China to partially suspend production due to shortages.

However, China's rare earths exports rose 32% in June from the month before in a potential sign that agreements reached last month between Washington and Beijing to free up the flow of the metals are bearing fruit.