Astra Polymers, a leading producer of plastics masterbatch solutions in the Middle East, has entered into a groundbreaking partnership with Levidian, a UK-based climate technology firm, to advance the development of sustainable, graphene-enhanced plastic products. This collaboration, formalised during the recent Make It in the Emirates conference, is set to revolutionise the integration of graphene into various plastic applications, with a keen focus on the automotive sector and other rapidly expanding industries in the region.
With over three decades of experience, Astra Polymers commands a comprehensive portfolio of additive masterbatches that are designed to improve the performance, processing, and sustainability of plastic resins. The company caters to diverse sectors including automotive, construction, and consumer goods, making it a prominent player in the industry. The partnership with Levidian is particularly timely, aligning with the growing demand for sustainable materials as global concerns about climate change and environmental impact intensify.
Levidian contributes its innovative LOOP technology to this collaboration, which captures carbon from methane to produce solid high-purity graphene along with clean hydrogen. This method stands out as it reportedly possesses the lowest carbon intensity of any graphene production process available, with the potential for net-zero or even carbon-negative outcomes, contingent on the source of methane and the energy mix of the power grid. This technology not only enhances the environmental footprint of the production process but also provides a crucial link between energy and material sustainability.
Graphene itself is considered a marvel of modern materials science, renowned for its exceptional strength, conductivity, and adaptability. Within the automotive industry, its applications are extensive, spanning batteries, bumpers, and even paints. By incorporating graphene into high-density polyethylene (HDPE), the initial focus of their trials, Astra Polymers and Levidian aim to create components that are stronger, lighter, and have a significantly reduced carbon footprint, thus promoting enhanced mechanical performance alongside sustainability.
Yehia El-Azab, CEO of Astra Polymers, affirms the significance of this collaboration, stating, “Astra Polymers is recognized globally for its innovation and excellence in masterbatch manufacturing. Our collaboration with Levidian is an important step toward enhancing our product offerings. By integrating graphene, we can meet the growing demand for high-performance, environmentally responsible solutions — especially in rapidly evolving markets like electric vehicles.” This sentiment reflects the broader imperative for industries to embrace innovation that aligns with sustainable development goals.
The partnership emerges at a crucial juncture for the Gulf region, as the electric vehicle market is experiencing rapid expansion. Notably, Saudi Arabia has expressed intentions to manufacture and export more than 150,000 electric vehicles by 2026, underscoring the urgent need for local and sustainable materials to facilitate this transition. Colin Elcoate, managing director for MENA at Levidian, highlights how this collaboration fits into a broader decarbonisation strategy within the Middle East. “The shift to electric vehicles is central to the Middle East’s decarbonisation strategy. Our collaboration with Astra Polymers showcases how localising the production of advanced, sustainable materials like graphene can enhance regional supply chains, create skilled jobs, and strengthen the UAE’s position in the global EV value chain,” he stated.
In conclusion, the collaboration between Astra Polymers and Levidian not only represents a significant stride towards sustainable innovation in the plastics industry but also reinforces the Middle East’s leadership in clean technology. By integrating cutting-edge materials like graphene, the partnership aims to set new industry standards, enhancing performance while addressing critical environmental challenges.
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Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.chemanalyst.com/NewsAndDeals/NewsDetails/astra-polymers-and-levidian-join-forces-to-pioneer-sustainable-plastic-solutions-36841 – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://www.chemanalyst.com/NewsAndDeals/NewsDetails/astra-polymers-and-levidian-join-forces-to-pioneer-sustainable-plastic-solutions-36841 – Astra Polymers, a leading Middle Eastern producer of plastics masterbatch solutions, has partnered with UK-based climate technology company Levidian to develop sustainable, graphene-enhanced plastic products. This collaboration, formalized at the Make It in the Emirates conference, aims to integrate graphene into plastic applications, particularly in the automotive sector and other high-growth industries. Levidian’s patented LOOP technology captures carbon from methane to produce high-purity graphene and clean hydrogen, offering a low-carbon-intensity graphene production process. The partnership focuses on integrating Levidian’s graphene into high-density polyethylene (HDPE) to create stronger, lighter components with a reduced carbon footprint. This initiative aligns with the Middle East’s decarbonization strategy and supports the growing electric vehicle market in the region, exemplified by Saudi Arabia’s commitment to manufacturing and exporting over 150,000 EVs by 2026.
- https://www.levidian.com/recent-press2/levidian-and-graphmatech-partner-to-advance-graphene-applications-for-a-clean-hydrogen-future-and-beyond – Levidian Nanosystems has announced a strategic collaboration with Swedish deep-tech startup Graphmatech to co-develop graphene-based polymer solutions for the hydrogen sector and other high-growth industries. Levidian’s patented LOOP technology captures carbon from methane to produce clean hydrogen and high-quality graphene, while Graphmatech’s Aros Graphene® technology enables efficient graphene integration into materials like metals and polymers. The partnership aims to accelerate the market adoption of graphene by combining Levidian’s graphene production capabilities with Graphmatech’s dispersion technology to manufacture high-performance polymer-graphene composites for industrial applications, including pipelines and hydrogen pressure vessels, where graphene has been shown to reduce hydrogen gas leakage by up to 83%. Product development will be carried out in the UK and Sweden, with potential expansion into the Middle East, where both companies have established a presence in Abu Dhabi.
- https://www.graphene-info.com/levidian-and-adamant-collaborate-development-graphene-enhanced-composite – Levidian Nanosystems and Adamant Composites Limited have signed a joint development agreement to collaborate on enhancing composite materials with Levidian’s unique graphene. Over the next three years, the companies will work together to incorporate Levidian’s sustainable graphene into a range of composite materials, including fabrics, pre-preg, resin, adhesives, and coatings. The addition of graphene is expected to improve process times and augment physical properties, addressing challenges in various industries such as automotive, aerospace, and wind energy. Levidian’s graphene is produced using plasma chemistry to convert methane into hydrogen and graphene, resulting in high-quality, consistent material with a positive environmental impact.
- https://www.levidian.com/recent-press2/addressing-the-environmental-impact-of-electric-vehicle-tyres-levidians-graphene-offers-a-sustainable-solution – Levidian Nanosystems has conducted early-stage research indicating that its high-quality graphene can mitigate environmental issues associated with tire wear in electric vehicles (EVs). The company’s patented LOOP technology produces graphene by capturing carbon from methane, resulting in a material that positively impacts degradation mechanisms and acts as a crack propagation interrupter, enhancing durability. The integration of Levidian’s graphene into tire components, including sidewalls and tread compounds, is expected to address degradation challenges and improve rolling resistance and vehicle range. Levidian is seeking collaborations with tire manufacturers and research institutions to further explore the potential of its graphene in reducing environmental pollution from tire wear.
- https://www.levidian.com/recent-press2/levidian-partners-with-composite-leader-adamant – Levidian Nanosystems and Adamant Composites Limited have entered into a joint development agreement to enhance composite materials with Levidian’s unique graphene. Over the next three years, the companies will collaborate to incorporate Levidian’s sustainable graphene into various composite materials, including fabrics, pre-preg, resin, adhesives, and coatings. The addition of graphene is anticipated to improve process times and augment physical properties, addressing challenges in industries such as automotive, aerospace, and wind energy. Levidian’s graphene is produced using plasma chemistry to convert methane into hydrogen and graphene, resulting in high-quality, consistent material with a positive environmental impact.
- https://www.recyclingtoday.com/news/global-green-astera-carbon-conversion-group-converting-industrial-plastic-to-graphene/ – Global Green USA has endorsed Astera and the Carbon Conversion Group (CCG) in their project to convert industrial plastic scrap into high-grade graphene. This partnership aims to reduce landfill usage and carbon emissions by transforming unrecyclable industrial and commercial plastic waste into valuable commodities like graphene and graphite. The initiative supports local industries, reduces dependence on imported materials, and aligns with national sustainability goals, addressing the urgent need to reduce plastic pollution and showcasing a viable path to converting waste into resources that benefit both the planet and the economy.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
10
Notes:
The narrative was published on 23 May 2025, with no prior appearances found. The partnership announcement is recent and not recycled. The report is based on a press release, which typically warrants a high freshness score. No discrepancies in figures, dates, or quotes were identified. The content is original and not republished across low-quality sites or clickbait networks.
Quotes check
Score:
10
Notes:
The direct quotes from Yehia El-Azab and Colin Elcoate are unique to this report, with no earlier usage found. No identical quotes appear in earlier material, indicating original content.
Source reliability
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative originates from ChemAnalyst, a platform that aggregates industry news and analyses. While it compiles information from various sources, its own reporting is not widely recognized as a primary news outlet. This raises some uncertainty regarding the reliability of the source.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The claims about the partnership between Astra Polymers and Levidian are plausible and align with known industry trends towards sustainable materials. The integration of graphene into plastic applications, particularly in the automotive sector, is a logical progression. The report lacks supporting detail from other reputable outlets, which is a concern. The language and tone are consistent with industry reporting, and there are no signs of excessive or off-topic detail.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): OPEN
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The narrative presents a recent and original report on the partnership between Astra Polymers and Levidian, with no prior appearances found. The quotes are unique, and the claims are plausible. However, the source’s reliability is uncertain, and the lack of supporting detail from other reputable outlets raises concerns. Further verification from additional sources is recommended to confirm the accuracy and credibility of the information.
