UAE aims to become a regional hub for scalable, sustainable graphene production with NanoCarbonX partnership

NanoCarbonX has recently entered into a manufacturing agreement with Graphene Star that could potentially position the UAE as a regional hub for graphene production, a material that’s attracting increasing attention in fields like clean tech and energy storage.

Based in Abu Dhabi, NanoCarbonX , a subsidiary of The Nano Company , announced that this partnership aims to support the development of a fully localised graphene manufacturing facility within the UAE. The deal was revealed at the “Make it in the Emirates” event and grants NanoCarbonX exclusive rights to produce Graphene Star’s proprietary graphene technology throughout the country.

The core of this plan is a plant located in KEZAD, the Abu Dhabi industrial zone. NanoCarbonX states that, once fully operational, the facility could produce up to 960 tonnes of graphene annually. Interestingly enough, the design includes capacity for future expansion, indicating that this isn’t just a one-off project but rather a stepping stone toward a larger industrial ecosystem to meet growing demand.

The initial markets targeted include four key sectors: paints and coatings, concrete and construction, polymers, and batteries and energy storage. These are areas where graphene’s usefulness, such as enhancing strength, improving conductivity, and boosting durability, is becoming more evident. For the UAE, this alignment is quite strategic. It connects a rising materials sector with industries already vital to the country’s manufacturing and infrastructure goals.

NanoCarbonX is framing this project as part of a larger initiative to reduce reliance on importing specialist materials. Local manufacturing is expected to streamline supply chains, give downstream industries more reliable access, and make it easier to adapt quickly to market shifts. Plus, the company emphasizes that the plant will also serve export markets, which could elevate the UAE’s role as not only a consumer but also a supplier of advanced materials to neighboring economies.

The project hinges on an investment from The Nano Company directly into Graphene Star. This investment secures access to the necessary intellectual property and technical know-how to produce graphene locally under license. The plan aims for the first deliveries to happen in the second quarter of 2027, setting a clear timeline from agreement to commercial realization.

H.E. Osama Fadhel, Assistant Undersecretary of Industrial Accelerators at the UAE’s Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology, commented that the UAE’s industrial strategy emphasizes developing homegrown advanced manufacturing capabilities instead of depending on imports. In statements shared by NanoCarbonX, he noted that the deal fosters technology transfer, enlarges local production capacity, and boosts expertise, all while supporting job creation and access to cutting-edge materials. The ministry’s focus on industrial sovereignty explains why this project aligns well with their broader policies.

On the environmental front, NanoCarbonX is also highlighting that its manufacturing process is “green,” avoiding harsh chemicals and consuming less energy compared to traditional methods. If these claims hold true at scale, it could lead to a more eco-friendly approach to producing a sector often seen as resource-intensive.

That sustainability angle is likely to resonate in the UAE, where diversification efforts increasingly tie into low-carbon manufacturing initiatives. It also echoes a wider trend across the advanced materials sector, namely, the growing importance of not just performance and cost, but also the environmental impact of how these materials are made.

Anwar Nusseibeh, chairman of The Nano Company, highlighted that this deal marks the transition of NanoCarbonX from development to actual production. He mentioned that they’ve chosen Abu Dhabi as their base, mapped out plans for capacity expansion across four lines, and are targeting initial product shipments in 2027. He also pointed out that an ecosystem of industrial partners is already taking shape around the plant, with applications spanning coatings, concrete, polymers, and batteries.

Marina Starkova, CEO of Graphene Star, noted that her company developed its technology specifically for industrial-scale use. She explained that NanoCarbonX was selected because of its technical prowess and commercial environment, emphasizing that the UAE is well-placed for advanced manufacturing. She even described the project as a potential model for bringing scalable, sustainable graphene production into operation efficiently.

The larger significance of this collaboration really rests in its industrial logic. Although graphene has long been recognized as a promising high-performance material, the hurdle has always been scaling from lab results to production of consistent, large quantities. Having a licensed production route, supported by local investment and an industrial site, could really boost the UAE’s chances of turning that promise into a reliable supply chain.

From the perspective of the UAE’s climate and tech ecosystem, this project isn’t just about what it might produce on paper. It’s also about how it fits into a broader manufacturing strategy. If NanoCarbonX delivers on schedule, the UAE could strengthen its domestic capabilities in a field where many nations still rely heavily on external providers. Such a development could be huge for sectors demanding tougher materials, better batteries, and more resilient industrial inputs, especially as the region’s manufacturing base continues to evolve.