The Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) has partnered with Partanna, a climate tech company from the Bahamas, to establish the latter’s regional headquarters and a cutting-edge manufacturing facility in Abu Dhabi. This collaboration will see Partanna leverage support from ADIO and integrate into Abu Dhabi’s ClimateTech ecosystem at Hub71, a global tech hub that has already facilitated the company’s engagement with markets in the UAE, the Bahamas, the US, and Europe. The initiative aims to revolutionize the $400 billion global cement industry with sustainable, scalable innovations.
Partanna’s Abu Dhabi facility will serve as its flagship operation and regional headquarters, producing up to 3 million tonnes of carbon-negative cement annually—about 10% of the UAE’s cement market. Designed as a franchisable model, the facility will act as a blueprint for expansion into high-growth regions worldwide. Operations are expected to commence in 2025, utilizing the emirate’s infrastructure and sustainable energy initiatives to drive carbon-reduction efforts.
Central to Partanna’s innovation is its ability to turn waste brine, a by-product of desalination, into a cost-competitive magnesium-based cement that actively removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Unlike traditional cement production—which accounts for nearly 9% of global carbon dioxide emissions due to its reliance on carbon-intensive clinkering—Partanna’s process transforms concrete into a carbon sink. This aligns with Abu Dhabi’s broader climate objectives, and the facility will generate Verra-certified carbon credits to support the reduction of global emissions.
The environmental impact of this facility is significant. With a production capacity capable of offsetting 7.98 million metric tonnes of carbon dioxide annually, Partanna’s operations will rival the carbon-absorbing capacity of natural ecosystems like the Borneo Rainforest. This innovation also contributes to transforming waste into valuable resources while delivering sustainable building materials.
Founded by three-time NBA Champion Rick Fox, Partanna’s efforts underscore Abu Dhabi’s role as a global leader in climate tech. Through ADIO’s support and Hub71’s ecosystem, the company is poised to catalyze the global shift toward sustainable construction while anchoring Abu Dhabi as a hub for green innovation.
