DHAHRAN — Saudi Aramco and the American Concrete Institute (ACI) announced on Thursday the launch of the Center of Excellence for Nonmetallic Building Materials (NEx) to develop and promote the use of nonmetallic materials in the construction sector, according to a joint statement. The center will be based at the ACI world headquarters in the United States. The center will focus on accelerating the use of nonmetallic materials and products in construction and will leverage ACI’s role as an authority and resource for the development, dissemination, and adoption of consensus-based standards for concrete design, construction, and materials. Aramco has been developing and deploying nonmetallic solutions within its operations for more than 20 years, as they offer superior lifecycle cost, efficiency and environmental advantages over their metal alternatives, explained Ahmad Al-Sa’adi, Aramco SVP of Technical Services. The potential for using nonmetallic advanced polymeric materials goes way beyond the oil and gas sector, and includes the building and construction industries where there is significant potential. That is why this new center offers enormous and exciting opportunities, he noted. “The center’s mission will be to collaborate globally on using nonmetallic materials in the built environment by driving research, education, awareness and technology adoption. Expanding incorporation of nonmetallic materials and products in the built environment will improve sustainability, contribute to a lower carbon footprint, and enhance the durability and longevity of structures,” said Jeffrey W. Coleman, ACI president. Aramco is a leader in the use of nonmetallic materials in oil and gas facilities to reduce corrosion, weight and the cost of construction and operation, the statement pointed out. The initiative with ACI is said to be part of the company’s broader strategy to enter new markets, leverage its hydrocarbon resources and technology to deliver advanced polymeric materials solutions across industries. Nonmetallic materials are increasingly being deployed across multiple industries, including oil and gas, construction, automotive, packaging, and renewables. They offer several advantages over metallic materials, such as corrosion resistance, reduced weight, increased durability, lower cost, and improved environmental efficiency, the statement said.