In 2024, a strategic partnership was announced between the King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), OSP (Oil Sustainability Program), and CEER (an electric vehicle company under Saudi Arabia’s PIF). Their joint initiative targets the development of innovative graphene production technologies that utilize petroleum coke a plentiful byproduct of oil refining as the raw material. This collaboration aims to unlock scalable, cost-effective, and environmentally conscious graphene synthesis methods, providing an alternative to traditional graphite mining or expensive precursor chemicals. By repurposing petroleum coke, the partners seek to not only reduce production costs but also address sustainability concerns and add value to what is typically considered a low-value waste stream.
This breakthrough in graphene production technology signals a major leap forward for the graphene industry, positioning Saudi Arabia and its research and industrial partners as global innovators in advanced materials. The involvement of CEER, an emerging EV manufacturer, also hints at vertical integration potentially feeding locally-produced graphene into battery components, lightweight composites, and next-generation electronics. As the global market for graphene expands, such collaborative efforts are likely to set new standards for sustainable manufacturing, while fostering a robust domestic ecosystem for graphene applications. Stakeholders across the supply chain, from chemical engineers to end-users in energy storage and transportation, stand to benefit from these advancements in cost-effective graphene production technologies.