Tripartite initiative advances circular economy solutions in wastewater management by exploring the upcycling of biosolids into high-value advanced 2D materials.
· Pilot study will explore the direct conversion of dried biosolids into graphene and graphene-related materials (GRMs) using non-combustion IVC™ technology.
· TAQA Water Solutions manages 41 treatment centres across Abu Dhabi, treating more than 1.3 million m³ of wastewater daily and generating an estimated 60,000 tonnes of dried biosolids annually.
· Initiative supports the UAE Net Zero 2050 Strategy, UAE Water Security Strategy 2036, In-Country Value (ICV) Programme and Abu Dhabi’s circular economy objectives.
INTRATOMICS Advanced Material Technologies, a Khalifa University Enterprise Company (KUEC) and commercial spin-off of the Research & Innovation Center for Graphene and 2D Materials (RIC2D), has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with MAGMA and TAQA Water Solutions to undertake a pilot study exploring the direct upcycling of dried biosolids into graphene and graphene-related materials (GRMs).
The programme will deploy INTRATOMICS’ proprietary STRAT WX™ Reactor, powered by Instant Volumetric Conversion (IVC™) technology, at its 2DWORKS pre-industrial facility in Abu Dhabi. The pilot study will assess technical feasibility, feedstock suitability, material yields and the commercial potential for scaling the process in Abu Dhabi.
TAQA Water Solutions is Abu Dhabi’s wastewater utility provider, managing 41 sewage treatment plant catchment centres across a 13,000-kilometre network and treating more than 1.3 million cubic metres of wastewater daily. Having achieved significant progress in water reuse, the Company is continuing to explore opportunities to enhance resource recovery and circularity across its operations.
Abu Dhabi’s wastewater infrastructure generates an estimated 60,000 tonnes of dried biosolids annually, requiring ongoing management and disposal. As part of the pilot study, TAQA Water Solutions will provide approximately 400 kilograms of dried biosolids for testing. The study will assess the potential to transform this material into locally produced advanced materials with commercial applications.
IVC™ is a rapid, non-combustion conversion process designed to structurally transform carbon-rich waste feedstocks into graphene and GRMs through near-instantaneous volumetric energy delivery. The STRAT WX™ Reactor is engineered for waste-derived feedstocks, including biosolids, plastics, coke, fly ash and petrochemical sludge, and forms part of INTRATOMICS’ broader STRAT REACTOR™ platform.
MAGMA will support feedstock preparation and logistics to ensure materials meet the specifications required for the upcycling process. The resulting GRMs have potential applications across sectors including coatings, construction composites, filtration and energy storage.
The collaboration brings together a government-linked utility provider, a university-linked deep-tech company and a UAE-based industrial operator. By exploring the production of advanced materials from locally generated waste streams, the initiative supports the UAE’s In-Country Value (ICV) Programme and aligns with the UAE Net Zero 2050 Strategy, UAE Water Security Strategy 2036 and Abu Dhabi’s circular economy objectives.
Fahad Mohamed Rashed Al Absi, CEO of INTRATOMICS Advanced Material Technologies, said:
“This MoU marks a significant step towards demonstrating a circular value chain that connects waste generation with advanced material production. TAQA Water Solutions provides biosolids at utility scale, while our STRAT WX™ platform will assess their potential for conversion into graphene-related materials. Together with MAGMA, we aim to explore a new pathway for locally produced advanced materials in Abu Dhabi.”
Eng. Abdulwahab Sharif, Chief Business Development Officer at TAQA Water Solutions, said:
“This collaboration reflects our commitment to expanding how water utilities create value beyond their core operations. By exploring the transformation of biosolids into advanced materials such as graphene, we are identifying new economic and environmental opportunities from what was once considered waste. Through this partnership, we are advancing our circular economy ambitions, supporting national sustainability goals, and contributing to the development of future-ready industries in Abu Dhabi. Together, we are not only managing resources more responsibly, but also shaping a more resilient, innovative, and sustainable water sector.”
