SOLAR-

Australia’s ClearVue makes MENA debut with Alutec partnership: Australia’s solar panel manufacturer ClearVue Technologies has signed a five-year manufacturing and distribution agreement with Qatar’s facade engineering company Aluminium Technology Auxiliary Industries (Alutec), marking its entry into the Middle Eastern and Indian markets, according to a statement released on Thursday. The agreement sees Alutec manufacturing and distributing ClearVuePV Solar Vision Glass, which integrates solar technology into building facades for enhanced energy efficiency.

Expect another agreement in the coming weeks: A similar agreement is set to be signed with Dune Trading — a subsidiary of Qatar-based multinational conglomerate Aria Holding — in the UAE “in the coming weeks,” according to the statement.

MINING-

Critical minerals exploration begins at Morocco’s Igli project: UK-based mining company Critical Mineral Resources (CMR) — which sources critical minerals in Morocco — has begun initial minerals exploration work at its Igli silver copper deposit in the North African country’s Anti-Atlas region, according to an operational update last week. The first phase includes geological mapping, locating silver, copper and other minerals, as well as satellite mapping and sediment sampling. “Samples collected during our visits in January and July returned very high grade silver and good copper assays, which along with Igli's location near two important mines, gives us reason to be excited,” CMR CEO Charlie Long said.

REMEMBER- CMR secured an option to acquire 90% of the project last month: CMR signed an option agreement last month to acquire 90% of the Igli project after raising EUR 750k (USD 976k) for the acquisition through convertible loan notes. The company has 16 months to conduct geochemical, geophysical, and drilling activities before making the main acquisition payment.

GREEN INDUSTRY-

Mapei launches its Zero products in the region: Italian construction chemicals manufacturer Mapei Group has launched its sustainable Zero line products in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region, according to a press release published last week. The MEA launch follows a 60% increase in global sales of the Zero product range in 2023.

About Mapei Zero: The Zero line is an initiative to purchase certified carbon credits that counterbalance the emissions released during the entire life cycle — from manufacturing to application, and disposal — of some of Mapei’s construction products, including cementitious tile adhesives, grouts, and waterproofing mortars. The credits acquired — which aim to offset over 10k tons of CO2 emissions across the MEA markets.— will support forestry protection projects.

Mapei is already active in the region: Mapei completed the first phase of its USD 25 mn factory in Egypt last year. The facility has a capacity of 100k tons of chemical products. Mapei also built a USD 20 mn chemical and insulation materials factory in 2022. The company has also installed PV panels in its UAE operations, saving nearly 1k tonnes of CO2 emissions in one year, the statement said.

ELECTRIC VEHICLES-

Mg Developments + Infinity to cooperate on renewables and EV charging: Egyptian real estate company Mg Developments has signed an agreement with Egyptian renewables company Infinity to install and operate electric vehicle charging stations in MG’s development, Al Mal reports. The charging stations will be established in a number of Mg Development's projects, including La Vida in New Heliopolis, Blue Blue in Ain Al Sokhna, and HQ Mall in New Cairo.

Infinity is on a roll: Infinity currently owns 170 electric car charging stations and more than 640 charging points across 14 of Egypt’s governorates, All Mal said. The company provided charging solutions for Mansour MG Automotive’s launch of the MG4 EV in May — including pre-paid cards to use at charging stations or at home EV charger installation — and partnered with SIAC Assets & Facilities Management to install and manage EV chargers at their facilities in March. It also inked a similar agreement with Sodic.

OTHER STORIES WORTH KNOWING ABOUT THIS MORNING-

  • AD Ports completes environmental studies for Congo operations: AD Ports Group has completed an environmental and social impact study for the New East Mole Terminal in Congo as part of a 30-year concession agreement with the Congolese government. The study provides recommendations to enhance the project's social, communal, and environmental performance. AD Ports Group will invest over USD 500 mn, with USD 220 mn allocated for Phase 1, to develop and operate the terminal. (Statement)
  • Tunisia’s parliament approves agriculture credit agreement: The Tunisian parliament’s lower house has approved a draft TND 100 mn (c. USD 32.5) credit agreement with the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development to help protect agricultural land from erosion, manage agricultural water, prevent flooding in large plains, develop forests and agricultural tracks, supply drinking water, and promote sustainable, income-generating agricultural projects. (TAP)
  • Morocco to boost water infrastructure: Morocco is investing USD 25 mn to upgrade the drinking water supply and wastewater management systems in Dakhla as part of a broader plan to address water scarcity through desalination and improved conservation. The projects are expected to be completed within a year. (APA)
  • Iran’s renewables production increases 9%: Iran produced 261 mn kWh of renewables between 21 June and 21 July, marking a 9% increase from the previous month. In the month ending June 20, Iran produced 28% more renewables compared to the same month the year before. This comes on the back of increased wind energy projects which represent 40% of the country’s total renewables capacity. (Tehran Times)
  • VinFast opens first showroom in the Middle East: Vietnamese EV maker VinFast Auto and Bahwan Automobiles and Trading have partnered to open VinFast's first Middle East showroom in Oman’s Muscat. The showroom features several of VinFast’s smart EV models. (Statement)
  • Riyadh’s Hayat Mall becomes first mall in capital with fast EV charging station: Hayat Mall became the first mall in Riyadh to have a fast charging station for EVs, which can accommodate six vehicles simultaneously. The station has a charging capacity of up to 50 kW per charger. (Al Riyadh)
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