The second day of the Make it in the Emirates forum resulted in a raft of manufacturing-focused agreements, spanning satellite manufacturing, EV materials, and more. The first day also brought in a slew of agreements in manufacturing across several sectors like oilfield services, pharma, and agritech.

Part of a larger push: The UAE is set to pump AED 40 bn (c. USD 10.9 bn) into its industrial base over the next five years, in a bid to grow the sector and localize supply chains.

SATELLITE MANUFACTURING-

Space42 and Adio partner to localize commercial SAR satellite production in Abu Dhabi: The Abu Dhabi Investment Office (Adio) has partnered up with spacetech firm Space42 to establish Space42 Space Systems, a facility that will design, assemble, and test SAR satellites for Earth Observation (EO), according to a press release (pdf).

The details: The modular facility will be operated by Space42 and will manage the full assembly, integration, and testing lifecycle, from design to launch readiness. The facility localizes production of advanced EO satellites, marking the first time such capabilities are developed commercially in the region. It will allow the Emirates to independently access and export research and intelligence picked up by the satellite, and will serve as a base to scale up space infrastructure from Abu Dhabi.

Sound smart: SAR satellites provide high-resolution imagery in all weather and light conditions and are used for national security, environmental monitoring, and disaster response.

Space42 has been active this week: Its subsidiary Mira Aerospace opened a high altitude platform station manufacturing facility in Abu Dhabi’s Hameem area this week, with production slated for the second half of the year, Space42 Managing Director Karim Sabbagh told Wam. The 4.4k sqm plant aims to produce over 20 high-altitude drones annually. Space42 invested USD 10 mn of its own capital into the facility, CEO Khalid Al Marzouqi said in an interview with CNBC Arabia (watch, runtime: 3:24). The company plans to prioritize supplying the UAE market before expanding globally. Al Marzouqi said there is potential for a 50% capacity expansion in the next few years, contingent on domestic and international demand.

IN CONTEXT- Space42 plans to launch partial satellite manufacturing in the UAE this year, with full-scale production starting in 2026. The company also partnered with SAR satellite specialist ICEYE earlier this year to support technology transfer and knowledge sharing, and inked an MoU with Edge’s space unit Fada in February to establish a joint venture focused on developing the Emirates’ first sovereign Earth Observation ecosystem.

The UAE is on a satellite manufacturing streak: Orbitworks, a joint venture between Abu Dhabi’s Marlan and US-based Loft Orbital, is developing a 10-satellite Earth observation constellation equipped with onboard AI. The satellites will be manufactured and integrated at the company’s 50k sqft facility in Abu Dhabi’s Kezad.

RAW MATERIALS + CHEMICALS-

#1- H.B. Fuller sets up shop in Rakez: Global adhesives giant H.B. Fuller has opened a new 15k sqm facility in the Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (Rakez), marking a key step in its Middle East expansion, according to a press release. Located in the Al Hamra Industrial Zone of Rakez, the plant will manufacture high-performance adhesives and sealants for construction applications, with built-in flexibility for future scaling.

Fast fact: The manufacturing sector now contributes around 30% of Ras Al Khaimah’s GDP, according to Rakez Group CEO Ramy Jallad.

#2- Borouge taps Rox Motor to develop EV materials: Abu Dhabi-based Borouge has inked an agreement with Chinese luxury EV player Rox Motor to co-develop lightweight, recyclable polyolefin materials for sustainable vehicles, according to a press release.

The details:The materials will be used in both exterior and interior auto components to boost energy efficiency and performance in various conditions, including desert terrain and urban environments. Borough will supply the polyolefins.

#3- Adnoc Refining will supply Emirates Global Aluminum (EGA) with up to 1.5 mn tons of calcined petroleum coke (petcoke) under a AED 1.8 bn, five-year agreement, according to a press release.

Petcoke? Petcoke is a primary raw material used in the aluminum production process, and Adnoc Refining will supply a minimum of 30% of EGA’s annual calcined petcoke requirements from its Ruwais refinery to help boost aluminum exports and reduce reliance on imports.

ALSO- Schneider Electric will deploy smart manufacturing solutions to help local industries improve operational efficiency, reduce emissions, and integrate into global supply chains under an agreement with the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (Adio), according to a press release. The company will deploy energy management systems to accelerate the industrial sector’s energy transition, and will also develop programs alongside Adio to train Emirati talent in digital and industrial skills, with co-funded training for graduates.

Schneider Electric and Adio will also assist manufacturers in adopting smart factory technologies through Industrial Technology Transformation Index assessments and proofs-of-concept.

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