Alternative Sources Could Provide up to 62% of Total Feedstock Needs in Chemical Sector by 2050 

A new study led by a team of researchers from Khalifa University has found significant changes in raw materials used for energy production could reduce global reliance on fossil fuels by about 60% by 2050, presenting more opportunities for a sustainable energy future.  

 

Published in Nature Communications, the study addresses non-energy use of fossil fuels in the chemical industry, and the role of fossil fuels beyond production. A global integrated assessment model analyzed various climate scenarios, revealing alternative sources could provide up to 62% of total feedstock needs in the chemical sector by 2050, with substantial scale-up of biomass utilization and carbon capture technologies. 

 

Titled ‘Unaddressed non-energy use in the chemical industry can undermine fossil fuels phase-out,’ the study estimates approximately 13% of fossil fuels worldwide are utilized for non-combustion purposes, primarily as feedstocks for the production of high-value chemicals.  

 

The research team includes Dr. Pedro Rua Rodriguez Rochedo, Assistant Professor, Management Science & Engineering, and Research and Innovation Center on CO2 and Hydrogen (RICH Center), Khalifa University, as well as Dr. Marianne Zanon-Zotin, Dr. Luiz Bernardo Baptista, Dr. Rebecca Draeger, Dr. Alexandre Szklo, and Dr. Roberto Schaeffer from Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. 

 

As the demand for fossil fuels in energy systems declines, the chemical sector must adapt to ensure continued supply of materials essential for various industries, including renewable energy technologies. 

 

The study highlights three trends in the refining sector, which is expected to become more efficient and technologically advanced due to stricter environmental policies. The overall capacity of refineries will decrease over time, resulting in less oil production whereas new refineries will utilize advanced technology, enabling them to process various types of oil more effectively. Additionally, while the total production of chemicals from refineries will decline, the remaining refineries will be more closely integrated with petrochemical production. 

 

The researchers recommend policymakers consider the complex interdependencies between energy and materials production when formulating climate strategies.  

 

Dr. Pedro Rochedo, said: “The chemical sector has a dual role: while it contributes significantly to carbon emissions, it holds the potential to support deep decarbonization strategies. By adopting innovative technologies and sustainable practices, the sector can play a pivotal role in mitigating climate change. Our results indicate that scenarios with tighter limits on global biomass availability, the use of carbon capture and storage (CCS), and biogenic carbon storage require urgent and large-scale climate action. Additionally, this research not only sheds light on an often-overlooked aspect of fossil fuel use but also provides a roadmap for future climate action that includes both energy and material considerations.” 

 

Alisha Roy

Science Writer

Breakthrough Solutions Address Managed Energy Transition, Advanced Materials and Manufacturing, Water Treatment and Food Security to Support Sustainable Secure Society

 

Khalifa University of Science and Technology today announced 8 research innovations in sustainability are being showcased at the World Future Energy Summit (WFES) 2025, the leading international event accelerating sustainability and the global energy systems transformation that is part of the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) 2025.

 

Organized from 14 – 16 January at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center (ADNEC), WFES is a combination of multiple segments including an exhibition, technology showcase, investment incubator and business forum. The event brings together leaders, innovators and global thinkers to share ideas that are creating the blueprints for a sustainable future. The Khalifa University stand (Atrium – A420) at WFES 2025 will present projects that stand out as breakthrough innovation in sustainability.

 

Professor Bayan Sharif, Provost, Khalifa University, said: “As a research-intensive institution, Khalifa University is pleased to present innovations that are designed to advance clean energy and sustainability solutions for the benefit of the community.  “Our projects, focusing on managed energy transition, advanced materials and manufacturing, water treatment, and food security, are designed to support the development of a sustainable and secure society. This work exemplifies the kind of in-depth research that Khalifa University is renowned for. We believe through these projects, guests and visitors at WFES 2025 will learn about the extent of Khalifa University’s extensive research that are relevant not only to the region but to everyone across the world.”

 

The Khalifa University projects being showcased at WFES 2025 include Novel technologies for CO2 capture, utilization and storage; Sustainable hydrogen production and utilization; Design and development of materials and processes for sustainable fuels for heavy transportation; and the novel AI software SAVE (Stability Assessment, Visualization, and Enhancement) that predicts the stability of power grids.

 

The project on the Multi-Objective Optimization Design of Multi-Pulse Ultra High-Voltage Pulse Power Generator has significance for a number of special applications such as microwave-related applications, water and food treatment. The ‘Novel 3D Printed Structures for Multifunctional Applications’ offer scope for water harvesting devices and thermal management devices such as heat exchangers and heat sinks for electronics and EV batteries.

 

The ‘Innovative Processing route of organic wastes for desertic soils transformations’ has proved valuable in transforming desertic soils into enhanced soils, while Mangrove-mimicked Solar Desalination Device for Freshwater Production with Zero Brine Discharge is used to enhance the water yield as per demand. The Electromagnet Capacitive Deionization Technology can be used for producing pure water from low to intermediate salinity feed streams.

Collaboration Encompasses Career Development, Skill Enhancement, and Contributions to UAE’s Growing Healthcare Ecosystem

 

Khalifa University of Science and Technology and PureHealth, the largest healthcare group in the Middle East, today announced a collaboration to empower UAE National students and graduates in their career development, skill enhancement, and contributions to the UAE’s growing healthcare sector.

 

The Memorandum of Understanding, signed by the partners, aims to provide Khalifa University students and graduates with access to training programs that align with PureHealth’s priorities, facilitate global placements specifically for Emirati talent, and align with the UAE’s strategic goals.

 

His Excellency Prof. Ebrahim Al Hajri, President, Khalifa University, said: “We are delighted to collaborate with PureHealth to enhance opportunities for our students and graduates, particularly focusing on Emirati talent. By collaborating with a leading healthcare network, we aim to develop a skilled workforce that meets the evolving needs of the industry, ensuring that we not only enhance our capabilities but also contribute to the broader vision of health and well-being in the UAE. This collaboration underscores our commitment to increasing our students’ active participation in the private sector representing a significant step towards aligning with the UAE’s objectives to strengthen the workforce with timely skills, eventually contributing to the advancement of the healthcare sector in the region.”

 

Rashed Saif Al Qubaisi, Group Chief Operating Officer, PureHealth, said: “At PureHealth, we are committed to nurturing the next generation of local healthcare leaders, in line with the strategic vision of Abu Dhabi leadership to build a world-leading, self-sustaining healthcare sector here in the UAE. This partnership with one of the nation’s foremost academic institutions not only strengthens our support for local employment but also reinforces PureHealth’s commitment to advancing Emiratization. We look forward to welcoming exceptional Emirati talent into our expansive network of hospitals and clinics, as we continue our unwavering mission to shape the future of healthcare in support of the UAE’s national agenda.”

 

The academia-industry collaboration will enhance professional growth in the healthcare sector through participation in career fairs, workshops, and collaborative research projects. The partnership will also explore opportunities for global placements of Khalifa University students and alumni within PureHealth’s network. Furthermore, the collaboration aims to enhance research initiatives to promote knowledge exchange in the healthcare sector through activities and events.

 

Khalifa University’s College of Medicine and Health Sciences remains at the forefront of regenerative medicine including fabricating artificial tissues, in collaboration with researchers from Harvard Medical School, US, and the University of Twente in the Netherlands. In Fall 2024, CMHS launched two new PhD programs – Public Health & Epidemiology and Biomedical Sciences. The Public Health & Epidemiology Program offers extensive training in quantitative methods such as epidemiology, clinical research and biostatistics in addition to training in artificial intelligence, public health genomics, and the impact of social determinants of health that make the program unique.  The Biomedical Sciences program has a unique focus on precision medicine and AI in biomedical research and enables students to collaborate with expert faculty advisors and leverage these technologies in areas such as diabetes, cardiovascular or neurologic diseases, and cancer.

A team of scientists and marine researchers from Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) and Khalifa University have led the first comprehensive modern sediment survey off the coast of Abu Dhabi, on board the region’s most advanced marine research vessel Jaywun, to explore the effects of climate change on the Arabian Gulf’s distinctive marine ecosystem. The research mission will pave the way for future research opportunities.

 

Launched by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s Representative in the Al Dhafra Region and Chairman of EAD’s Board of Directors, the UAE’s first research vessel Jaywun is equipped with advanced technology and six laboratories to support scientific exploration initiatives in environmental preservation and climate change mitigation.

 

The project was initially launched as part of the expedition under the multilateral agreement between EAD, OceanX, Bayanat, and M42, aboard the Ocean Explorer across the UAE in December 2023. The study aims to uncover critical insights into marine ecosystems and, through mapping of the seafloor, will also shed light on underwater features of the Arabian Gulf along Abu Dhabi’s coast. Future missions on Jaywun, including an extended study off the coast of Fujairah, will continue to build on these findings.

 

Prof Bayan Sharif, Provost, Khalifa University, said: “We are proud to be one of the members of the Abu Dhabi Environmental Research Network (ADERN), launched by the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi. As part of ADERN, the Jaywun research vessel is available to UAE scientists, including our faculty members who can submit research projects to the EAD for execution on the vessel. We take great pride in conducting this first modern sediment survey in offshore Abu Dhabi to gain vital information about climate change on marine ecosystems, enabling us to effectively monitor marine health in the Arabian Gulf.”

 

Ahmed Al Hashmi, Executive Director of the Terrestrial and Marine Biodiversity Sector at EAD, said: “Jaywun enables us to conduct in-depth research on marine ecosystems using sophisticated equipment, ensuring high-quality data collection and analysis. Currently, in partnership with Khalifa University, we are studying marine sediments for the first time to assess the impact of climate change on the Arabian Gulf. The collaboration between our scientific teams is essential, and the results from this research will play a key role in informing future sustainability and conservation projects to protect our vital marine ecosystems.

 

“The primary objective of the survey is to explore the waters of the UAE and establish a baseline of sediment data from offshore Abu Dhabi for the first time. This will enable the researchers on board Jaywun to gain crucial insights on historical and recent changes in the marine environment. The research also covers sediment movement, the impact of storm events, as well as the overall health of oceanic ecosystems. Moreover, the marine chemistry and sediments formed under these extreme conditions provide insights into a future warmer climate.”

 

Dr. Aisha Al Suwaidi, Associate Professor, Earth Science, Khalifa University, said: “Mapping the seafloor and developing a baseline of data on sediments by Khalifa University researchers on the Jaywun offshore Abu Dhabi reveals important details about the strength of bottom water currents, as well as the intensification of storm events. We also aim to combine the sedimentological survey and geophysical data to find out the impact of regional tectonics in the Arabian Sea.”

 

Alongside two marine research analysts from the EAD, the postdoctoral and PhD researchers from Khalifa University’s Earth Sciences Department on the Jawuyn included Dr. Ahmed Abdelmaksoud Ahmed Osman, Omar Abdulrahman Abdulla Aleter Aldhanhani, and Salvador Domingo Rojas Lequerica. Their study will contribute to a larger research project led by Dr. Aisha Al Suwaidi, Dr. Thomas Steuber, and Dr. Mohammed Ali, which aims to explore the unique conditions of the Arabian Gulf during the summer months.  

Congratulations to 62 outstanding individuals who made a remarkable impact in 2024. Their dedication, innovation, and team spirit foster a positive work environment and set the standard for excellence. Today, we honor their achievements across various categories:

The #Khalifauniversity family came together for the End-of-Year Achievements event. It was a night filled with proud moments, inspiration, and laughter as we celebrated the individuals who make KU exceptional.

Khalifa University’s Ankabut Information Technology and Siemens signed an MoU to collaborate on digital transformation and smart campus solutions for the higher education sector. The strategic partnership will cover a pilot project, market penetration, and enhanced research and innovation, in line with UAE’s strategic goals for innovation in education and sustainability.

Khalifauniversity and the Arizona State University (ASU), US, have launched a dual Master of Science program – the first of its kind in the #UAE – with a core curriculum focused on embedding entrepreneurship and #innovation in higher education. They will be mentored for their projects by faculty from both institutions. The Khalifa University-ASU partnership will be supported by the university’s business and investment arm Khalifa University Enterprises Company (KUEC), and the deep-tech incubator Khalifa Innovation Center (KIC).