Partanna's carbon-negative concrete to help transform Saudi Arabia's Diriyah into a sustainable global tourism hub

Climate technology company Partanna has announced a partnership with the Diriyah Company. Both parties are actively exploring the use of Partanna’s carbon-negative building materials throughout the $63.2 billion Diriyah project, as part of a Collaboration Agreement signed recently in Riyadh.

Partanna, founded by award-winning architect Sam Marshall and former 3-time champion of the LA Lakers Rick Fox, has pioneered the world’s first carbon-negative concrete, which avoids emissions during its manufacturing process and naturally removes carbon. Through this collaboration, Partanna is seeking to support Diriyah Company’s vision of establishing Diriyah as a world-leading example of sustainability. 

Three centuries ago, Diriyah served as the cultural and commercial crossroads of the Middle East. It was the birthplace of the First Saudi State and the original home of House Al Saud. Spanning 14 square kilometers, the project aims to transform Diriyah into a global tourism hub. With a strong commitment to sustainability, it is anticipated to attract more than 27 million tourists annually by 2030.

Partanna's innovative building materials will help realize this vision. The firm plans to establish manufacturing facilities in Saudi Arabia, to serve the Diriyah project and others.

The company's proprietary concrete formula, made from recycled ingredients, captures carbon dioxide, and permanently mineralizes it within the material using the power of chemistry. This technology has the potential to address the environmental impact of desalination by converting waste brine, generated by desalination plants, into a carbon-dioxide absorbing, non-toxic, usable material that supports marine life.

Currently, 70% of Saudi Arabia's drinking water comes from desalination plants. If implemented on a large scale, Partanna's technology could remove millions of units of CO2 daily, reduce the amount of brine that ends up in oceans and waterways, and provide increased freshwater support.

The Collaboration agreement establishes a framework for Partanna to supply carbon-removing concrete products and materials to Diriyah Company within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It also sets the stage for negotiating commercial terms for Diriyah Company to purchase these innovative concrete products from Partanna. Furthermore, Diriyah will focus on sourcing most of its building materials within the Kingdom.

Diriyah is a flagship project of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, a strategic framework aimed at reducing the country's oil dependency, diversifying its economy, and developing public service sectors. This collaboration with Partanna demonstrates the Company’s commitment to sustainable development and innovation in the construction industry. The first phase of Diriyah’s masterplan has been awarded Platinum Level LEED for Cities Certification by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). The accreditation in LEED marks the first time a project in the Middle East has received the accolade. Platinum certification is the highest level within the LEED framework and recognises Diriyah’s commitment to a smarter, more resilient, sustainable, and inclusive future

Jerry Inzerillo, Group CEO of Diriyah Company, commented:

“With sustainability at the heart of our vision, we are delighted to sign this collaboration agreement with Partanna. This partnership signifies a milestone for sustainable development and demonstrates Diriyah’s Company’s commitment to best practices at all levels. 

Most importantly, partnering with Partanna will support Diriyah Company’s vision of establishing Diriyah, The City of Earth as a world-leading example of sustainability.”

Speaking on the announcement Partanna’s co-found Rick Fox said: 

"This partnership marks a new era in sustainable construction. Our carbon-negative binder technology is poised to fundamentally transform the way the world builds and represents an environmentally restorative and cost-effective alternative to cement.

Since launching our business at COP27, we have sought to scale our business by partnering with organizations who are committed to less talk and more action on combatting climate change. The world needs solutions like ours and that’s why we’re delighted to have identified a partner in Diriyah that combines vision with decisive action.

The scale of the Kingdom's ambition to create a positive impact and lasting change for its communities is unparalleled.

By transforming cities like Diriyah into powerful catalysts for combating climate change, we are redefining urban development and unlocking remarkable economic and environmental value.

Together we are proving that it’s possible to delink development from pollution. The world is watching, and our journey has just begun."